The talk of the town — Lincoln’s own contestant on NBC’s “The Voice” — Bryan Olesen finished in third place for Season 25.
Olesen delivered his finale performances Monday night, singing Benson Boone’s sentimental ballad “Beautiful Things,” following by a belting George Michael’s “Freedom! ’90.”
Announced during the Tuesday night finale, Asher HaVon of Selma (AL) received the most votes from the public to be the season’s winner.
Lincoln can now take credit for two finalists on the singing competition show, with Olesen joining Hannah Huston, who also came in third place in 2014 for Season 10.
“I’m so proud of you,” Olesen was told by his coach John Legend. “You went from having to fight your way onto the finale stage to be in the top three.”
As apart of Tuesday’s two-hour finale, Olesen and Legend performed a duet of Joe Bonamassa’s “Feelin’ Good.” See their performance below.
Olesen reposted the duet, writing, “I just sang with John Legend!!! What a dream!! That was the most amazing way to leave The Voice stage!!! Thank you America for giving me this experience !”
Looking ahead for Olesen, the Lied Center for Performing Arts has expressed interest in hosting him for an upcoming hometown performance, as they did for Huston after her finish on “The Voice.”
Olesen, 50, has been involved in Lincoln’s local music scene for many years. He performs lead vocals, guitar, and bass for the Christian rock band VOTA (formerly Casting Pearls) and also played guitar for the popular Christian band Newsboys from 2003 to 2006. Olesen said his bandmate John Wooten, the drummer of VOTA, encouraged him to audition for “The Voice” when he initially felt skeptical.
Olesen has appeared on KLIN’s airwaves several times, detailing his stunning audition of “Love Runs Out” by OneRepublic, and his battle round performance on Drive Time Nebraska with Doug Fitzgerald.