Featured Image: UT Martin student Houston Kelly on “The Voice” season 29. (Photo Credit / The Voice)

A University of Tennessee at Martin student is taking his musical talents to a national stage after appearing on Season 29 of “The Voice” and earning a spot on Kelly Clarkson’s team.

Houston Kelly, a senior agricultural business major from Memphis, Tennessee, said his passion for performing began at an early age within his family.

“Growing up in a musical family was what spurred on my love for music,” Kelly said. “I started off as a pianist, and I still am today.”

That early interest in playing piano eventually expanded into singing, something Kelly said happened naturally over time with encouragement from those around him.

“This love for making music naturally led me to sing more and more,” Kelly said. “With my support system pushing me to be the best I can be, that is exactly what happened.”

Kelly’s dedication to his craft eventually led him to audition for the popular NBC competition series, where singers perform blind auditions in hopes of impressing celebrity coaches. His journey to the show, however, was not immediate.

“I wanted to see if I could do it,” Kelly said. “I have always been someone who wants to take on challenges, and this is certainly one.”

Kelly said he auditioned multiple times before finally earning a spot on the show. After earlier setbacks, he said perseverance and faith played an important role in his eventual success.

“I tried out a few times before and never got a shot,” Kelly said. “But when I put my faith in the Lord to make it what He wanted this experience to be, the doors opened.”

During his blind audition, Kelly impressed Clarkson enough to earn a chair turn and secure a place on her team for the season.
While the national exposure was exciting, Kelly said some of his favorite moments came from the friendships formed with other contestants during filming.

“I loved spending time with my fellow contestants and getting to deepen our friendships together,” Kelly said. “The coolest part of this whole thing is that my network of known musicians across the U.S. expanded to a wild level over this time.”

One moment, however, stands out above the rest.

“I think the memory I will hold closest was seeing my parents across the stage as soon as the double doors opened for the blind audition,” Kelly said. “That was a really cool feeling and something I’ll never forget.”

Performing on a nationally televised stage also gave Kelly a new perspective on music and personal identity.

“Being on a stage like NBC offers changes the way I think about performing,” Kelly said. “I realize now that my worth cannot be tied up in what happens on that stage.”

At the same time, he said the experience helped him grow as a performer and refine his artistry.

“I learned a whole lot about how to better myself as a performer, which is what I love,” Kelly said. “That will go with me for years to come.”

Kelly said the emotional side of the competition proved to be one of the most challenging parts of the experience. After the blind auditions, he watched fellow contestants and friends leave the competition when they did not receive a chair turn.

“I had many friends who didn’t get a chair turn, and that means they are no longer going to be a part of the season,” Kelly said. “That is hard to deal with.”

Despite those challenges, Kelly said the experience ultimately helped him become more confident in his musical identity.

“I used to be a little self-conscious of what music I played or what I wanted to sound like,” Kelly said. “Now I know that there is only one Houston Kelly. In order for me to be the artist that I need to be, I have to be genuine.”

Kelly encourages other aspiring musicians not to give up when faced with setbacks.

“Don’t give up, and don’t be discouraged,” he said. “This was my third time trying out for the show.”

Looking ahead, Kelly plans to continue performing and sharing his music with audiences. He will also return to the UT Martin campus for a performance during the university’s upcoming crawfish boil.

“I will be playing the campus crawfish boil on April 6,” Kelly said. “The band and I are super excited to come play for y’all and continue down this road. It’s a blast.”