Riley Green Predicts ‘The Voice’ Contestant Everett Bounds Could Become a ‘Household Name’

Everett Bounds made a strong first impression on The Voice with his gritty, unmistakably country vocals, earning a chair turn from Riley Green and a place on Team Riley. But Green saw more than just a promising Blind Audition performance in the 23-year-old singer — he believes Bounds has the potential to become a household name.

Everett Bounds Brings Classic Country Energy to ‘The Voice’

Bounds took on Eddie Rabbitt’s 1980 gold-certified hit, “Drivin’ My Life Away,” putting his own energy into the familiar country classic. The song’s themes of life on the highway and the pursuit of something better offered a fitting backdrop for the California native, who is chasing his own dream of building a career in music.

His raspy delivery and distinctive twang quickly caught the coaches’ attention. Just moments into the audition, Green was already responding to Bounds’ sound. As the contestant approached the end of the chorus, the country singer turned his chair, while the other coaches continued singing and moving along to the performance.

Green remained the only coach to turn around. That single chair turn automatically sent Bounds to Team Riley, securing his place in the competition.

The Coaches Praise His Voice and Stage Presence

Returning coach Adam Levine suggested that Bounds’ country sound made the outcome predictable. As soon as he heard that quality in the young singer’s voice, Levine said, he knew Green would be the coach Bounds would ultimately choose, “no matter what.”

Queen Latifah also had plenty of praise for the audition. Although she couldn’t see Bounds onstage, she could sense the energy he was bringing to the performance.

“You were rocking out there and I couldn’t even see you,” she told him, before asking the audience how he looked onstage. The crowd responded with enthusiastic cheers.

Latifah also found time to compliment another detail, adding, “Very nice mustache too.”

Kelly Clarkson admitted she had become an immediate fan of Bounds’ voice, even though she chose not to turn her chair. Recognizing that his sound made him a natural fit for Green’s team, she praised both his song choice and his delivery.

“I love the song choice. I was singing harmony with you the whole time. I loved it,” Clarkson said.

She also acknowledged the challenge of competing for country singers against Green, explaining that she had tried throughout the season but had lost out each time. Nevertheless, she welcomed Bounds to the show and encouraged him to enjoy the experience.

Riley Green Sees Potential for a Bigger Career

Green made his approval clear, joking that he could practically hear Bounds’ mustache while he sang — and adding that “it sounded great.”

He praised the song selection and the fun energy of the performance, while suggesting that Bounds had the versatility to explore different musical styles. Green said he heard a touch of soul in the singer’s voice before delivering a playful congratulations.

To mark the occasion, Green pulled out a pair of bib overalls and presented them to his newest team member, turning the moment into a lighthearted welcome to Team Riley.

After the audition, Green explained what had stood out to him. He felt Bounds brought a particular kind of energy associated with Eddie Rabbitt’s performance — something he believed his team had been missing. He also praised the contestant’s “radio voice,” suggesting that his sound could translate well beyond the competition.

“He’s one of those guys that you give him the right song, I can see him being a household name,” Green said.

It was a significant vote of confidence for Bounds, whose journey on Season 30 has only just begun. With the Blind Auditions still to conclude, viewers will have to wait to see how far he can go under Green’s guidance.

New episodes of The Voice air Mondays and Tuesdays at 8/7c on NBC and are available to stream the following day on Peacock.