Travis Tritt Cover Earns Joe Henley a Spot on Team Riley: “That’s My Boy”
A 19-year-old Alabama singer walked into The Voice with no live-gig experience and walked out as the first artist to join Riley Green’s team.
Joe Henley made an immediate impression during the Season 30 premiere on Monday, September 21, when he delivered his Blind Audition with a country classic: Travis Tritt’s “Anymore.” The performance prompted both Kelly Clarkson and first-time coach Riley Green to turn their chairs, setting up an early battle between the two country-loving coaches.
The moment marked a memorable start for Green, who is making his coaching debut on the NBC singing competition this season alongside returning coach Kelly Clarkson and fellow newcomer Queen Latifah, with Adam Levine also back in the lineup.
Joe Henley Turns Two Chairs With “Anymore”
Before taking the stage, Henley admitted that he was a fan of Riley Green. The Alabama native also revealed that he hoped Clarkson would turn for him, giving him the chance to watch the two coaches compete for his spot.
That wish came true.
Henley told the coaches that he had “never done a gig,” but once he began singing “Anymore,” his lack of stage experience hardly seemed to matter. Both Clarkson and Green quickly turned their chairs, signaling that they wanted the young singer on their teams.
The performance also gave Green an opportunity to connect with Henley through music. After the audition, the two took the stage together for Green’s latest single, “My Way.” Green played guitar while he and Henley traded lines, creating another memorable moment between the new coach and the contestant.
Henley Chooses Riley Green
When it was finally time for Henley to choose his coach, he went with Green.
The decision gave Riley Green his first team member of Season 30 and provided an early indication of the appeal he could have with country artists competing on the show.
Clarkson handled the decision graciously and congratulated Green. She even suggested that Henley could take the new coach all the way to the end of the competition.
“He could win you The Voice,” Clarkson told Green.
For Henley, the choice also made sense given his admiration for the country star. Green had made his interest in working with country singers clear from the beginning of the season, and Henley became the first artist to join him.
The Season 30 premiere introduced Green and Queen Latifah as new coaches, joining Clarkson and Levine. The milestone season began with a three-night premiere event, with the Blind Auditions continuing on September 22 and September 23.
Riley Green Has a Clear Strategy for Season 30
Green did not hide what he wants from his first season as a coach.
His strategy is straightforward: build a team filled with country artists.
“I want to get all of them,” Green said, explaining that he believes a country artist has a strong chance of winning the competition.
Henley was therefore a particularly fitting first addition to Team Riley. His Travis Tritt cover immediately established the country connection Green was looking for, while his performance gave the new coach an early opportunity to put his coaching approach into action.
A Strong Start for Riley Green
Green’s first night in the red chair came with plenty of attention as he competed for artists alongside some of the show’s most experienced coaches. His first successful recruiting effort came courtesy of Henley, whose rendition of “Anymore” gave the country singer his first team member.
For Henley, the Blind Audition was a major step into a competition he entered with very little live-performance experience. For Green, it was the beginning of his first Voice team.
And it all started with a Travis Tritt song.