MSU Student Evan James Joins Team Adam on ‘The Voice’

If you were watching NBC's The Voice Tuesday night and thought one of those singers looked a little familiar, there's a good reason.

Michigan's Evan James is officially moving on in the competition, and he's doing it as a member of Team Adam.

Michigan State student Evan James will join Team Adam for Season 30 of NBC's "The Voice." Photo via Facebook (The Voice)

Evan grew up on a Christmas tree farm in Highland, near Hartland. He's currently studying public relations at Michigan State University.

Michigan State’s Evan James Turns 3 Chairs on ‘The Voice’

He performed Morgan Wallen's "Wasted on You" during the Blind Auditions and managed to get three coaches to turn their chairs: Adam Levine, Kelly Clarkson and Riley Green. Queen Latifah was the only coach who didn't turn, but her team was already full.

Kelly praised Evan for taking such a recognizable Morgan Wallen song and making it his own, telling him, "That's a difficult thing to do with such a popular song."

Riley Green liked the way Evan grew into the performance, saying by the end he had reached a place where he really "owned the song."

Why Evan James Chose Team Adam

But Adam Levine may have made the smartest pitch.

Adam pointed out that Riley's team was already loaded with country singers, while Evan would occupy a much different space on Team Adam.

"You would definitely stand out," Levine told him.

Apparently Evan agreed.

He picked Adam.

The Time I Handed Evan James My Jeep Keys

I've actually met Evan before, which makes this one pretty cool to watch.

Back in 2025, he opened for Mid-Michigan artist Cooper Johnson at Hidden Creek Farms in Charlotte. At one point Evan's girlfriend had an emergency, and he needed a vehicle for about an hour.

Wanting to help, I handed him the keys to my Jeep.

He brought it back.

And note this. He brought it back with a full tank of gas.

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So, yeah, I was already rooting for the guy.

Now Michigan gets to watch and see just how far Evan James can go on Team Adam.

Famous Singers from The Voice, Then + Now

Ten years (and counting) made a huge difference for many of the most popular singers and stars of The Voice. Blake Shelton looks noticeably different, but so do some of country music's most memorable performers.

Winners like Cassadee Pope and Danielle Bradbery wore baby faces when they auditioned during their respective seasons. The same can be said for Morgan Wallen, a forgotten castmember from the show who's transformed more than anyone else on this list of The Voice stars then and now.

Gallery Credit: Billy Dukes