‘The Voice’ Season 30: Kyle Davis makes history with a four-chair turn at 61

Kyle Davis waited years for another chance to put his voice in front of a national audience. At 61, the Prince George, Virginia, singer finally stepped onto the stage of ‘The Voice’ Season 30 and delivered a performance that turned every coach’s chair.

His rendition of Peter Gabriel’s “In Your Eyes” earned chair turns from Kelly Clarkson, Riley Green, Adam Levine and Queen Latifah, making Davis the oldest contestant to receive a four-chair turn on the show. He ultimately chose Team Kelly, setting the stage for a new chapter in a music career he had once put on hold.

Kyle Davis returns to music at 61

Before taking the stage during the third night of the Season 30 Blind Auditions, Davis reflected on what the opportunity meant to him.

“I have had success, but ‘The Voice’ is the largest stage you step on to show people what you do all over the country,” he said. “It’s never really too late. You always have to chase the dream.”

Davis had already experienced success in music before appearing on the NBC singing competition. When Clarkson asked what he had been doing before coming to the show, he explained that he had spent a period of his life raising his children. Before that, he had a record deal with producer Phil Ramone.

His appearance marked a return to music after stepping away from the career he had previously pursued. According to TVLine, Davis had left his record deal and touring life behind in the early 2000s to start a family.

That history made his Blind Audition particularly meaningful. Davis was not a newcomer simply hoping for his first break. He was an experienced musician getting another opportunity to pursue the dream.

All four coaches turn for ‘In Your Eyes’

Davis chose “In Your Eyes” for his Blind Audition, putting his own interpretation on Peter Gabriel’s well-known song.

Kelly Clarkson was the first coach to turn her chair. Riley Green followed, then Adam Levine and finally Queen Latifah. By the end of the performance, Davis had all four coaches facing him.

The reaction from the panel made it clear that the performance had made an immediate impression.

Green praised Davis after the audition, while Clarkson wanted to know what had kept him away from the spotlight for so long. Davis explained that raising his children had been a major part of that period of his life, while also revealing his previous record deal with Phil Ramone.

The four-chair turn was more than a milestone for Davis. It also gave each coach an opportunity to make a case for why he belonged on their team.

Kelly Clarkson compares Davis to Peter Gabriel and Bono

Clarkson was particularly enthusiastic about Davis’ voice.

She compared his vocal character to artists such as Peter Gabriel and Bono, pointing to the combination of storytelling, rasp and emotion that she heard in his performance.

As Clarkson continued making her case, Levine attempted to interrupt. Clarkson jokingly told him to “shut up” before continuing her pitch.

She also reminded Davis that she had won the show four times and suggested that she could help him make another deep run on the competition.

Levine quickly pointed out that he had also won the show four times.

The exchange added some humor to what had become a serious battle among the coaches for Davis.

Adam Levine calls ‘In Your Eyes’ one of his top three songs

Levine had his own reasons for wanting Davis on his team.

He told Davis that “In Your Eyes” was among the top three songs he had ever heard. He also said the performance gave him a strong emotional reaction and that he had simply enjoyed listening to Davis sing.

Levine believed their musical tastes had a lot in common, which he felt could make him a particularly suitable coach for Davis.

Clarkson immediately interrupted to point out that she believed they had plenty in common as well.

Levine also emphasized that there were not enough artists like Davis and said he was happy the show had found him.

Riley Green says Davis represents what ‘The Voice’ is about

Green also had high praise for the audition, describing it as a standout performance.

Rather than focusing only on Davis’ technical ability, Green said the performance reminded him of the reason the show is called ‘The Voice’ in the first place.

For Green, Davis represented an artist whose voice deserved to be heard. He told Davis that he was already a huge fan.

Green also highlighted the uniqueness of Davis’ performance, which featured him performing with his guitar and vocal rather than relying on a large production.

Queen Latifah tells Davis he deserved the four-chair turn

Queen Latifah was the final coach to turn her chair, but she made sure Davis knew how much the moment meant.

She congratulated him for continuing to make music in Virginia and acknowledged the significance of standing on the stage after everything he had experienced throughout his life and career.

Latifah told Davis that he deserved the four-chair turn.

By then, all four coaches had made their feelings clear. Davis had achieved the rare feat of having every chair turned, but he still had to make the decision that would determine the next stage of his journey.

Kyle Davis chooses Team Kelly

After hearing pitches from all four coaches, Davis chose Kelly Clarkson.

Clarkson reacted with obvious excitement when he announced his decision.

The choice gave Davis a chance to continue his return to music under the guidance of one of the show’s four winning coaches. It also ended one of the most memorable moments of the Season 30 Blind Auditions so far.

Davis’ four-chair turn was particularly notable because of his age. At 61, he became the oldest contestant to receive that distinction, while also becoming one of the season’s most experienced performers.

His daughter secretly submitted his audition

Perhaps the most surprising part of Davis’ journey happened before he ever stepped onto the stage.

His daughter submitted his audition video to NBC’s ‘The Voice’ without his knowledge. Davis subsequently made it through the show’s screening process and earned a spot in the Blind Auditions.

That unexpected submission eventually led to the moment he had been waiting for: standing in front of four coaches, performing on one of television’s biggest music stages and hearing every chair turn.

After years spent raising his family and stepping away from the music business, Davis now has another opportunity to pursue his career.

At 61, his appearance on Season 30 has already given him a place in ‘The Voice’ history and, with his decision to join Team Kelly, the next part of his musical journey is only beginning.