What could make The Voice even more unpredictable? How about a little yodeling?
Videos by American Songwriter
In another show-stopping episode of blind auditions, 16-year-old Ruby Leigh took the stage to perform a throaty cover of Patsy Montana’s “I Want to Be a Cowboy Sweetheart.” It featured some impressive yodeling from the young singer.
The young performer from Missouri got a four-chair turn from judges Niall Horan, Gwen Stefani, Reba McEntire, and John Legend for the performance.
Legend kicked off the judges’ comments. “I’ve truly never heard anything like what you just did. I loved how clear and precise and piercing and beautiful your tone was,” he said. “And then when you started doing the yodeling, it was like, how is a human being able to do the things that you’re doing? You can win The Voice, honestly. I would love to coach you on Team Legend.”
“That was just cool,” Stefani added. “I yodel a lot, but you’re way better than me. There’s just something so powerful being 16, playing the guitar, having a style, like, with the way you’re dressed. And I’m blown away by you and I would love to work with you.”
Horan continued the love fest that resulted from a four-chair turn, saying, “The energy is just insane. You got four chairs for a reason. I really felt like we had a chance against Reba, or not. The control and power that you’ve got at 16 is just insane. You’re really exciting, and I would obviously love you to be on my team.”
McEntire, meanwhile, found a piercing connection with the young yodeler. “Ruby, as young as you are, being a fan of Patsy Montana, I’m a third generation rodeo brat, so Patsy Montana, a country western singer — not just country, there is a difference — I’m very flattered, very proud of my heritage that you’re singing this song,” she said. “Matter of fact, my mama could yodel. And she taught me how to yodel. But I do believe that it would be a great idea if we got the audience’s opinion.”
Leigh ended up going with Team Reba McEntire, a fitting choice for her vocal stylings.
The Voice airs on Monday and Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET on NBC.
Photo by Greg Gayne/NBC
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