Kalamazoo Times

Jack Austin, a senior at Western Michigan University, appeared on the season 28 premiere of NBC’s “The Voice,” impressing judges with his rendition of Niall Horan’s song “This Town.” Austin, a music theatre performance student, received positive feedback from celebrity judges Michael Buble, Niall Horan, and Reba McIntyre. All three turned their chairs for his performance.

“When do you ever have the opportunity to sing an artist their own song, you know? I thought it was a big risk, but also a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Austin said. He described feeling calm until the judges began turning their chairs: “I was actually doing pretty well with the nerves when they were facing away from me, but when they started turning around is when the nerves really kicked in.”

Judge Reba McIntyre commented on his performance by saying, “Your voice is pure, sweet. I absolutely love your voice.” Horan added, “I thought your melody choices you made—I was like, ‘Should have thought of that, should have thought of that!’” Following his audition, Horan joined Austin on stage for an impromptu duet.

“When he asked, I kind of just went blank. I’m like, ‘Oh my goodness, this is impromptu, unrehearsed. Don’t mess it up,’ you know? And the crowd was screaming so loud that it was even hard to hear the music,” Austin recalled. “It had not even crossed my mind that it could be a possibility, and when it happened, it was the greatest moment of my life. That was so cool.”

Austin chose to join Team Niall. His friends and family watched from Battle Creek and Western Michigan University’s campus. “It means so much to me to get the support from my hometown and my school, because those are the people that have gotten me to where I am today,” he said. “It also means a lot to me to make them proud, because they’ve invested their time and energy into me.”

Austin will continue as a student while participating in the show. The next stage for him on Team Niall will be during the Battle Round starting Monday, Oct. 13. “It’s a weird transition from being in L.A. to coming back to school and watching it all back on air. It’s been very surreal,” he said. “I’m just trying to live life as normally as I can and finish school, because that’s really important to me, and just spend time with my friends that I’ve made here and the professors. They’ve just become family, really.”

Austin has experience leading theatre projects including founding Unity Theatre Company in Battle Creek and originating lead roles such as in “Boy on Billboard,” which premiered in New York City last summer with sold-out audiences. He won Rock Song of the Year at the Josie Music Awards for his original song "GET AWAY" and has received multiple nominations this year for his single "I Got a Love!"

Reflecting on his journey so far he said: “Put yourself out there, whatever your dreams are,” adding praise for Western Michigan University: “At Western you have so many awesome professors and resources to help support you. The University itself has been so, so supportive in me chasing my dreams.”

Austin’s progress can be followed on Mondays and Tuesdays at 8 p.m., airing on NBC or streaming via Peacock.