A Jackson teen appeared on Monday night’s episode of “The Voice,” and while he did not earn a coveted chair turn, he walked away with high praise from some of music’s biggest stars.
Landon Price, a 17-year-old student at Murrah High School, performed the civil rights anthem “Glory” by John Legend and Common, written for the 2014 film “Selma.” Legend, who returned as one of the NBC show’s three coaches for season 29, said after the blind audition that he was stunned to learn how young Price is and admitted he is “kicking himself” for not turning his chair.
“I always hate when I turn around and find out it’s a younger artist,” Legend said. “Now that I know you are 17, I’m just kicking myself. I should have turned for you. You have a really great future, and honestly, if you come back, you’d have a great future on this show, as well.”
Legend also praised Price for putting his own spin on the song.
“Landon, thank you for performing my song,” he said. “I thought you were very creative with how you sang it, and there were a lot of places that weren’t in the original record that I thought were really cool of you.”
Legend was not the only coach surprised to learn Price’s age after hearing his speaking voice. Kelly Clarkson, in her first season as a coach since season 23, let an expletive slip as she reacted to the revelation.
“I would have thought you were a grown-ass man,” Clarkson said, drawing laughs from the crowd. “Oh, I’ve got to stop.”
Both Clarkson and fellow coach Adam Levine agreed with Legend that Price should consider returning as early as season 30.
“Sometimes, it is important for us to have a little bit more life happening like for us to really understand that message and let it bleed through,” Clarkson said as Levine added, “The way you were able to fool us in thinking that you were at least 10 years older than you are is a testament to how good you are. I just feel like another year comes by, you come back here, and we’re all going to turn for you.”
According to Visit Jackson, Price has been singing since he was six years old. He recently was named Youth Male Vocalist of the Year at the 14th annual Golden Triangle Awards and is a member of Murrah High School’s Sounds of Perfection Marching Band.