Joe Henley had one more song to sing before Riley Green decided who would get the last spot on his team for the Live Shows.
The 19-year-old from Grand Bay, Alabama, went with a song that plenty of country fans can recognize before the first verse is even over. Keith Whitley’s “Don’t Close Your Eyes.”
Joe Henley had already shown what kind of country singer he was at his blind audition.
He sang Travis Tritt’s “Anymore,” then wound up singing a bit of “My Way” with Green himself.
This time, he was the last singer from Team Riley to perform. Two spots had already been filled. Five singers had to make their case for the one that was left.
A Keith Whitley song that’s harder than it sounds
Written by Bob McDill, “Don’t Close Your Eyes” went to No. 1 on the country chart in 1988.
It’s a heartbreaker with a very specific story. The man in the song knows the woman he’s with is still thinking about someone else, and he’s asking her to be there with him, just for tonight.
The first thing that stands out in Henley’s version is how low and easy his voice sounds in the opening verse.
There’s a little more lift when he gets to the chorus, but he still takes his time with the words.
If you know the Whitley record by heart, listen to how Henley lets the ends of those lines trail off a little. And keep an eye on the coaches when he finishes.
Watch Joe Henley sing “Don’t Close Your Eyes” below:
Riley Green had a decision to make
By the time Henley finished, all four coaches were on their feet.
Kelly Clarkson singled out the natural tone of his voice, something she’d noticed from the very first notes.
She went a step further, too, saying she’d be stunned if he didn’t make the finale.
Green picked up on how difficult Keith Whitley’s phrasing is to pull off and liked that Joe still sounded like himself.
Then came the joke. Riley Green told the teenager that if he could sing like that, he’d be so rich and famous he wouldn’t even answer Adam Levine’s calls.
The ovation was one thing. Riley Green still had to make the actual pick. He gave Joe Henley the last spot on Team Riley, sending him through to the Season 30 Live Shows alongside Cade Mower and the duo Ferryn & Brinkley.