April 26: ‘The Voice’ premieres with Gilmer’s Curtis Grimes singing for stardom

Published 5:22 pm Sunday, April 26, 2020

“The Voice” singing competition premiered on this date in 2011 on NBC.

 On the show, celebrity judges mentor singers in rounds of competitions until a winner is crowned.

 Curtis Grimes, a country music singer from Gilmer, was a contestant on the first season. Although he did not make it to the finals, the exposure won him new fans. 

 In the Spotlight

— 2019: Marshall native Brea Grant stars in “Something Else.” 

— 2018 Frankston native Tye Sheridan is a guest on “Today” show.

— 2017: Tyler Junior College alumnus Shea Whigham begins the role of Moe Dammick on the TV series “Fargo.”

— 2014: MercyMe, a group once based in Greenville, has the No. 1 album on the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart with “Welcome to the New.”

— 2013: Matthew McConaughey, who grew up in Longview, stars in the movie “Mud.”

— 2012:  D.J. Pierce, who grew up in Paris and also is known by his drag queen persona Shangela, appears on “The Mentalist.”

— 2008: Crystal Powell, who was born in Tatum, is seen in the movie “Ball Don’t Lie.” 

— 2001: “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” opens on Broadway with Jacksonville native Tommy Hollis in the cast.

— 1997:  At age 48, Marshall native George Foreman defeats Lou Savarese to retain the world heavyweight boxing title.

— 1996: Terrell native Jamie Foxx appears in “The Truth about Cats and Dogs.”

— 1995: Tyler native Phyllis Cicero appears in the movie “Hollywood Deadbeat.”

— 1988: K.T. Oslin, who attended Lon Morris College, and The Oak Ridge Boys, featuring Lamar County native Duane Allen, appear on the  “TNN Viewers’ Choice Awards.”

— 1975: The Temptations, featuring Texarkana native Otis Williams, scores a No. 1 hit on Billboard R&B singles chart with “Shaky Ground.”

— 1969: Wood County native Ray Price’s “Sweetheart of the Year” peaks at No. 11 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs singles chart. 

— 1960: Kilgore native Glenn Holtzman appears on TV’s “The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp.”

— 1958: Johnny Mathis, who was born in Gilmer, performs on “The Ed Sullivan Show.”

— 1940: Wills Point native Lee “Lasses” White appears in “If I Had My Way” starring Bing Crosby