BOORT sheep farmer Elias Lanyon was in a field of gold on Sunday night when he won the latest round of The Voice.
Lanyon edged out fellow teammate Tia Barnes to head into the next round of Channel 7’s singing competition after their performance of Sting’s Field of Gold.
Judge and Lanyon’s mentor Kate Miller-Heidke said she paired them together because of their “straight-forward quality voices”.
“They aren’t trying to be anyone else,” she said.
“They each have their own style and that comes beautifully in their vocal delivery.”
Before his performance, Lanyon told the audience a possible explanation for his “gravel” voice.
“It probably comes from yelling at dogs and sheep all day on the farm,” he said.
Miller-Heidke then revealed what it would take to advance.
“The artist that will win will have to show me the deepest connection to this song,” she said.
“I want to see beauty and want to be moved.”
Lanyon told the judges he was familiar with the tune.
“The old man has played this song in the workshop on the farm,” he said.
“My biggest concern is not being able to change my voice enough to stand out.
“To nail this song, I’m really going to have to push my vocals to the limit.
“I’m not quite ready to go back to the farm … the journey has only just started.”
Moment later, he proved his desire to stay on the national TV competition.
“Elias, I think you started off open and green and grew so much through this process,” Miller-Heidke said.
“You have won me over. I think you’re incredible.”
Miller-Heidke was torn over her choice to take to the knockout rounds.
“Elias, you knocked it out of the park,” she said, adding he won the battle for her.
