By RODNEY HO/ rho@ajc.com, originally filed Tuesday, September 27, 2016
Aaron Gibson Tuesday night became the second Atlantan to make it past the blind auditions on the 11th season of "The Voice." And both are on Miley Cyrus' team.
He opened the fourth episode Tuesday night on NBC. Gibson, a singer songwriter who has performed at Eddie's Attic in Decatur, honors Georgia rock group R.E.M. with a slowed-down version of "Losing My Religion." He is very gravelly. His low-key approach is a slow burn but he doesn't ape the original. Blake Shelton is the first to turn around at the minute, six second mark. Miley Cyrus turned moments later, as did Alicia Keys as he broke into the chorus.
"I'm jealous of your voice," said Adam Levine, who didn't press the button.
Blake noted that he knows Sugarland from Atlanta. "I've been doing this a long time and I have a track record," he said, using his standard selling points.
Alicia: "Your voice is such a special, powerful tone. I love how you sang that song. It's one of my favorite songs. You totally made it your own."
Miley: "I would listen to you... I love your sound. I love your voice. For a chick, I have a gravelly voice, too." ("When do you breathe?" Blake complained.)
In the end, he picked Miley, drawn by her personality and vocal similarities. Gibson has a Facebook page called the Aaron Gibson Trio.
Darby Walker, an Atlanta native, was already featured on "The Voice" last month when a special post-Olympics episode aired. They played it again partway through episode four.
Here's her "Stand By Me"
I will be interviewing both of them probably later this week.
