Riley Green believes The Voice contestant Everett Bounds has the kind of voice that could eventually make him a household name.
The 23-year-old California singer made an immediate impression during his Blind Audition, delivering Eddie Rabbitt’s 1980 gold-certified hit “Drivin’ My Life Away” with a raspy, distinctly country sound.
Bounds brought fresh energy to the familiar song, which captures the restlessness of life on the road and the desire to keep moving toward something better. For the aspiring singer, the performance represented his own pursuit of a career in music.
Riley Green Turns His Chair
Bounds had barely reached the chorus when Riley Green decided he had heard enough to make his choice. The coach turned his chair while the other coaches could be seen singing and dancing along to the performance.
By the end of the audition, Green was the only coach to turn, automatically sending Bounds to Team Riley and securing his place in the next stage of the competition.
Returning coach Adam Levine noted that Bounds’ country sound made it clear which coach he would ultimately choose.
“As soon as I heard that country sound in Everett’s voice,” Levine said, he knew Green was the coach Bounds would pick “no matter what.”
Queen Latifah also praised the performance, calling it “wonderful.” Although she could not see Bounds performing from her position, she could hear the energy coming from the stage.
“You were rocking out there and I couldn’t even see you. How did he look? Was he giving it all?” she asked the audience, which responded with cheers.
Latifah also managed to squeeze in a compliment about Bounds’ “very nice mustache.”
Kelly Clarkson Knows He Belongs on Team Riley
Kelly Clarkson admitted she quickly became a fan of Bounds’ voice but ultimately decided against turning her chair.
“I love the song choice. I was singing harmony with you the whole time. I loved it,” Clarkson said.
She explained that competing with Green for a country singer had proved difficult throughout the season and that Bounds seemed like an especially natural fit for Green’s team.
“It’s hard to beat him with country,” she said, adding that she had “fought this entire time and lost every single time.”
Clarkson nevertheless welcomed Bounds to the show and encouraged him to enjoy the experience.
Green Hears More Than Just Country
Green had plenty of praise of his own for his newest team member.
Joking that he could practically “hear the mustache” while Bounds sang, Green told him that it “sounded great.”
He also praised the song choice and suggested that Bounds had much more musical range than what he showed during the audition.
“Great song choice. It was a lot of fun. I know you can do a million different things. I heard a little soul in there,” Green said.
He then presented Bounds with a pair of bib overalls as a playful welcome to Team Riley, adding, “It was a great performance. Congratulations.”
After the audition, Green explained why Bounds stood out to him. He said he sensed a particular kind of energy in the performance that he felt was missing from his team.
More importantly, Green said Bounds had what he called a “radio voice” and suggested that, with the right song, the young singer could have the potential to become a “household name.”
“He’s one of those guys that you give him the right song, I can see him being a household name,” Green said.
Bounds’ journey, along with the other contestants competing in Season 30, will continue after the Blind Auditions conclude.
New episodes of The Voice air Mondays and Tuesdays at 8/7c on NBC, with episodes available the following day on Peacock.
