Texas artists continue to make their mark on season 7 of The Voice. Dallas native Taylor Phelan's soft and graceful style propelled him to Tuesday night's battle rounds, in which his celebrity mentor, Pharrell Williams, picked fellow singer/songwriter Jordy Searcy as a competitor.
The two went back and forth on the show, singing a smooth, harmonious version of The Script's "Breakeven (Falling To Pieces)."
Just before he went on stage, Phelan told cameras he wanted to win the battle for his daughter "to show her you can do anything." That passion paid off: Pharrell chose Phelan as the winner because he correctly communicated his ambition.
Phelan has a flexible range and indie edge; we can't wait to see what he sings in the next round.
Celebrity judge Gwen Stefani saved another Texas artist, Craig Wayne Boyd, during Monday's episode after losing a battle round to competitor James David Carter. Although Boyd's performance of Pat Green's "Wave On Wave" stuck close to the original -- which is generally not a good thing -- Stefani "stole" Boyd to her team.
Boyd doesn't fit Stefani's pop-punk style, so it's an interesting match.
Another North Texas contestant who has turned heads on the show is Luke Wade, who closed out Monday night's episode of the show with praise from all the judges. He could be the one to beat so far -- though we're weeks from the finale.
If you missed Phelan, Boyd or Luke Wade, two more local artists are expected in the upcoming battle rounds: Reagan James, from Burleson, and Kelli Douglas, from DeSoto.
