It’s not easy to imagine someone else filling Blake Shelton‘s well-worn seat on The Voice. But the show does need to find a replacement for him later this year — and TVLine readers have some suggestions.
Earlier this month, we asked who you’d like to see take Shelton’s place on the NBC singing competition, now that he plans to exit when Season 23 concludes. And while Shelton, in theory, is an irreplaceable staple of the show, it seems there are quite a few country music stars who would be equally welcome on Voice viewers’ TV screens.
To be fair, it wasn’t only the country genre represented by your picks: Rock band frontmen like Jon Bon Jovi and Billie Joe Armstrong were proposed, as were pop icons like Lizzo and Lady Gaga. But it should come as no surprise that the names of country music legends filled our comments section, and we’ve collected the 10 most common suggestions in the list below.
Plus, during its 23 seasons on the air, The Voice has already recruited several of these hypothetical picks to serve as Team Blake’s Battle Round advisor — so we know they’d get Shelton’s endorsement! Keep scrolling to see who you most want as Shelton’s Voice replacement, then drop a comment with your thoughts!
Though Morris doesn’t currently have much experience judging singing competitions, she certainly knows what it’s like to audition for them, having been rejected by The Voice, American Idol and others before getting her big break. She’d be an empathetic addition to the coaching lineup, and it wouldn’t hurt to get another female mentor on the show; Kelly Clarkson shouldn’t have to hold down the fort alone!
Brown is a little newer to the music industry than most others on this list, having only broken out in the last decade — but that could actually work to his advantage when trying to recruit singers to his team. Plus, Season 24 wouldn’t be Brown’s first Voice rodeo: He previously served as Team Blake’s advisor during the Season 19 Battles.
McGraw also has some Voice experience on his résumé, having served as a key advisor alongside wife Faith Hill back in Season 11. Plus, few country singers are more decorated than McGraw, who’s got trophies from just about every music awards show under the sun (including three Grammy wins).
Should she join The Voice, Musgraves would be entirely new to the world of judging reality competitions. But her likable personality and sense of humor ought to fit well with the show’s lighthearted tone, and her accomplishments in the industry — including a whopping six Grammy wins at just 34 years old — would make her a worthy, capable addition to the bench.
Few things are more appealing to prospective Voice contestants than a coach who’s well-versed in multiple genres — and that certainly applies to Rucker, who crossed over to country music after years of fronting the soft rock band Hootie & the Blowfish. And like several other names on this list, Rucker has previously appeared on The Voice by way of advising Team Blake (in Season 17).
Underwood is just about to wrap up her Denim & Rhinestones concert tour, feasibly making her available to join The Voice‘s post-Shelton era in the near future. And should Kelly Clarkson stay on board for Season 24, it’d be a trip to watch two of American Idol‘s biggest success stories join forces — for a rival series, no less.
One of the biggest country superstars on our readers’ wish list, Brooks has 16 (!) studio albums, 13 Grammy nominations and millions of sold records to his name… so, yeah, we can see The Voice‘s starry-eyed singers wanting a coach with that level of experience. And Brooks wouldn’t be a total newbie to the show, either: He advised contestants during Season 11, the same year that Tim McGraw and Faith Hill offered their expertise.
We suspect many a Voice hopeful would leap at the chance to learn from the Queen of Country Music. And when it comes to Voice experience, McEntire’s got quite a bit: She was Shelton’s first-ever team advisor back in Season 1 (aw!), briefly coached contestants during Season 8, and will soon serve as Mega Mentor on the current 23rd season. Might The Voice be readying McEntire to become a full-time part of the show? Hm…
Another former advisor to Team Blake (during Season 9), Paisley has been in the country music game for more than two decades — but it’s not just musical experience that he brings to the table. Paisley has also co-hosted the CMA Awards (with Carrie Underwood, another entry on this list) multiple times, showcasing the same kind of up-for-anything humor that has made Shelton’s Voice tenure so memorable. If the show is seeking a new sparring partner for Kelly Clarkson as much as it is a reputable coach, Paisley might be the perfect pick.
Urban was far and away TVLine readers’ top choice to fill Shelton’s cowboy boots — and looking at his résumé, it makes sense. In addition to his three-plus decades in the biz (including four Grammy wins), Urban has 1) previously advised Shelton’s team during Season 15, 2) coached multiple seasons of Australia’s Voice iteration and 3) put in several years as an American Idol judge alongside Jennifer Lopez and Harry Connick Jr. He’s almost too qualified! Put him in that swivel seat!
Reba would be good.
Will sure be hard to fill Blake’s shoes, but Kieth Urban, would be fantastic
I agree! Kieth Urban would be great!
So would Carrie Underwood
Yeah I think that would be the perfect person to take over for Blake
I’m talking about Reba
Interesting Keith urban is number 1. I didn’t think he was that great as an American idol judge. Reba makes sense to me.
He’s been a judge on American Idol, Aussie Idol, and many seasons of The Voice Australia. He’s a really good judge.
Could be different format or he’s just evolved but he is very good on The Voice AU.
Reba, although she’s really busy acting. Brad Paisley, although I can’t see him leaving his farm and free grocery store that he has opened. I can’t see Keith Urban doing it, although I understand why he did the Australian Voice. Darius Rucker would be good. In fact any of the above would be excellent.
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It will be interesting to see who they pick.
I would also love Dolly Parton as a Coach…she would have a hard time saying no, but would be able to do it with such humor & grace.
I think Dolly would be great too!!!
I love Dolly!
Brad paisley or Garth Brooks.
Replace Blake Shelton with SEAL..
Replace Black with a seal!
Replace Blake with a black figure made of flex seal!
Oh. I guarantee it’ll be a minority.
Hope so! Blanco Brown, Kane Brown, or Darius!!
What does it matter if they are black or white as long as they are good!!
I agree. Kane or Darius. Kane is from my hometown Chattanooga,Tennessee. Keith has already been on & Brad is a good choice as well.
Keith Urban is my choice!
I do think Brad paisley will be a good replacement on the voice. He’s very caring and funny. He would be a good coach to work with.
Enough country! Give us a dang rocker for a change!
That’s a great idea!!
Sadly, Rock has gone the way of Disco and Boogie Woogie. It would take a really talented singer/songwriter to revive it. JMO
Neal mccoy
100%
Chris Stapleton or bust
That ain’t happenin.
Cris Stapleton would be a good choice ,Taylor Swift, Rod Stewart, Toni Braxton, Sade, Stevie Nicks, Beyonce, Bruce
Springstein , Babyface Edmond
Geriatric Voice?
Definitely Reba! She would be an amazing addition to the panel.
She is so dang likable! ❤️
LOL! I was thinking a Voice for senior citizens. I mean Idol has Lionel Richie. Taylor Swift would be good, or Brad Paisley.
Brad was also a judge on ABCs Rising Star
Brad Paisley is absolutely perfect.💯
Darius Rucker or Rebra they are not going to find another Blake that horses around with the other judges. It is going to be different for sure whoever the pick.
You’ve never seen Reba in action with the gags. She’s hilarious!
She’s not that funny. Ive tried to watch her show
I think it should be a male country singer i like Trace Atkins or see if you can get Christina Agular back she was good or ask Cher i am sure she might do it
I’ve been saying trace Adkins the whole time
Reba would be very good also Brad Paisley would be good and they both can cut up with the other coaches.
Garth or Tim or Darius. Keith- sleepy time.
Blake is irreplaceable but since they can’t have only 4 judges I vote to have Adam Levine back.
Rather have Blake but if not pick Reba
I think Keith urban would be perfect or Tim McGraw or Garth brooks or brad paisley. It should be a man the original show worked because there was only one woman.
There have been 2 women at a time: Kelly Clarkson and Alicia Keys; Gwen Stefani and Camila Cabello. So, there could be 2 women on the show at one time. I love Reba, and they could ask Dolly Parton. However, I also love Bath Brooks, Tim McGraw, and they could also ask George Strait.
Blake Shelton is the one everyone actually wants. Actually he’s main reason I watch…sorry!
Me to
He wants to be home with his wife now. He is the one who wants to retire. I thought this would be my last season watching, but I’m really pleasantly surprised wit Chance and Niall. And I love Mill’s Irish accent. I think Reba or Garth or Tim McGraw would be great in Blake’s chair.
There this computer goes again, changing Niall to Mills. Can y’all change the format so it doesn’t change what we type?
Blake is not replaceable. You will need someone who can be good as well as funny and entertaining. Hard act to follow
Me too Blake Shelton makes the Voice, love him
The show wont be the same without Blake Sheldon, not sure if I will watch maybe if Keith Urban is there I might give it a try
I think Keith urban would be great I think it should be a country singer as there is more pop and rock judges thank you.
I would like to see Carrie Underwood or Brad Paisley. But I really hate to see Blake go.I wish him the Best of luck and God Bless y’all and your families ❣️
Blake, Carrie, Reba or Garth, the Oklahoma posse.
I would like to see Carrie Underwood get it she is fantastic and she knows Country very well her and Blake are good friends.whoever gets it There will never be another Blake Shelton. Wish you all the best of luck and God Bless y’all and your families ❣️
She’s a good singer/performer, but does not have enough personality for that job.