‘The Voice’ recap: Carson Daly unveils the ‘Carson Callback’ in new Blind Auditions twist

Niall Horan, Carson Daly, Reba McEntire, Michael Bublé, Snoop Dogg on The Voice
Trae Patton/NBC

The Voice is back for Season 28 featuring four veteran coaches. Michael Bublé is the only one back from Season 27, and he’s looking to defend his back-to-back titles with a third straight win. Also looking to remain undefeated following his own double wins in Seasons 23 and 24 is Niall Horan. He narrowly beat out Reba McEntire in her first turn as a coach, but she came back and won Season 25 before handing the crown off to Michael in Season 26. That also happened to be Snoop Dogg‘s first and only time in a big red chair, so he’ll be looking for his first win this time.

Before any of the coaches can set their eyes on the championship, they’ll need to weed through this season’s hopefuls sight unseen in the Blind Auditions. In this first round, the coaches will have their backs turned to the auditioning artists. If they like what they’re hearing and are interested in working with the performers, the would-be coaches can press their button. If multiple coaches turn their chair, the artist chooses which team to join. This season, each coach has one block to keep another coach from claiming an artist.

By the end of the round, each coach will have hand-picked 12 artists to join their team. In a new twist, host Carson Daly has a one-use “Carson Callback,” allowing him to offer one artist who failed to make a team a chance at auditioning again.

Read on for our The Voice 28 recap of the “Blind Auditions Premiere” performances which aired Monday, Sep. 22 at 8 pm ET/PT on NBC.

Aiden Ross

Age: 20
Hometown: College Station, Texas
Song: “Love in the Dark” by Adele
Chair Turns: Snoop, Michael, Reba, Niall
Niall’s comments: “When you hit some of those bigger notes, you hit them with ease and that makes me excited. … I’ve worked with similar voices to yours and had success on the show previously… I think you could be in the final of this competition.”
Reba’s comments: “When you were singin’ and walked towards us, that is not an amateur move. It took me a while to be able to do that… it was mesmerizing…”
Michael’s comments: “You have a beautiful voice and you can tell all four of us were enchanted by it… I’m good at helping to choose songs and I’m good helping you to find your greatness…”
Snoop’s comments: “See that right there? That’s Aiden Ross the boss. So it’s our win and your loss, but what is the cost?… it took me 1.3 seconds… join my team, we’ll win this thing and then after we’ll talk about making your own music.”
Result: Team Niall

Mindy Miller

Hometown: Nashville
Song: “Wildflowers and Wild Horses” by Lainey Wilson
Chair Turns: Snoop (blocked Reba), Reba
Reba’s comments: “I think you’re fantastic. Congratulations for being here.”
Michael’s comments: “If that doesn’t tell you what we think of Reba McEntire and how much of a threat she is.”
Niall’s comments: “You could tell by your voice you’re so experienced.”
Snoop’s comments: “Mindy, I heard something and when I turned around I seen something because I felt something. I knew blocking Reba would be my best chance at getting to you.”
Result: Team Snoop

Max Chambers

Age: 14
Hometown: Shreveport, La.
Song: “I Want You Back” by The Jackson 5
Chair Turns: Michael, Reba
Reba’s comments: “I think you have fun entertaining, don’t you? … I’m kinda known as a country singer, but I have recorded everything from Aretha Franklin songs to Diana Ross. I know that we’d have fun if you chose me as your coach.”
Michael’s comments: “The joy you just brought the whole room is immense. You’re 14, it’s gonna be crazy for people to watch how much you grow… your runs are great, your pitch is great.”
Niall’s comments: “Your voice is so mature. That Broadway experience gives you that working voice, a voice that’s been on tour.”
Result: Team Bublé

Manny Costello

Age: 28
Hometown: Athens, Ga.
Song: “Almost Home” by Craig Morgan and Jelly Roll
Chair Turns: Reba, Snoop
Reba’s comments: “You made me homesick. It took me back to all the greats … it’s just a great combination, gosh dang, why am I gettin’ so emotional. … You just triggered something that needed to come out and say ‘happy to be here.'”
Snoop’s comments: “Your voice reminds me of the time I was hanging out with Willie Nelson and Kris Kristofferson … emotionally speaking, your music and your voice just sounds like it deserves to be on this show.”
Niall’s comments: “You moved the queen of country music to tears. That’s amazing.”
Result: Team Reba
Ari BGriffin Nagel/NBC

Ari B

Age: 30
Hometown: Detroit
Song: “Are You That Somebody” by Aaliyah
Chair Turns: None
Niall’s comments: “I really think your voice is incredible. There were quite a bit of pitch issues throughout.”
Snoop’s comments: “I would have rather you come out here and sung something soulful. Give me some of that Detroit soul.”
Michael’s comments: “You are easily a great enough singer to be on this show coz you have the voice.”
Result: No team

Dek of Hearts

Hometown: Nashville
Song: “Heads Carolina, Tails California” by Jo Dee Messina
Chair Turns: Reba, Niall, Snoop, Michael
Snoop’s comments: “I couldn’t even sit down, I wanted to hee-haw and yee-haw. Y’all gave me the country holy ghost. … I understand music, I understand musicians and showmanship. … Dare to be different.”
Niall’s comments: “The fact that you’re 14 months together and that’s how you are on the harmonies — that’s pretty impressive. … I know it’s Reba, but please … I’ve never had anything like you on any of my teams, but I have won twice.”
Reba’s comments: “I love with all my heart three-part harmony. It touches the core of my being. I can’t tell you how important it is for y’all to be on my team.”
Michael’s comments: “This is so unfair … with what you do and what I do, think of how many Bublébies will be made when this mix of a little bit jazz, little bit country.”
Result: Team Niall

Peyton Kyle

Age: 26
Hometown: Gainesville, Ga.
Song: “Talking to the Moon” by Bruno Mars
Chair Turns: Reba
Reba’s comments: “It was sweet, it touched my heart… and a great song selection. You just knocked it out of the ballpark for me.”
Niall’s comments: “I’m kicking myself.”
Michael’s comments: “You sounded great, I don’t know what’s going on with me today.”
Result: Team Reba

Ralph Edwards

Age: 30
Hometown: Fresno, Calif.
Song: “Lights” by Journey
Chair Turns: Michael, Niall, Reba, Snoop
Niall’s comments: “That is how you audition for The Voice. I thought that was absolutely incredible – are you a pro? If I walked into a bar and you were playing I’d never leave.”
Reba’s comments: “Your low range, your high range, you’ve got great tone. I never heard an off-pitch. It was the perfect performance.”
Michael’s comments: “Whoever you choose is gonna win The Voice.”
Snoop’s comments: “I wanna introduce you to my family [brings out team of writers, artists and producers]… this is the type of experience I wanna give you to not try to give you a deal, but to give you a deal.”
Result: Team Snoop

Jack Austin

Age: 21
Hometown: Battle Creek, Mich.
Song: “This Town” by Niall Horan
Chair Turns: Michael, Niall, Reba
Michael’s comments: “Great song choice. I’d love to have someone like you on my team.”
Niall’s comments: “Thank you for the song, I really appreciate it. … I thought you did an amazing job. I could tell you were a little bit nervous … but I thought your melody choices … made it climactic. We should sing the chorus together.”
Reba’s comments: “That was really, really special … your voice is pure, sweet. … I absolutely love your voice, it’s just really pretty.”
Result: Team Niall
Ryan MitchellGriffin Nagel/NBC

Ryan Mitchell

Age: 25
Hometown: Los Angeles
Song: “Cigarette Daydreams” by Cage the Elephant
Chair Turns: None
Michael’s comments: “You have a really good voice. It’s solid, your pitch is perfect, you have perfect control of your vibrato … what scared me a bit is it’s so stylized. … I probably should have pressed my button.”
Niall’s comments: “I felt like I could have heard different sides of it … if I woulda heard a touch more dynamic.”
Reba’s comments: “There’s been a lot of people that have come back, tried a different song, take a different angle. You never know what’ll happen.”
Snoop’s comments: “Each one of us has been told no, many many times, but it didn’t stop us. This no will become a yes sooner than later.”
Result: Carson Callback — “I’m really frustrated. Sometimes the coaches just don’t get it right. We rarely get an alt-rock artist like you on the show anymore … singers like yourself fall through the cracks sometimes, and I’ve never been able to do anything about it until right now. … You’re just too good to let go. I can only do this once and from what I just heard, I’m gonna give you the Callback card. … Pick a new song. You have 24 hours to prepare a new song for this second and last chance.”

Jazz McKenzie

Age: 31
Hometown: Birmingham, Ala.
Song: “What’s Love Got to Do with It” by Tina Turner
Chair Turns: Reba (blocked Snoop), Niall, Snoop, Michael
Michael’s comments: “You are so sought-after that I believe Reba used her one and only block to stop Snoop Dogg from getting you … if only I had the luck of the Irish [brings out Irish dancers].”
Snoop’s comments: “I’m just gonna give you a hug coz I can’t coach you. You deserve to be here.”
Niall’s comments: “That was impressive. Anyone that takes on a Tina song is just brave.”
Reba’s comments: “When a singer starts singing and it shoots through the air at someone’s heart, you know that person is truly blessed and I was hit so hard by your beautiful voice.”
Result: Team Bublé

The teams so far:

TEAM BUBLÉ (2 of 12): Jazz McKenzie, Max Chambers
TEAM REBA (2 of 12): Manny Costello, Peyton Kyle
TEAM NIALL (3 of 12): Aiden Ross, Dek of Hearts, Jack Austin
TEAM SNOOP (2 of 12): Mindy Miller, Ralph Edwards