The Joy Reunion, a California country trio composed of Robert Easley, Gentry Monreal & Neil Morrison, earned a two-chair turn from Blake Shelton and John Legend on NBC’s The Voice on Monday (Sept. 27).
“We’ve all done the opening act thing for big artists and had the almost’s, but we’ve never achieved the main dream,” Easley admitted ahead of their performance.
As the group entered the stage, Shelton exclaimed, “oh, that’s country! That sounded country.”
The trio gave an impressive country-folk cover of Little Big Town’s “Boondocks,” putting their harmonies and undeniable signature sound on full display.
Watch their epic performance below.
The Joy Reunion is getting the party started tonight! 🎶 #VoiceBlinds #TeamBlake pic.twitter.com/URNxf0MFYA
— The Voice (@NBCTheVoice) September 28, 2021
Following their flawless performance, the trio was praised by The Voice coaches.
“It means a lot of to me when I hit my button for a country artist,” Shelton said. “Because I’m a coach for all kinds of artists on this show but when it comes to country artists, these are who are going to take this thing long after me and keep it going. Keep it on the radio. Country music isn’t just a hobby for me, country music is my life. I live it and breathe it.”
“Like Blake, country music is my life,” Legend added jokingly before the trio admitted, “I can’t believe we got John to turn around.”
“I’m honored to turn for you,” Legend continued. “You all were so fun to listen to. I was thrilled by your voices, by the joy you brought to the stage, and I’m so happy you all found each other and are going to get to be seen by millions of people around the country.”
“I always have at least one country artist that I try to get as far into the competition as I possibly can, and I think 20 out of 20 times, I’ve pretty much have always been able to get somebody in the finale,” Shelton shared.
“I’m amazing, is what he’s saying,” Kelly Clarkson added, before telling the trio why she didn’t turn.
“There’s one reason I didn’t turn. I love the sound, I love the vibe, but I turned for a group called Girl Named Tom, and it would be unfair to you and unfair to them if I had two groups on my team going at it,” Clarkson said. “I’m so happy for y’all. You’re going to succeed, you’re going to do well.”
Ariana Grande then added some commentary and gushed over the trio.
“I think you guys are spectacular,” Grande gushed. “You sound amazing together, your tones blend perfectly, and I’m excited to see where you end up.”
The Joy Reunion were then faced with the difficult decision to choose a coach. They decided to go with country superstar Blake Shelton as their coach.