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Videos by Wide Open Country
The Voice coaches Kelly Clarkson and Blake Shelton were in for another battle when 19-year-old Rachel Messer from West Virginia stepped onstage for the blind auditions to sing Patsy Montana's "I Want to be a Cowboy's Sweetheart."
The singer immediately won over Clarkson with her incredible voice and yodeling skills. But not long after Clarkson turned her chair for Messer, Shelton did the same. The two coaches were determined to bring the yodeling sensation to their team.
Though Shelton is usually the first choice for aspiring country singers on The Voice, Clarkson wasn't deterred. She even sang (and yodeled) a few bars of the classic country song written and first recorded by Montana in 1935 and later covered by LeAnn Rimes.
"Calling all female country artists: I want to work with you!" Clarkson said. "I heard your voice and I was like, I gotta turn around. It's so beautiful. It sounds like authentic, real country music. I'm telling y'all, there is life beyond Blake with country music."
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Shelton attempted to appeal to Messer's appreciation of country's roots, saying that he's eager to work with an artist with a strong knowledge and appreciation of country music history.
"There's still a hunger and still an excitement for traditional country music out there. You're the kind of artist that excites me because you honor the history of country music before you take a step forward with it. I would be honored to have a chance to work with you."
In the end, Shelton won the singer over. Messer joined a long line of country talent to become a part of Team Blake.
Messer's song wasn't the only country cover to get chair turns last night (Oct. 1). Chevel Shepherd won over Clarkson, Shelton and Jennifer Hudson with her cover of The Band Perry's "If I Die Young." Shepherd joined Team Kelly.
Now in its 15th season, the NBC singing competition has spawned several country artists. Danielle Bradbery, Cassadee Pope and RaeLynn are among some of the country stars who've competed on the show.
Kelsea Ballerini recently joined The Voice as the show's first fifth coach. Ballerini is the coach for the Comeback Stage, which allows her to choose six contestants who weren't chosen during the blind auditions. The top two contestants from the Comeback Stage will return to the main competition for a chance to win.
