Celebrate the Heart of Country, Americana, and Roots Music!

Drop Us A Line, Y'all

Y'all interested in advertising, partnering up, contributing stories, joining our team, or just got a question? Well, don't be shy, drop us a line!

Follow Us

That Time Michael Lee Wowed The Voice’s Coaches with B.B King’s Classic, ” The Thrill is Gone”

by
  • Arden is a Senior Country Music Journalist for Country Thang Daily, specializing in classic hits and contemporary chart-toppers.
  • Prior to joining Country Thang Daily, Arden wrote for Billboard and People magazine, covering country music legends and emerging artists.
  • Arden holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Tennessee, with a minor in Music Studies.

Musicians, artists, composers, singers are terms that may slightly differ from one another, but amongst these, they were first driven by inspiration, style, hardships, and passion.

Once an artist decides to come out of his shell, a groundbreaking moment happens. It’s a make or break, a chance of a lifetime, breathtaking or rather exhilarating. One who takes the center stage must muster them all, gain attention, and touch the very hearts of people around him through the drive which was only attained by hours of practice and moments of artist blocks which all ends to experience.

Meet Michael Lee

A three-chair-turner from The Voice’s blind audition, Michael Lee stole the hearts of many and managed to make coaches Blake Shelton, Adam Levine, and Jennifer Hudson turn for him during his stage time. He sang B. B. King’s hit classic “The Thrill is Gone” whom the young artist admires as he takes his path on his musical career with his own favorite genre, the blues.

Raised in Fort Worth, Texas, Michael Lee was surrounded by blues music his entire life. He spent most of his childhood by joining the blues club. He was then educated by watching and playing with legends Jones, Whittington, and Peterson. But it’s not all the time that he gets to be in the blues club. He also found himself soaking in Country music on stockyards, thus lead to the development of his perfectly blended Blues and Country music style preceded by his fellow Texan Delbert McClinton.

By 2014, Michael Lee got to release his first record, and in 2018 he released two singles “Here I Am” and “Heart of Stone”.

Although he possess his own brand of music, his adoration for the late B. B. King led him to become a part of the band “BB Kings Blues” composed by B.B. King’s bandmates until he passed away in 2015. His band’s goal is to keep King’s legacy alive, leading them to hold musical tours which averages to 250 sold out tickets per year.

Michael Lee’s deep admiration for the late Blues artist led him to his spectacular performance in The Voice season 2018. He filled the audience and coaches with roaring passion as he tributes the song to his favorite artist.

Wooed by The Coaches

The three coaches who turned during Lee’s performance got crazy just to have him on their team, each with unique insights to befit his gift in performing onstage.

Hudson said that Michael Lee’s prowess with the guitar is his own personal superpower. Adding to the statement, she told him that even without it, he’s still a powerful singer who will fit well in her team. Adam, on the other hand, told Lee that his skills with the guitar makes them a perfect match for most of the guitarists go to his team. Blake, however, countered his argument and told Lee that he’s also been working with guitarists for the past few seasons of his coaching in The Voice.

With the wooing of the three coaches, his fellow Texan Kelly Clarkson gave him advise that the coach he must pick shouldn’t be the one with the most offer. Instead, she told him that he should pick the coach who he felt “sticking” with the most.

https://youtu.be/snmHVzmjlDY


After the blind audition, Michael Lee opened up his social media and admitted that the coach who he relates the most is his fellow Texan native Kelly Clarkson. Their shared perspective of the music and lifestyle gave Lee a significant boost in picking a coach to guide him for a career in the big screen. It shows that no matter how big someone becomes, their nature, love, and passion remain to their same root.


In the end, whatever the goal of the artist, as long as it’s powered by hard work and passion, the probability of success all depends on the person. Development of one’s self esteem and confidence all roots to the first foundations they earn as an aspiring artist. From an artist’s perspective, there are people who contributed to their style of music and one of the most common yet amazing ways to show it is to tug the hearts of many by turning one’s years of experience to reality.

Latest Stories

Zach Bryan performs live on stage in a previous concert, wearing a sleeveless shirt and ball cap, as he announces a surprise $50 Red Rocks show set for August.

Zach Bryan Drops Surprise Red Rocks Show With a $50 Ticket Cap and a Promise to Keep It Real

While everyone else is out here selling pit passes for the price of a mortgage payment, Zach Bryan just dropped a $50 Red Rocks show like it was nothing. On ...

Mark Herndon plays drums on stage with a smile, wearing sunglasses and a bandana, representing his longtime role with country supergroup Alabama despite feeling like an outsider.

He Was Alabama’s Drummer for Years But Mark Herndon Says He Was Never Treated Like He Belonged

He played the beat behind the biggest country band in the world, but they made sure he knew his place. Off to the side. Mark Herndon was the guy in ...

The Dixie Chicks pose in front of an American flag in white T-shirts, with the words "FREE SPEECH" written on their arms—capturing the controversial moment that reshaped their career after 2003.

Whatever Happened to the Dixie Chicks After They Crossed the Line in 2003?

They weren’t canceled. They self-destructed and dared people to cheer for it. Back in 2003, the Dixie Chicks were sitting on top of the world. They were country music’s biggest ...

Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard perform on stage together in 2015, each playing a guitar and singing into microphones, proving their legendary status with the success of their album Django and Jimmie.

On This Day in 2015, Willie and Merle Proved They Still Ran the Damn Game With “Django and Jimmie”

You can’t kill country legends, especially when they roll into town smoking pot and topping charts. On June 11, 2015, “Django and Jimmie” officially climbed to Number One on the ...

Hank Williams performs “Lovesick Blues” at the Grand Ole Opry in 1949, standing at the WSM microphone in a pinstripe suit and cowboy hat, holding an acoustic guitar during his historic debut.

On This Day in 1949, Hank Williams Stepped on the Opry Stage and Blew the Damn Roof Off

They tried to keep him out, but when Hank Williams finally hit the Grand Ole Opry stage, country music would never be the same. June 11, 1949. The Ryman Auditorium ...

John Foster, Breanna Nix, and IAMKNOWN sit on a front porch singing a heartfelt acoustic rendition of “Go Rest High on That Mountain,” with John playing guitar and all three pouring raw emotion into the harmony.

John Foster, Breanna Nix, and IAMKNOWN Team Up for a Soul-Crushing Take on “Go Rest High on That Mountain”

They didn’t win American Idol, but this performance says otherwise. John Foster, Breanna Nix, and IAMKNOWN reunited after the American Idol finale to deliver a stripped-down, straight-from-the-gut version of Vince ...

Miss Kay Robertson is struggling after Phil’s death, facing serious health issues and grief that cuts deep after 60 years of love, loss, and shared life.

Miss Kay Robertson ‘Not in the Best of Health’ After Phil’s Death According to Son Willie

She’s been with the same man for sixty years, and now she’s waking up every morning wondering why the damn house is so quiet. Phil Robertson is gone, and Miss ...

Trisha Yearwood performs passionately on stage in a black fringe dress, set to headline a benefit concert in Santa Barbara supporting first responders and wildfire-affected musicians.

Trisha Yearwood Set to Take the Stage in Santa Barbara to Raise Funds for First Responders

Country powerhouse Trisha Yearwood is heading west, and she’s bringing some real heart with her. The three-time Grammy winner has been tapped to headline the 2025 One805LIVE! benefit concert, an ...

Faith Hill beams backstage at CMA Fest 2025 in her first public appearance in two years, wearing a wide-brim hat and leather jacket while chatting with friends.

Faith Hill Stuns With Her First Public Appearance in Two Years After Stepping Out of the Spotlight

It’s been a long time since Faith Hill showed up where fans least expected her, especially without a microphone in hand. CMA Fest 2025 brought out just about everyone in ...

Faith Hill waves to the crowd on stage in a white dress, fueling speculation about her quiet retirement from country music after years of absence from the spotlight.

Did Faith Hill Quietly Step Away From Country Music? The Biggest Sign Yet She’s Retired

There’s going quiet, and then there’s straight-up ghosting a whole genre. Faith Hill hasn’t just taken a break from country music. She’s vanished. One of the biggest names in the ...