The Voice Season 21 winners Girl Named Tom shared Sunday (Jan. 30) on social media that the sibling trio's father, Chris Liechty, died following a battle with terminal cancer.
Videos by Wide Open Country
"We just wanted to come out here and say thank you so much for all of your condolences, sympathy, kindness that you've showered us with [through] this whole process," group member Bekah Grace Liechty shared via a social media video post.
The video was filmed before one of the weekend concerts the siblings performed, per their father's wishes.
"He really wanted us to do these shows," Joshua Liechty added. "He was talking about his death, and he was like, 'Do not let my death deter you from doing these shows.'"
According to his obituary, Christopher Wayne Liechty passed away on Thursday (Jan. 27) at the CHP Hospice Center in Defiance, Ohio. He was 56 years old.
On-Air Tribute
Sibling trio and future The Voice winner Girl Named Tom went country while paying tribute to their dad on Oct. 25, 2021 during the competition series' Knockout Rounds.
Members Joshua, Bekah Grace and Caleb Liechty selected Jimmy Webb composition "Wichita Lineman," a song most associate with country music legend Glen Campbell, for their showdown with fellow Team Kelly member Holly Forbes.
"It's a song about a really hard-working man, and we relate to this song because [our dad] is a pretty stubborn man," Caleb told coach Kelly Clarkson and mega-mentor Ed Sheeran during rehearsals. "But he's got this hope."
"Our family has gotten a lot closer because our dad was diagnosed with terminal cancer," Bekah Grace added. "He has such a positive attitude going into every doctor's appointment. It's been huge for us to see that."
Tight blood harmonies from the trio and lush piano accompaniment kept intact the emotional draw of Campbell's orchestral pop meets country storytelling original.
Health Update
The group updated fans on its father's health situation in a statement written before The Voice finale and shared the following day (Dec. 15) on social media.
"As we are writing this statement, our dad is in horrific pain following yet another surgery," the statement reads. "The only reason we are still in Los Angeles is that our parents want us out here, doing what we love. We cannot wait to finally all be in the same room. No matter the result [on The Voice finale], we will be flying back to them as soon as possible.
"Some might think that this is the worst timing-- our father taking such a downward spiral at the exact moment of our success on national TV," the statement continues. "In truth, we feel fortunate and blessed by this joyful distraction."
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The siblings in Girl Named Tom grew up in Pettisville, Ohio and now live in South Bend, Ind. because Joshua's girlfriend is a medical student there. The trio traveled the country in a minivan during its first year as a musical act and has self-released three independent albums.
Girl Named Tom stunned coaches with their blind audition cover of Crosby, Stills & Nash's "Helplessly Hoping" before wowing them again with a Battle Round performance of The Eagles' harmony showpiece "Seven Bridges Road." They've since become the first multi-person act to win the series.
