“The Voice” has given fans another look at one of the most talked-about moments from the Season 30 premiere: Riley Green’s surprise “My Way” collaboration with 19-year-old Joe Henley. The new attention around the performance has viewers once again praising Henley’s traditional country sound.
Henley, from Grand Bay, Alabama, first stepped onto the Blind Audition stage with Travis Tritt’s “Anymore.” His deep baritone caught the Coaches almost immediately, with both Kelly Clarkson and Green turning their chairs early in the performance.
What made Henley’s debut even more surprising was his limited professional experience. The 19-year-old revealed that he had never really played a professional gig before “The Voice,” despite sounding remarkably comfortable on the national television stage.
After the audition, Henley talked about the country singers who influenced him, naming Artists including Keith Whitley, Don Williams and George Strait. But Green noticed that one particular name was missing from the list—his own.
Henley quickly cleared that up, telling Green he simply hadn’t gotten to his “number one” yet. When Green discovered that Henley’s favorite song of his was “My Way,” the rookie Coach decided a normal recruiting pitch wasn’t enough.
Green grabbed his guitar, left his famous red chair and walked onto the stage. Moments later, the established country star and the 19-year-old contestant were singing “My Way” together in an unexpected collaboration.
It was an extraordinary moment for Henley. Before his audition, he had openly talked about being a Riley Green fan. Now, minutes after performing his first major gig, he was standing beside one of his favorite Artists and singing one of his favorite songs with him.
The chemistry between the two also made Henley’s eventual coaching decision fairly easy to predict. Although Clarkson fought hard to convince him to join her team, Henley ultimately chose Team Riley, becoming Green’s first team member of Season 30.
Clarkson still had enormous praise for Henley. After losing him to Green, she told her fellow Coach that the teenager “could win you The Voice.” She also joked that Henley had been so focused on Green that he barely seemed to notice her.
Fans have been just as enthusiastic. Reactions to Henley’s performances have included comparisons to established country voices, while some viewers are already discussing him as a possible contender to go deep into the competition.
Others are thinking beyond “The Voice” entirely. One of the strongest reactions to Henley’s debut has been from viewers saying they want to hear him make records, with one fan declaring that the teenager could be signed before the season is even finished.
For Henley, the attention is remarkable considering how his journey started. In the space of one Blind Audition, the 19-year-old earned two chair turns, performed alongside one of his musical heroes, became the first member of Team Riley and had fans calling for him to land a record deal. Season 30 is only beginning, but Joe Henley has already given country fans a voice—and a collaboration—they clearly want to hear more of.
