Louisiana Has Produced Big Talent on Reality Singing Shows
It's very rare to find something on TV that moves you. But it really happened for me 13 years ago when I was a huge fan of reality singing shows. Back when "American Idol", "X-Factor" and "The Voice" were first aired on the major TV networks, I was a huge fan.
And on September 25, 2013, a local guy named Cole Vosbury really moved me with a performance on "The Voice". I will never forget how much I loved what I was hearing. These shows have shined a spotlight on some incredible talent. Several artists from the Shreveport area have made it to the big stage.
Winners of TV Music Shows from Louisiana
26-year-old Laine Hardy is from Livingston, Louisiana and he won the 17th season of American Idol back in 2019. He's the only Louisiana talent to win the big trophy.
Louisiana Singers Who Made it to the Top 10 on "The Voice"
Karen Waldrup from Mandeville placed 5th on "The Voice" in 2024.
Gyth Rigdon from Singer, Louisiana finished as the runner-up on "The Voice" in 2019.
Meghan Linsey Ponchatoula also finished as the runner-up on "The Voice" back in 2015.
Shreveport's own Dez Duron made it to the top 8 on "The Voice" in 2012.
Damien Lawson of Monroe placed 4th on "The Voice" in 2014.
Rob Taylor of Donaldsonville was a contender on "The Voice" in 2015 and finished in the top 10.
Hunter Plake of Baton Rouge competed in 2017 on "The Voice" and finished 5th.
Max Chambers of Shreveport made it to the finale of "The Voice" and finished 5th.
He was just 14 years old when he went on the show in 2025.
This week, we turn the clock back 13 years to when Cole Vosbury took his talent to ‘The Voice’.
Vosbury wowed the judges in 2013 with his rendition of “Movin on Up” the theme song from the TV show ‘The Jeffersons’. It was something fresh and different. That episode aired on September 24. How has it been 13 years already?
Take a Look At Cole Vosbury’s Journey on ‘The Voice’
Vosbury's first team on "The Voice" was Team CeeLo. He joined CeeLo Green's team after his blind audition. He was later stolen by Blake Shelton in the knockout rounds after his performance of "Let Her Go."
KEEL News had the privilege of hosting Vosbury when he returned home and he was simply amazing.
So, what song did Vosbury sing for the knockout round to go up against fellow competitor Jonny Gray's cover of The Beatles' 'We Can Work It Out'?
His performance of 'Let Her Go' had the crowd clapping along the whole time. And if you were watching him from Shreveport-Bossier, you probably were, too.
Cole commented about his time on "The Voice":
If you are reading this, I'm here to say thank you. I'm glad that my performance of this song meant something to you. I had a vision in my head when I first heard the song and this video is that exact vision. We shared a moment. It was my life, and it was your life too.
One of my very favorite performances from Cole was when he sang Maggie May, the Rod Stewart mega hit.
Cole is still performing all around the area as half of the duo The Lovers.