# “If You’re Not in the Finale, I’d Be Mind Blown”: Riley Green’s ‘Voice’ Contestant Wows With Keith Whitley Cover to Advance to the Lives

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/if-youre-not-in-the-finale-id-be-mind-blown-riley-greens-voice-contestant-wows-with-keith-whitley-cover-to-advance-to-the-lives/
- Published: 2026-11-03T03:44:09+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-03T05:09:51+00:00
- Original publisher: American Songwriter
- Original article: https://americansongwriter.com/if-youre-not-in-the-finale-id-be-mind-blown-riley-greens-voice-contestant-wows-with-keith-whitley-cover-to-advance-to-the-lives/
- Topics: Music

## Key points

- Joe Henley advanced after performing a Keith Whitley song.
- Kelly Clarkson tipped him as a potential finalist.
- Riley Green chose him from five Team Riley artists.

## Summary

Joe Henley advanced to the live shows of *The Voice* after impressing the coaches with his cover of Keith Whitley’s “Don’t Close Your Eyes”. Kelly Clarkson predicted she would be “mind blown” if he did not reach the finale, while coach Riley Green praised his natural voice and ability to make the song his own.

Henley competed in the programme’s first Cut Week, where each coach had to choose one artist from five remaining team members for a final live-show place. Green selected Henley from a group that also included Allie Rae, Everett Bounds, Keiyana Osmond and Kayleigh Matthews, calling the decision difficult. Henley now joins Team Riley’s Cade Mower, Ferryn and Brinkley in the live shows.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.