Joe Henley quickly became one of the young country singers getting attention after “The Voice” Season 30 premiere. The 19-year-old from Grand Bay, Alabama, performed Travis Tritt’s “Anymore” and earned chair turns from Kelly Clarkson and Riley Green.
His deep, traditional country voice made an immediate impression, but there is much more to Henley’s story than viewers saw during those few minutes onstage. Here are three interesting things about the teenager and his journey to “The Voice.”
1. “The Voice” was basically his first real gig.
Despite looking surprisingly comfortable on such a huge stage, Henley reportedly had very little traditional performance experience before his Blind Audition. He revealed that he had never really played a professional gig before appearing on the show.
Instead, much of his early singing experience came through church. Henley grew up singing as part of his grandparents’ traveling truck-stop ministry, giving him a very different musical background from many contestants who arrive with years of club, theater or touring experience.
That upbringing also appears to have influenced his musical taste. Henley has talked about his appreciation for traditional country singers, with names such as Keith Whitley, Don Williams and George Strait among the Artists who helped shape the sound he loves.
2. Riley Green was already one of his favorite singers.
Before his Blind Audition, Henley was hoping for a very specific outcome. He wanted both Kelly Clarkson and Riley Green to turn for him—and that is exactly what happened when he began singing “Anymore.”
During the Coaches’ battle, Henley revealed that Green was already one of the Artists he admired. He also named “My Way” as his favorite Riley Green song, giving the new Coach an unexpected opportunity to make his recruiting pitch much more personal.
Green grabbed a guitar, walked onto the stage and joined Henley for an impromptu performance of “My Way.” Suddenly, Henley went from auditioning for one of his favorite country singers to actually performing alongside him on national television.
3. He became Riley Green’s first-ever team member.
Kelly Clarkson fought hard for Henley and pointed to her previous success coaching country Artists. But the connection between Henley and Green proved difficult to overcome, and the 19-year-old eventually chose Team Riley.
That decision made Henley the first Artist to officially join Green’s team during his debut season as a Coach. But Clarkson’s reaction after losing him may have been an even bigger compliment.
Clarkson told Green that Henley “could win you The Voice,” showing just how much potential she believed the young singer possessed. Fans have also been enthusiastic about his deep, old-school country sound, with some already discussing how far he could potentially go in Season 30.
For someone who arrived without years of professional gigs behind him, Henley experienced an extraordinary first night. He earned two chair turns, performed alongside one of his favorite singers and became the first member of Team Riley. Now all eyes are on what the 19-year-old Alabama singer does next.
