Morgan Wallen appeared on season 6 of The Voice in 2014, marking his first major step into the music industry. The popular singing competition on NBC gives aspiring musicians a chance to showcase their talents in front of celebrity judges. Contestants perform in "blind auditions," where the judges can only hear their voices, not see them.
Morgan Wallen's journey on The Voice began with his rendition of Howie Day’s 2003 hit Collide. Although he didn't win the competition, his time on the show helped propel him into country music stardom. After choosing Usher as his mentor, Wallen went on to make an impression in several rounds, ultimately being eliminated in the playoff stage.
Morgan Cole Wallen is now an American country pop singer. After The Voice, he signed with Big Loud Records and released his debut album If I Know Me in 2018. The album included hits like Whiskey Glasses and Up Down. Since then he has never looked back and continued to break streaming records and sell out concerts.
Who is Morgan Wallen of The Voice
Early life and family
Morgan Cole Wallen was born on May 13, 1993, in Sneedville, Tennessee. He grew up in a musical family with his father, Tommy Wallen, serving as a Southern Baptist pastor. Wallen’s mother, Lesli Wallen, also supported his musical talents from a young age. He has three younger sisters, Ashlyne, Mikaela, and Lacey, the latter two adopted by the family in 2021.
Wallen's musical roots run deep, starting when he began singing in his local church at the age of three. By five, he was learning to play the violin and later picked up the piano, cultivating a lifelong love for music. However, before pursuing a career in music, Wallen initially aimed to become a professional baseball player, a dream that ended due to an elbow injury during high school.
Morgan Wallen on The Voice
In 2014, Morgan Wallen auditioned for Season 6 of The Voice, where he performed Collide during the blind auditions. Judges Usher and Shakira were impressed, with Shakira commenting that his voice was "as manly as it gets." Wallen ultimately chose Usher as his mentor.
Throughout the competition, Wallen made it past several rounds, including the battle rounds, where he performed Avicii’s Hey Brother and One Direction’s Story of My Life. However, he was eliminated during the playoff stage. Despite his early exit, The Voice gave Wallen significant exposure, and his stint on the show was instrumental in shaping his music career.
The move to Nashville and breakthrough success
After The Voice, Wallen shifted his focus to country music and moved to Nashville, Tennessee, where he began working on his career. He formed a band called Morgan Wallen & Them Shadows and signed with Panacea Records in 2015, releasing his first single, Spin You Around.
Later that year, Wallen secured a contract with Big Loud Records and released his debut single with the label The Way I Talk. In 2018, Wallen released his debut studio album, If I Know Me, which included hit tracks like Up Down featuring Florida Georgia Line and Whiskey Glasses.
The latter became one of his most successful songs, reaching No. 1 on the Country Airplay chart and making him a rising star in the country music scene.
Rise to stardom with Dangerous and One Thing at a Time
Wallen's second studio album, Dangerous: The Double Album, solidified his status as a country music superstar. Released in January 2021, the album broke records by spending 86 nonconsecutive weeks in the top 10 of the Billboard 200 chart, surpassing a record previously held by Peter, Paul, and Mary.
In 2023, Wallen released his third studio album, One Thing at a Time, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and topped the country charts. The album produced several hit singles, including Last Night and You Proof, both of which dominated the Billboard Hot 100.
Wallen's achievements in country music placed him in a league with iconic artists such as Taylor Swift and The Beatles, who have also held multiple spots in the top 10 simultaneously.
Controversies and personal life
While Morgan Wallen's music career has been a massive success, he has also faced controversy. In February 2021, Wallen was caught on video using a racial slur, which led to widespread backlash. Radio stations temporarily pulled his music, and several industry events distanced themselves from the singer.
Wallen issued a public apology, and after a brief hiatus, he resumed his career with continued commercial success. Despite the controversies, Wallen has remained popular among his fan base. In recent years, he has continued to tour, perform at major music events, and release chart-topping music.
Morgan Wallen today
As of 2024, Wallen continues to enjoy immense success in the music industry. His latest album, One Thing at a Time, has set new records, and he remains a dominant force in country music. In addition to his music, Wallen is focused on his personal life, particularly as a father to his son, Indigo Wilder.
Wallen's journey from a small-town baseball player to a national music sensation began with his appearance on The Voice. Although he did not win the competition, the exposure and experience he gained helped launch his music career, which continues to thrive today.
Don't miss the exciting new episodes of The Voice season 26, airing Mondays from 8-10 p.m. and Tuesdays from 9-10 p.m. on NBC. Catch up the next day on Peacock! Tune in to watch incredible performances and find out who will take home the crown this season.