Allie Rae walked onto The Voice stage at only 15 years old, but it took just moments for three coaches to realize they were listening to someone with far more confidence and experience than her age might suggest.
The Santa Fe, Texas, singer performed Alannah Myles’ “Black Velvet” during the Season 30 Blind Auditions, blending country, rock and blues influences into one of the night’s most memorable performances.
Riley Green reacted almost immediately.
The first-time coach turned his chair from Allie’s opening note, making it clear that her voice fit exactly the kind of artist he hoped to add to his first Voice team.
Kelly Clarkson soon turned as well, followed by Queen Latifah, giving Allie an impressive three-chair turn.
Adam Levine was the only coach who remained facing away.
But Kelly’s reaction quickly became one of the most interesting parts of the audition.
She told Allie that she could hear a little Dolly Parton in the way the teenager used her vibrato, while other moments reminded her of Alison Krauss.
Kelly also praised the song choice because it allowed Allie to show both her range and the stronger side of her voice.
Queen was just as impressed, describing Allie’s voice as “exquisite” and praising how naturally she handled the song.
Riley, meanwhile, complimented Allie for taking such a recognizable song and finding a way to make it sound different.
Normally, that would have led to a full recruiting battle between all three coaches.
Riley had other plans.
Because he had been the first coach to turn, he was eligible to use Season 30’s new First In Button.
And after holding onto the advantage through earlier auditions, Riley finally decided Allie was the singer worth using it on.
He pressed the button and immediately secured her for Team Riley, preventing Kelly and Queen from having the opportunity to persuade Allie to choose them instead.
The aggressive move showed just how strongly Riley believed in the young Texas singer.
But Allie’s confidence on a national television stage makes more sense when looking at what she had already accomplished before The Voice.
She was not completely new to performing.
Allie had already been singing around Texas venues, including local bars and dance halls, and had begun building experience in front of live audiences before appearing on the show.
She was also recognized in Texas’ local music scene and had competed successfully before reaching The Voice, including winning the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo’s Rodeo Rockstar competition.
Her influences also help explain why the coaches heard so many different styles in her voice.
Allie has cited performers including Reba McEntire, Chris Stapleton, Aretha Franklin and blues singer Koko Taylor among the artists who have influenced her sound.
That mixture of country, soul, blues and rock was on full display during “Black Velvet.”
For Riley, however, there was apparently no need to wait any longer.
He had spent several episodes protecting his First In advantage for the right contestant, and when Allie stepped onto the stage, he finally decided he had found her.
Now Allie Rae heads into the next stage of The Voice as one of Team Riley’s youngest singers — carrying a Dolly Parton comparison from Kelly Clarkson, years of early performance experience and the distinction of being the contestant Riley Green refused to risk losing.
