Betsy Ade, singer for Milwaukee band Well-Known Strangers, joins John Legend's team on 'The Voice'
The frontwoman for Milwaukee-area alt-rock band Well-Known Strangers aced her blind audition on Tuesday's episode of NBC's singing competition series.
Betsy Ade, singer for Milwaukee band Well-Known Strangers, joins John Legend's team on 'The Voice' The frontwoman for Milwaukee-area alt-rock band Well-Known Strangers aced her blind audition on Tuesday's episode of NBC's singing competition series. Check out this story on jsonline.com: https://www.jsonline.com/story/entertainment/music/2019/03/06/milwaukee-rocker-betsy-ade-joins-john-legends-team-the-voice/3080411002/
Piet Levy, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Published 12:25 p.m. CT March 6, 2019 | Updated 2:03 p.m. CT March 6, 2019
Betsy Ade, frontwoman for Milwaukee-area alt-rock band Well-Known Strangers, became much better known overnight after auditioning on Tuesday's episode of "The Voice."
Performing a ravishing rendition of Florence + The Machine's "Hunger," Ade inspired celebrity mentors Adam Levine and John Legend to turn their chairs during the blind auditions.
Ade opted to join Legend's team, saying on the show that her preteen son — seen sweetly crying for joy during the audition — was a big fan of his.
"I felt your power, I felt your energy," Legend told her. "And when I turned around and saw you, this charisma, I loved the way you dressed, I loved your haircut, I love the vibe."
"When you delivered those big notes, I was right," he continued. "Betsy belongs on this show, and I am so glad you are here."
Betsy Ade from Kenosha, the frontwoman for Milwaukee-area alt rock band "Well-Known Strangers," appeared on Tuesday's episode of "The Voice" on NBC. After her blind audition of Florence + The Machine's "Hunger," Ade joined mentor John Legend's team. (Photo: Tyler Golden/NBC)
The Journal Sentinel spotlighted Well-Known Strangers in our Sound Check series last July, on the heels of the group's EP "Path Away," its third release since its formation in 2015.
The band's profile in the region grew considerably after becoming one of the finalists in the Journal Sentinel and Summerfest's "Land the Big Gig" competition in 2016, including higher-profile Summerfest and Wisconsin State Fair shows, and opening gigs for alt-rock bands like Blue October and Blind Melon.
Ade, winner of the Wisconsin Area Music Industry Awards' "Female Vocalist of the Year" in 2004, has also performed the national anthem at Chicago White Sox and Chicago Bulls games.
But "The Voice" appearance dramatically increased Ade's exposure. Last night's episode was watched by about 10 million people, according to Nielsen data, and Ade's audition video had north of 300,000 views on YouTube as of late Wednesday morning.
Betsy Ade, singer and songwriter for Milwaukee-area alt-rock band Well-Known Strangers, performs at the Land the Big Gig competition at Summerfest in 2016. Strangers took second place. Ade is now competing on the 16th season of NBC's "The Voice" as part of John Legend's team. (Photo: Rick Wood / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
Ade follows such fellow Wisconsin natives as Hannah Mrozak, Megan Ruger and twins Andi and Alex Peot who've had successful runs on "The Voice."
In the show's fall season last year, country rocker Chris Kroeze, from Barron, took second place. Kroeze recently released a self-titled album and is scheduled to play Milwaukee for the first time, at Turner Hall Ballroom, on March 15.
RELATED: At concerts, White Sox and Bulls games, folks are getting familiar with Well-Known Strangers
RELATED: Well-Known Strangers second place in Journal Sentinel and Summerfest's Land The Big Gig
RELATED: Wisconsin's Chris Kroeze comes in second place on 'The Voice,' Chevel Shepherd wins
RELATED: Richfield teen Hannah Mrozak talks about emotional journey on 'The Voice'
Contact Piet at (414) 223-5162 or plevy@journalsentinel.com. Follow him on Twitter at @pietlevy or Facebook at facebook.com/PietLevyMJS.
Piet also talks concerts, local music and more on "TAP'd In" with Jordan Lee. Hear it at 8 a.m. Thursdays on WYMS-FM (88.9), or wherever you get your podcasts.
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