Watch Huntley's Heartfelt Music Video He Filmed Before He Won The Voice Season 24
Huntley's been making music for years, he's just been waiting for the rest of us to catch up.
The last notes have rung out across the stage, the last standing ovations given, and the last curtain closed on Season 24 of The Voice. After a grueling series of challenges from the Blinds, all the way through to the Knockouts and the Lives, Huntley was crowned champion, earning Coach Niall Horan his second consecutive win since joining The Voice in season 23.
In addition to fame and glory, Huntley took home a $100,000 prize and a recording contract with Republic Records, a label under the Universal umbrella. After winning The Voice, Huntley kicked off the December 23 NFL game between the Buffalo Bills and the Los Angeles Chargers, singing the National Anthem in front of a crowd of football fans. Seeing Huntley’s meteoric rise to blues-rock stardom over the last few months, you might feel like he’s become an overnight success, but that couldn’t be farther from the truth.
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Most performers have been grinding in clubs and city fairs, just like Queen Reba did in her early days, for years. Huntley is no exception. In fact, you can check out Huntley’s debut single, “Holdin’ On” which he released more than a year before appearing on The Voice.
Listen to Huntley’s Pre-The Voice Single “Holdin’ On”
Huntley’s journey toward dominance on The Voice stage began when he was just four years old, singing Elvis songs at home. Kids are born performers and they’ve never heard of stage fright, but that doesn’t mean they’re any good. Huntley didn’t put much thought into a musical career until a friend said those fateful words “Hey man, you’re pretty good” when he was 14 years old. That friend was right.
After an ill-fated musical pilgrimage to Nashville, Huntley returned home to Virginia where he built a family and found work as a booking agent for other artists while slinging his guitar all over the state playing music of his own. That’s where “Holdin’ On” comes in.
It’s a song about perseverance, about courage in the face of adversity, and about waiting for a better day that’s certain to come just over the horizon. And it’s delivered in Huntley’s characteristic smoky, grizzled voice which, when combined with the song’s content, results in the aural equivalent of your favorite aged blanket. It’s a little rough around the edges but it’s warm and comfortable and safe.
If Huntley’s performance on The Voice is any indication, he’s on a rocket headed toward big things. Holdin’ On is probably good advice.
You can see Huntley progress from the Blinds to the winner’s chair in season 24 of The Voice, streaming right now on Peacock.
