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St. Louis singer wins coveted spot on The Voice. Catch his band on tour in metro-east

Neil Salsich was born and raised in St. Louis, and he’s proud to represent the region as a contestant on reality TV show The Voice.

Salsich, a founding member of band The Mighty Pines, didn’t previously see himself as a potential candidate for The Voice, even when people recommended he apply.

“To my sensibilities at the time, it felt like that was not really in my wheelhouse, or it was something sort of too polished for me, or I was sort of more underground, or somehow above it,” Salsich said.

The musician said he “couldn’t feel more differently” after getting onto the show, and it’s been one of the best musical experiences he’s had thus far.

“So I was totally wrong about The Voice for all those years, I’m glad that I gave it a different perspective, I guess, and gave it a shot,” Salsich said. “I’m just so grateful that I took the chance, and now it’s all happening. It’s crazy.”

Salsich sang “Honky Tonk Blues” for his blind audition and sold himself on all four of The Voice judges. Kelly Clarkson, Chance the Rapper, Niall Horan and Blake Shelton all turned around, signaling the first time in the season all four judges wanted to snag a contestant.

“Those four chairs turning has changed my life and will probably continue to change my life in ways that when I look back in five, 10, 20 years from now, that’ll just be a complete moment in time that will always be identifiable to me as a turning point,” Salsich said.

Shelton “blocked” Clarkson from being one of Salsich’s options, and Salsich ultimately chose Shelton as his coach. The current season (No. 23) will be Shelton’s last.

“It’s already special enough to be on The Voice and to turn any chairs at all, but to be able to be on Blake’s last season of The Voice is, you know, who wouldn’t want to work with him,” Salsich said.

Salsich said working with Shelton has been great so far and the American country singer is just like he seems on camera, although perhaps taller than Salsich realized.

“He just kind of exudes cool energy,” Salsich said.

The Voice Season 23 premiered March 6. Fans can tune in on NBC or on Peacock the day after episodes air. This season will include battle rounds, knockouts, playoffs and live performance shows.

What’s next for the St. Louis singer?

After his run on The Voice, Salsich said he plans to continue touring with The Mighty Pines. The band’s website describes its genre as “bluegrass meets acoustic soul and rock & roll.”

Although he’s now founded a band and made a name for himself on The Voice, Salsich didn’t always plan to pursue music seriously. He played coffee shop gigs in high school, but “never saw music as a career.”

Salsich majored in English with a minor in music, but he failed his minor, according to his profile on The Voice. After college, he decided to put more energy into his music and eventually founded The Mighty Pines.

“We were a very grassroots band in the sense that we just kind of figured out how to do it one gig at a time,” Salsich said.

The Mighty Pines has tour dates set in the St. Louis area and beyond.

Salsich said the most practical piece of advice he would give to aspiring musicians in St. Louis is to expect the less exciting parts of the job.

“Doing music well is hard work. So just know that and be prepared for it, because there’s going to be times where it doesn’t feel very fun, or there’s going to be times where it doesn’t feel like you’re very good,” Salsich said.

Those doubts are very natural, Salsich added.