He took the stage with confidence and belted out OneRepublic’s “Love Runs Out” with such passion that it caught the attention of three coaches almost instantly. Reba McEntire, John Legend, and Dan + Shay eagerly vied for him to join their team.
Legend didn’t hold back his praise, hailing it as “the best audition we’ve seen,” while Reba admitted she turned her chair based on pure instinct, feeling the performance before even laying eyes on him. When she finally did, she declared, “the package was complete.”
To add to the excitement, Olesen surprised everyone by bringing out his daughter, who also showcased her singing talent. With the band ready to back her up, she charmed the coaches with a rendition of “Put Your Records On” by Corinne Bailey Rae. In the end, Olesen chose John Legend as his coach, igniting cheers from the crowd.
However, not everyone was thrilled. Some viewers of The Voice expressed frustration upon discovering Olesen’s background in a successful band.
“Look him up. He is already an established musician that has been part of a Grammy-nominated band,” one comment read.
“I don’t think someone established should compete. Let someone who has not had the opportunity have the spot,” another viewer remarked.
Despite the debate, Bryan Olesen, known for his stint as the guitarist for the Christian rock band Newsboys from 2004 to 2006, has a notable musical history. Although Newsboys received Grammy nominations during his tenure, Olesen himself was not personally nominated.
Additionally, Olesen has been the lead singer of the Christian band VOTA since 1997, boasting seven albums under their belt. Nevertheless, Olesen’s decision to audition for The Voice is within the rules, and he joins a lineage of established musicians seeking a breakthrough on the show.