Blake Shelton is starting to feel the beginning of the end on NBC’s The Voice as he hit the red button this week to add a member to his team at the show’s Blind Auditions.
Tuesday’s (3/22) episode was the final night of the “Blinds,” which meant it was time for Blake to select Team Blake’s final performer. He chose 19-year-old Grace West, who took the stage with a perfect rendition of Pam Tillis’ “Maybe It Was Memphis.”
Blake told ET backstage after the selection, “I gotta tell you, I’m sitting here talking about Grace right now, but my heart swells up, thinking about my journey on this show. Twenty-three seasons, and for the last artist, for me to hit this button for [the last time], I didn’t let it take over, I didn’t show any emotion, but I did get a little bit shook up.”
Later, Shelton sat down with host Carson Daly to reminisce about all the “good memories” they’ve had together over the last 12 years. He said, “I knew coming into this, I would try to take all of those moments in. It’s going by so fast, so when I said that out loud, it became real.”
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Shelton wraps his “Back To The Honky Tonk Tour” this weekend (3/24-25) with shows in Pittsburg and Buffalo, New York, and he’s having a blast on the road with Carly Pearce and Jackson Dean.
Blake told us recently that he makes new friends every night on his tour. He said, “By the end of the night, every night, I have relationships. I’ll never see these people again, probably, but I have my moments with people in the audience, and it’s a blast, and we’re in on it. I love what I do.”
Shelton said in a statement when he announced the tour last year, “There’s nothing like getting out on the road and taking music to the fans. I feel just as excited to step on stage and perform as I did the very first time. I know my tour mates Carly Pearce and Jackson Dean feel the same, and I can’t wait for y’all to get to know them better.”
Blake Shelton: What Country Star Could Replace Him on 'The Voice?'
Dolly Parton: She would be hilarious in the role.
Most people already know that Dolly is quick-witted, very funny, and would be a great chair turner on The Voice. However, she is also very lovely and would have a problem criticizing anyone or hurting the feelings of someone who dares to dream of music stardom. Plus, she is already so busy it’s doubtful she would be able to handle a two-night-a-week TV schedule. Parton does say “yes” to a lot lately, and who knows, maybe she would take The Voice plunge if asked just right by NBC, whom she already has a TV movie deal with.
Brad Paisley: A natural comedian and music expert.
A little-known fact is that Brad was in the running for Luke Bryan’s spot on American Idol before Idol chose Bryan. Brad has always been a funny guy and has even filled in as a host on Jimmy Kimmel’s show on ABC.
Carrie Underwood: She is so loyal to "American Idol."
Carrie is quite faithful to American Idol, which made her the superstar she is today, so not sure if she would take an offer from The Voice as Kelly Clarkson did. However, if she did take a turn in the big red chair, no doubt she would be fabulous at it.
Tim McGraw: Tim's knowledge would be an asset.
Tim would be great in the big red chair if he took over Shelton’s spot on The Voice. With his budding acting career, he does spend a reasonable amount of time in California, so maybe a fit into The Voice would work for McGraw.
Keith Urban: Would Keith swap the Australian 'Voice' for America?
Keith did appear in The Voice Australia for several seasons before he bowed out recently to spend more time with his family. While he is well qualified, we are not sure he would swap one Voice in his native Australia to do the same in America. Urban was also an American Idol judge from 2013-2016.