Seven-Piece Family Band Earns Spot On 'The Voice: Generations' With Bluegrass Take On Lady Gaga Song

Jan 18, 2023 by apost team

“The Voice: Generations” is an Australian television show which premiered in January 2022. The spin-off is the latest iteration of "The Voice" franchise, a series of international reality television singing competitions which have rocketed several singers to fame and fortune. Similar to "American Idol" and "The X Factor," contestants vie for approval and applause during a series of blind auditions, head-to-head battles, elimination rounds, as well as performances in front of producers and eventually a live studio audience. 

First airing in 2010, "The Voice" has championed acts such as Chloe Kohanski, Sundance Head, Chevel Shepherd, Sawyer Fredericks, Brynn Cartelli, as well as former child star Alisan Porter. However, fans of the show may better recognize the names of some of the star-studded panel of judges who have graced the televised stage. 

Blake Shelton, Adam Levine, John Legend, Gwen Stefani, Jennifer Hudson, and Ariana Grande have all shared their wisdom and their guidance with “The Voice” contestants through its many seasons and many iterations. For "The Voice: Generations," those hoping to make it big and take the music industry by storm will have to first gain the approval of Keith Urban, Guy Sebastian, Rita Ora, and Jessica Mauboy. 

During the inaugural season of the show, audiences met Hollywood hopefuls like Ty & Eddie, Jess & Kelsi, Caitlin & Tim, The Wenas, Bloom & James, Maurice & Micah, Kids of Leo, and The O'Donnells. The latter was a Von Trapp-style family band with members ranging from 3 to 59 years of age, all lending their voice or their instrument to some rendition. 

The seven-piece stunned viewers in February 2022 with an unlikely take on the Lady Gaga single, "Edge of Glory." They performed the song for their blind audition, putting an utterly unexpected bluegrass twist on the synth-pop classic.

With some of the smaller members of the group holding some of the microphones, the O'Donnells added banjo, acoustic guitar, and layer vocals to a song most people associate with Gaga's signature writhing dance moves. The result was spellbinding. The Brisbane family created a wholesome rendition by employing parents John and Wendy, as well as their children Johnny, Jacqui and Katelyn. The group was touchingly joined by two of the O'Donnells' grandkids for their "The Voice: Generations" performance. 

Their song charmed audience members, even causing judges to peer over their chairbacks at the sweet voices of the younger O'Donnells. Judge Urban even told the tiny 3-year-old singer, who sheepily mouthed the lyrics into her mic, "You are the youngest performer on any voice stage in the world ever."

Hailing from Logan City in Queensland, Australia, the family started as just the older O'Donnells. After meeting in the UK, moving back to Australia, and marrying in 1987, John and Wendy founded the group, The Snake Gully Ensemble, eventually joining the Sunshine Mountain Bluegrass Band and playing around Australia. Their children joined in during one fateful performance when the other musicians failed to materialize. The formation seemed to work.

The O'Donnells eventually earned their way onto the "The Voice: Generations" stage. Judges praised their "gospel bluegrass number." Viewers at home were equally in love. One YouTube commenter wrote, "That kid captures my heart in an instant without even singing!" Though they were not able to sweep the awards that night, we wish them all the success going forward.

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What did you think about their rendition? Let us know — and be sure to pass this article on to friends, family, as well as any "The Voice" fans!