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Why JJ Higgins Got No Chairs Despite His Blind Being Called the "Most Powerful" Yet
Sometimes you win even when you don't win.
JJ Higgins came to The Voice from his home in Nashville, Tennessee with his family in tow. The road to this stage was a long one with some incredible highs and terrible lows. JJ married his childhood sweetheart and less than a year later they were greeting their first child. Tragically, after a month in the NICU, they were forced to say goodbye too soon.
When they lost their son, JJ lost his passion for performing too, but life is long and there are surprises around every corner. Today they have a son, Jayce, who tagged along to see his dad audition at the Blinds on Season 25 of The Voice.
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JJ’s story is one of loss, but more importantly about the healing that can come later, and it’s a story encapsulated by the Kenny Loggins song “Return to Pooh Corner.” It’s a song about a childhood lost and recovered, about the ways life sometimes tosses us into the wilderness and how we find our way home.
Loggins wrote the song at 17, his own childhood just beginning to lag behind him. The song was originally recorded and released on the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’s 1970 album Uncle Charlie & His Dog Teddy under the title “House at Pooh Corner.” A year later it appeared on Sittin’ In by Loggins and Messina. Two decades later, when Loggins was nearing 40 and with his fourth child on the way, he found his way back to the Hundred Acre Wood. Loggins added another verse and retitled the song “Return to Pooh Corner” for his 1994 children’s album of the same name.
JJ Higgins Sings “Return to Pooh Corner” by Kenny Loggins on The Voice Season 25 Blind Auditions
VIDEO HERE
The Coaches listened as JJ belted his story, but they didn’t Turn, at least not until the audition was over. He didn’t earn a spot on anyone’s Team, but he did earn a spot in the Coaches’ hearts. “JJ brought a very special story to The Voice,” said Reba McEntire. “It’s a performance we’ll never forget.
When his wife was pregnant, JJ would come home from a long day at work, late at night, and find her still awake. The baby wouldn’t settle down, so he’d get on his hands and knees and sing “Return to Pooh Corner. Twelve years later, their son, Jayce, joined JJ on the stage, eyes full of tears and pride. “Just the experience of telling my story, that was all I needed,” JJ said.
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“Moments like this are bigger than this show or any kind of success in music,” said Shay Mooney of the Coaching duo Dan + Shay. “You should be proud of the man that you are.”
Chance the Rapper added, in a bit of post-performance commentary, “JJ didn’t get any Turns, but it was one of the more powerful performances. It made me misty-eyed.”
JJ didn’t lock down a spot on Season 25 of The Voice, but there’s more than one way to win in this life and it’s never too late to find your way back to the Wood.
Catch new episodes of The Voice Mondays at 8/7c and Tuesdays at 9/8c on NBC and next day on Peacock.
