Riley Green Sees ‘Household Name’ Potential in ‘The Voice’ Contestant Everett Bounds
Everett Bounds made an immediate impression during his Blind Audition on The Voice, but it was Riley Green who seemed especially certain that the 23-year-old country singer had something worth developing.
Bounds delivered a raspy, distinctly country performance of Eddie Rabbitt’s 1980 gold-certified hit “Drivin’ My Life Away,” bringing fresh energy to the familiar song. His performance ultimately earned him a spot on Team Riley, and Green later suggested that, with the right song, Bounds could have the kind of voice that takes him far beyond the competition.
Everett Bounds Turns Heads With Eddie Rabbitt Classic
The California native chose “Drivin’ My Life Away” for his Blind Audition, putting his own stamp on Eddie Rabbitt’s 1980 hit.
The song’s highway theme and restless desire to keep moving toward something better also carried a personal resonance for Bounds, who was taking a major step toward his own goal of building a career as a singer.
Bounds’ twangy, rough-edged vocals quickly caught Riley Green’s attention. Before Bounds had even finished the chorus, Green turned his chair.
The other coaches could be seen enjoying the performance, singing and moving along with the music, but Green was ultimately the only coach to press his button. With no other chair turn, Bounds automatically joined Team Riley.
The moment also came with a sense of inevitability. Adam Levine pointed out that once he heard the country character in Bounds’ voice, it seemed clear that Green was going to be the coach Bounds would choose, regardless of what happened.
That prediction proved correct.
Adam Levine, Queen Latifah and Kelly Clarkson Weigh In
Levine was not the only coach to notice something distinctive in Bounds’ performance.
Queen Latifah praised the singer for what she called a wonderful performance and recognized the energy he was bringing to the stage, even though she could not see him while the audition was underway.
She asked the audience whether Bounds had been giving the performance everything he had. The crowd’s enthusiastic response answered the question for her.
Latifah also found time to compliment another memorable feature: Bounds’ mustache.
Kelly Clarkson was equally complimentary about his voice and song selection. She admitted that she had been singing harmony with him throughout the performance and said she loved what she heard.
Still, Clarkson ultimately did not turn her chair. Her comments suggested she already understood that Bounds was a natural match for Green’s team, particularly given Green’s connection to country artists.
“It’s hard to beat him with country,” Clarkson said, acknowledging that she had competed for country singers throughout the season and had lost each time.
She then welcomed Bounds to the show and encouraged him to enjoy the experience.
Riley Green Hears More Than a Country Voice
Green was clearly pleased with his newest team member.
He joked that he could hear Bounds’ mustache while he was singing, adding that it sounded great. He also praised the song choice and the energy Bounds brought to the stage.
Green said he believed Bounds was capable of doing a wide range of things musically and noted that he heard a touch of soul in the performance.
The coach then produced a pair of bib overalls for Bounds, turning his praise into a playful welcome to Team Riley.
But Green’s most significant comments came afterward, when he explained what had drawn him to Bounds in the first place.
He said he heard a particular kind of energy in Bounds’ performance that he felt was missing from his team. He also described Bounds as having a “radio voice,” a quality he believed could help distinguish him as an artist.
Then Green went a step further.
“He’s one of those guys that you give him the right song, I can see him being a household name,” he said.
Bounds Moves Forward on Team Riley
For Bounds, the chair turn meant more than simply receiving praise from one of the coaches. It secured his place in the next stage of The Voice without having to choose between competing teams.
Bounds is now part of Team Riley as Season 30 moves through the Blind Auditions. The season features Green alongside returning coaches Adam Levine and Kelly Clarkson and fellow new coach Queen Latifah. The Blind Auditions began September 21, 2026, with the competition continuing toward the Battles.
For now, Green’s prediction remains just that: a prediction. But after hearing Bounds’ distinctive country voice on the Blind Audition stage, the coach clearly believes the young singer has the potential to become much more than a memorable contestant.
New episodes of The Voice air Mondays and Tuesdays at 8/7c on NBC and stream the following day on Peacock.
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