Little River’s own Gail Bliss is representing the Grand Strand on The Voice .
Bliss’s soulful rendition of The SteelDrivers’ “If It Hadn’t Been For Love” wowed the audience and earned Snoop Dogg’s “coach replay,” which allows coaches to pick an artist even if they didn’t initially turn their chair during the performance.
“I love to see those tears of joy,” Snoop Dogg said after Bliss’s audition. “She has stage presence and then she had a look about herself that looked like she was a damn superstar.”
At 61, Bliss is the oldest contestant on the show to date — and she has the experience to match. Originally from southern Oregon, Bliss has sung professionally for nearly 40 years around the country and even in Canada.
“I try to inspire anyone that’s still got a dream left to dream. Keep yourself healthy and do the best you can to inspire your mind and keep having fun and keep living, because it’s so important,” Bliss said. “We’re not done yet. People over 50, we are not done yet.”
Of the four coaches this season, Gwen Stefani, Michael Bublé, Reba McEntire and Snoop Dogg, Bliss believes Reba would be a natural fit for her as a woman with a country background. However, Bliss is glad she ended up on Team Snoop Dogg.
“That would have been almost too much of what was to be expected. Instead, here I get to be the oldest person and I get to be paired with the most unlikely coach for me … At the end of the audition, I went up and just kissed him,” Bliss said. “I kissed him right on that cheek, and I’d do it again. He’s been phenomenal.”
Her genre-spanning career features her country roots, western swing, blues, jazz and more. Throughout her career, Bliss has released six albums and EPs .
In addition to her original music, she’s paid tribute to legends, portraying Patsy Cline in a national tour, working with Cline’s widower on a combination album with Cline’s music and performing in the Broadway musical “Ring of Fire” about Johnny Cash.
Although she “absolutely” has songs she wants to share on the show, viewers will have to tune in to see what Bliss’ future on The Voice has in store.
Back home in Little River, fans will also have the opportunity to see Bliss live. She debuted a country show called Gail Bliss and the Nashville Barn Dance last year and will open another show at the Greg Rowles Legacy Theatre in North Myrtle Beach next February.
“I’m hoping to have some special, very, very special guests that people are going to recognize very soon on the stage with me. So I hope that we pack that house and just have another great evening together,” Bliss said. “Because it’s the community that keeps you going, and it’s the people that come to clap for you that encourage you and your soul and keep a creative person moving forward.”
Viewers can catch Bliss on The Voice on NBC Mondays and Tuesdays at 8 pm EST or on Peacock. Fans can also keep up with the latest directly from Bliss on her blog .
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