What you need to know about contestant Jordan Rainer
we have a long legacy in Oklahoma of cranking out country music stars, particularly: We’ve got Carrie and Vince and Reba, and so many more. And I’m happy to have ‘The Voice’ representing that Oklahoma knows how to make them down there,” said Rainer, 33, who is based in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, as she pursues her country music career.
“Me and Tanner are good friends ... and we help each other with our songs as we’re working and give each other tips and that kind of thing. These Okies, we look out for each other. We make sure we’re taken care of, and he definitely brings out a maternal side in me. I’ve kind of adopted him.”
Echoing that “there’s something in the water,” Massey, 19, who lives in Oklahoma City, said this season’s Sooner State contestants and coaches have shown off the diversity of Oklahoma’s musical talent, from his pop sound to Deneen’s R&B skills to Rainer’s outlaw country cool.
“I could not ask for a bigger stage at the moment. ... It’s just been so cool to be able to represent an entire state, me and Jordan both. And that’s what we’re going to be doing during the live shows,” he said.
Before her successful run on the NBC series, Rainer opened for Eli Young Band, Hunter Hayes, Craig Morgan and Luke Combs and wrote songs for former “The Voice” winner Sundance Head.
But the singer, songwriter and multiinstrumentalist has overcome formidable obstacles along the way: Back in Oklahoma, she found herself homeless, carless and unemployed at age 24, until a friend who owned a donut shop gave her a job.
“I’m always willing to talk about my struggles, whenever I feel like it’s relevant. ... A lot of people will almost try to exploit their struggles for sympathy or to try to garner some kind of advantage,” Rainer said.
“I never want to be that person that is known for, ‘Hey, I was the girl that was homeless; I was the girl that didn’t have a job.’ That is part of my story, but I think the most important conversation that I want to have from stage and anywhere that I have a platform is for women to know that there is always a stronger, more confident version of yourself that you can dig deep and get to know.”
Once she earned enough money, Rainer moved to Nashville and secured a publishing deal, but it wasn’t until about five years ago that she realized she could be a singer, too. A condition she was born with had affected her vocal cords and limited her range, but in recent years she’s received vocal therapy and coaching so she can now sing in a five-octave range.
“I’m an example of a woman who has been through adversity and has been through struggles and has come out on the other side 10 feet tall,” Rainer said, adding that she also developed her “Woman in Black” stage persona by overcoming hardship, including an abusive relationship.
“When I put those glasses on and I put that hat on, I put those boots on, I want to be a very dramatic visual representation to women of how strong we really are. ... There is so much power tucked in the heart of a woman if she just is brave enough to access it.”
Rainer has been a “Voice” favorite since the Season 24 premiere, when her blind audition performance of “Fancy,” the Bobbie Gentry-penned ode that has become Reba’s signature song, prompted all four coaches to turn their big red chairs and try to win her for their team.
The singer-songwriter, who performed in spring at McEntire’s new Atoka hot spot Reba’s Place, followed her dreams onto Team Reba, and she’s continued to wow “The Voice” coaches and audiences with her powerhouse country performances.
“Honestly, this experience on ‘The Voice’ couldn’t have gone any better. I’m surprised by it, because, again, I’ve done everything the hard way. It seems like for the last 10 years, every time I’ve gotten one leg up somewhere, something’s come along and knocked me down,” Rainer said.
“It’s been an amazing experience. I’ll tell you, there’s so much great talent here, I can’t wait to perform and put on a great show for the folks at home.”
What you need to know about contestant Tanner Massey
At 19, Massey is one of the youngest “Voice” competitors this season, but he started singing when he was just 11.
At 15, he joined an acapella kids group called Acapop! KIDS, which was cofounded by Scott Hoying of Grammywinning vocal group Pentatonix. Massey was included in the group’s music video for a cover of “Shallow,” which has garnered 16 million views.
“I’ve played at multiple different places across Oklahoma, from the Heartland Opry to the Rodeo Opry to the McSwain Theatre. I’ve also done national anthems ... and all of those have helped me build confidence singing in front of other people,” Massey said.
“That’s the No. 1 most important thing: You can practice all you want, but whenever it actually comes to getting up on the stage, it’s a completely different ballgame. So, having people take me in and giving me opportunities to sing in front of people for different shows in Oklahoma, that’s what helps me actually have the confidence to step foot on stage here.”
Despite his youth and nerves, Massey wowed with his “Voice” blind audition to Lewis Capaldi”s hit “Before You Go,” prompting Reba, Stefani and fellow coach Niall Horan to turn their chairs. Massey picked Team Niall.
In the battle rounds, Horan pitted Massey against Delaware singer Lennon VanderDoes in a competitive duet on Billy Joel’s “She’s Always a Woman.” When Horan chose VanderDoes as the winner, coaches Stefani and John Legend both tried to steal Massey, who opted for Team Gwen.
The coaches have praised Massey’s rapid growth on “The Voice,” from his stunning rendition of Shawn Mendes’ “In My Blood” in the knockouts to his triumphant playoffs cover of Shontelle’s “Impossible.”
For the live shows, his goal is to “get lost” in his performances and maybe catch people off guard.
“The more times that I touch that stage, the more confident I will become ... and I don’t take for granted a second on this stage. It’s an absolute blessing to be on there,” Massey said.