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Louisiana Artist Dustin Dale Gaspard Makes History on The Voice, Earns Four-Chair Turn
LOS ANGELES, CA – The Voice stage Monday night witnessed a truly distinctive talent emerge during the Blind Auditions, as 33-year-old Dustin Dale Gaspard captivated coaches and audiences alike with a groundbreaking performance.
Hailing from Cow Island, Louisiana, a small, rural Cajun community, Gaspard painted a vivid picture of his hometown, noting, “There’s barely any concrete, but plenty of alligators.” He affectionately refers to these reptiles as “giant swamp puppies,” challenging common perceptions. “People think they’re vicious dinosaur creatures, but that is false,” he stated, recalling his grandfather’s daring antics of scaring them off.
Gaspard’s musical upbringing is as rich and varied as his heritage, blending New Orleans-style rhythm and blues, country music, and traditional Cajun sounds, which he proudly labels “swamp music.” His journey to The Voice has been one of immense dedication, with Gaspard admitting he has lived in his car for the past few years, traveling over 100,000 miles in pursuit of his musical dreams.
“When I’m on the road, it’s hours of driving getting to a city, singing for a couple of hours, and then finding a parking lot to sleep in,” he shared. His appearance on the show was a culmination of these sacrifices, hoping a chair turn would “justify all the sacrifices I’ve made.”
That justification arrived in spectacular fashion. Gaspard took the stage to perform a unique Cajun-style rendition of “Bring It On Home to Me,” marking the first time Cajun French has ever been sung on The Voice. His powerful and authentic performance earned a coveted four-chair turn from coaches Niall Horan, Reba McEntire, Michael Bublé, and Snoop Dogg.
The coaches wasted no time in trying to woo the Louisiana native. Niall Horan, visibly impressed, exclaimed, “There is nothing better than hearing a proper, unique, full-of-character voice…
That was incredible. A little bit of French.
You could sing ‘Baa Baa Black Sheep’ and it would sound good. I think we have similar music tastes right off the bat.
Please pick me. I love you.”
Reba McEntire leveraged her Southern roots, stating, “I’m from southeastern Oklahoma, so not far from where you are… You’re different.
You’re unusual. You’re refreshing, and you can sing and play.
My gosh, I’d love to have you on my team.”
Michael Bublé offered a touch of French charm, “Bonjour. Comment ça va?
You are what the people are asking for. They want authenticity.
They want something unique… The music that you’re making really does sit in each of our lanes.”
Finally, Snoop Dogg appealed to a shared cultural connection. “I got family in Mississippi and Louisiana, and the music you’re making, it touched my heart because I’ve got uncles that chase alligators, wrestle with snakes, and do all the things you do.” He then broke into a spontaneous song to further persuade Gaspard.
After a moment of deliberation, looking to his mother for guidance, Dustin Dale Gaspard announced his decision: “I think just based on the initial reaction and all the enthusiasm, and some brothers that I have back in Ireland, I’ll have to go with Niall.”
Niall Horan, ecstatic, declared, “Dustin, remember the name. That is one of the best auditions I’ve seen and heard on this show in three seasons.”
The Voice continues Monday and Tuesday nights at 8 p.m. ET/PT on NBC, streaming the next day on Peacock.