BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — A Bakersfield native earned his place in the competition on NBC’s ‘The Voice’, in year 28 of the show.
Aaron Nichols is among the artists to watch and has already earned rave reviews from the coaches and fans alike. Tami Mlcoch, with 17 News, caught up with Nichols, who talked about his journey and his humble beginnings in Bakersfield.
It didn’t take long for Aaron Nichols to catch the ear of country superstar Reba McEntire during the blind auditions with his soulful rendition of Chris Stapleton’s “Cold.”
He also got a chair turn from Snoop Dogg and Michael Buble.
“It’s weird but there is a moment Reba turns and I black out a little bit. I just smile, I point at her, my brain is doing other things while I’m singing and then you kind of have to, oh yeah I have the rest of this song to sing,” said Nichols.
Nichols moved to Nashville in 2022 to pursue music.
Bakersfield police search for 2 suspects wanted for burglary
He grew up in Bakersfield and graduated from Ridgeview High School. His childhood wasn’t easy, but he credits his mom with helping him become the husband, father and musician he is today.
“First 4 or 5 years of my life were in a really, rough area, my dad went to prison…worked 12 hour shifts at the hospital come home and nap with crazy kids running around and then go work cleaning houses to take care of all the extras, eventually guitar and piano lessons,” said Nichols.
Those guitar lessons paid off and Nichols eventually discovered his voice…a voice that could carry him all the way to the finale of “The Voice.”
The battle rounds of The Voice begin Monday at 8 p.m., on KGET-17.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17 News.