Every once in a while, The Voice gets a unique talent unlike anyone they’ve ever had, and Monday night’s Blind Auditions produced such a distinctive artist with the appearance of 33-year-old Dustin Dale Gaspard.
Dustin hails from Cow Island, LA, a very small rural, Cajun community, where there’s “barely any concrete. But there’s plenty of alligators. “
“They are my favorite animal,” he claims. “They are like giant swamp puppies. People think they’re vicious dinosaur creatures, but that is false. My grandfather used to run and do cannonballs and try to scare them away as long as they weren’t big enough to take a limb off. “
Dustin grew up on a blend of rhythm and blues, New Orleans-style, and country music, as well as Cajun traditional music, which he labels as “swamp” music.
The last few years, Dustin has been living in his car and says he has traveled 100,000 miles in pursuit of his music career..
“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 says. “I’ve just been focusing on honing the craft, and the coaches will be able to really break through the ceiling and join the table of success. A chair turn would justify all the sacrifices I’ve made.”
Dustin took the stage to perform his special Cajun-style performance of “Bring It On Home to Me,” which is the first time that Cajun French was sung on The Voice.
“When I work and when I sing, I’m writing my history,” he says. “It all comes down to this moment. Let’s go. And let the good times roll.”
Roll they did, earning Dustin a four-chair turn for his performance.
“There is nothing better than hearing a proper, unique, full-of-character voice when you’re facing away and you have this beautiful red button in front of you and you’re like, please, I have to turn around to see this person,” Niall Horan told him, wanting to get in the first word. “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.”
Next to try to woo Dustin was Reba McEntire, who tried to use geography to land the Louisiana artist.
“I’m from southeastern Oklahoma, so not far from where you are, a little bit down that way. 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.”
Then Michael Bublé tried to use some French charm to win over Dustin.
“Bonjour. Comment ça va?” he said. “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. It’s at the root of what each of us does, whether it’s Snoop, Niall, Reba, or me, so I don’t think you can make a bad decision. Love to have you on my team. Thanks for being brave enough to come and crushing it in this Blind.”
And finally, it was Snoop Dogg’s turn. He tried to win over Dustin, saying, “And they saved the best for last. 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. So, what I want to say is [breaks into song] ‘if you ever change your mind and think about leaving me behind, ohhh, pick me. Bring it on over to me.’”
Then Niall asked the all-important question, “Who do you pick as your coach?”
Dustin squinched up his face as he tried to decide and looked to his mother for direction. She tapped her heart.
Dustin said, “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 said, “Dustin, remember the name. That is one of the best auditions I’ve seen and heard on this show in three seasons.”
The Voice airs Monday and Tuesday nights at 8 p.m. ET/PT on NBC. Streams next day on Peacock.
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