This song always hits me hard.
If you’ve lost someone close to you, Justin Moore‘s “If Heaven Wasn’t So Far Away” is pretty much guaranteed to bring a tear to your eye as you think about what you would do if you were just able to visit your loved ones who have passed away.
The song was written by Dallas Davidson, Rob Hatch and Brett Jones, and was originally recorded and released by Rhett Akins in 2006. But it wasn’t until Justin Moore released his version in 2011 as the leadoff single from his Outlaws Like Me album that the song became a major hit, becoming his second #1 single and remaining one of his signature songs today.
And last week during the round of 8 on The Voice, contestant Bryce Leatherwood put his own spin on Moore’s emotional hit – and earned praise from Justin himself.
Gotta be pretty cool to be recognized by the artist whose song you’re covering.
The 22-year old from Woodstock, Georgia auditioned for The Voice with Conway Twitty’s “Goodbye Time,” a song also recorded and released as a single by judge Blake Shelton back in 2004 – so it’s no surprise that he ended up on Team Blake after three judges turned their chairs.
He’s also performed hits by Travis Tritt, George Strait, Morgan Wallen and the Zac Brown Band along the way as he’s earned his place into the top 8.
And if there’s any question about whether the whole country thing is an act for Bryce, check out this video of a performance of “Hurricane” by Band of Heathens.
