Dave Fenley took to the Voice stage for a Blind Audition that is going to have country music fans excited about watching the show’s 15th season. The Texas native wowed the judges and brought his own parents to tears with his heartfelt rendition of Travis Tritt’s emotional ballad “Help Me Hold On.”
You may recognize Fenley as he appeared on the eighth season of America’s Got Talent which aired in 2013. He wasn’t known as a country singer during his time on AGT. Instead he chose to cover songs by artists such as the Spice Girls, Otis Redding and Ray LaMontagne. Fenley advanced to the semi-final round of competition, but was eliminated prior to the show’s finale.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2bB_3i2-Rk
Dave Fenley’s appearance on The Voice is a rare second chance for the talented vocalist to get the break he’s been working so hard for. Fenley’s Blind Audition aired Monday night (October 1) shows all four coaches visibly awed by his smooth voice, but only Kelly Clarkson and Blake Shelton turn their chairs for the country crooner.
Clarkson tried to convince Fenley to join her team by using her love for Travis Tritt, her pop-country crossovers and her Texas connection to woo him. But, Fenley’s mom, who was standing off stage, is obviously a huge fan of Blake. Her son made a request on her behalf.
“I have a request of you. My mama wants a neck hug,” Fenley told Shelton. Blake used the request as a bribe for Fenley, saying, “I give some really good neck hugs to my contestant’s mothers.”
Fenley ultimately chooses to join Team Blake, a choice that isn’t a big surprise considering Blake’s success on the show with country artists. Hear Dave Fenley sing “Help Me Hold On” below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynZDdBsA9Rs
“Help Me Hold On” was released by Travis Tritt in 1990 as the second single from his debut album and it became his first No. 1 song. Hear Tritt perform “Help Me Hold On” live in the video below.