Ryan Argast Sang Dan + Shay for His “Risky,” Huntley-Esque Blind Audition

When it comes to the Blinds on The Voice, there aren’t many decisions more important than song choice. Any time you cover someone else’s work, it’s impossible to avoid a comparison, so you want to choose carefully. The right song can highlight your talents while the wrong one might sour the Coaches before you reach the first chorus.

The season premiere of The Voice season 25 was chock full of incredible performances from a wide range of talented performers and each of them took a risk to stand on that stage. None of them arguably took a bigger risk, though, than 30-year-old Ryan Argast from Plainfield, Illinois.

Ryan Argast sings “Speechless” by Dan + Say on The Voice Season 25

Ryan has been “making noise” singing in multiple bands since he was in the fifth grade, and all of that has led him to The Voice. Ryan came to the stage focused and single-minded. He knew what he wanted, which Team he wanted, and set out to make that clear from the jump. “To me, the most important thing as a singer is being a storyteller. There’s no one doing that better than Dan + Shay.”

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Married in 2020, Ryan has a special connection with Dan + Shay’s song “Speechless,” which is about seeing your spouse for the first time on your wedding day. Performing a song by one of the coaches, in this case The Voice’s first ever Coaching duo, is always risky and Ryan could only hope it would pay off. “I hope they hear the emotion, believe the story,” Ryan said.

Tension filled the room from the first notes, the Coaches immediately recognizing the tune, and all eyes were on Dan + Shay. The moments, and the melody, fluttered by as Ryan sang to the faceless backs of the Coach’s thrones. Finally, a whispered exchange between Dan + Shay, “I like him,” and “I think we should go for it.” Go for it they did. Ryan earned only a single Chair Turn, but it was the one that counted.

“I love the texture of your voice. I love that it feels like it’s breaking but it’s strong at the same time,” John Legend said, before Reba McEntire jumped in. “You’re going to have such a good time with these two over here. They are knowledgeable, they are such great singers, song writers. So sorry I missed out on it but you’re going to have fun with them.” Finally, Dan + Shay addressed their new Team member.

“That was risky, but it paid off. I knew exactly what I was listening for, and you were the magic we were looking for,” Shay said, before handing it off to Dan. “The beginning of it was super true to form, super sexy, super R&B, and when that chorus hit you made it your own. I’m going to be thinking about that performance every time we sing that song now.”

In case performing for and being selected by your favorite Coaches wasn’t enough, John Legend convinced Dan + Shay to join Ryan for a special three-person rendition of “Speechless.” The three of them tore up the stage together for a couple bars to celebrate Ryan joining Team Dan + Shay.

You’ll see more of Ryan Argast and the rest of the competitors on The Voice season 25. New episodes air Mondays and Tuesdays at 8/7c on NBC and next day on Peacock.