Blake Shelton fails to recognize ex-bandmate on 'The Voice' premiere: 'Sounds like there's some history there!' - Yahoo Entertainment

But as the series’ one original coach, Blake Shelton, returned for a 20th season this Monday, he committed a similar faux pas — failing to realize that one auditioner, 45-year-old Pete Mroz, was actually his bandmate from 25 years ago.

And in the end, there was a Young Riders reunion of sorts, because in this case Blake had turned around, thus giving Pete the opportunity to join his team.

— The Voice (@NBCTheVoice) March 2, 2021.

When Pete Mroz was 19 years old, went by the stage name Pete Mitchell, and had aspirations to be “the next Garth Brooks,” he used to gig around Nashville with a rotating collective of songwriters dubbed the Young Riders – and one of those songwriters making those rounds was a pre-fame Blake.

At first, it seemed like Pete might have hard feelings on Monday’s Voice episode: When Blake spun around, Pete cocked an eyebrow and pointed deviously in his direction, then later told Blake, “Oh, I’m gonna get to you.” Said Blake, “Uh-oh.

But this wasn’t a real feud — apparently Pete and Blake have a similar sense of snark — so there was little chance that Pete would sign up with the one other coach who’d turned, John Legend, to “settle the score.” Instead, in a “full-circle” moment, Pete happily joined Team Blake.

(As soon as they started to reminisce about Blake’s ‘90s mullet, it was obvious that Pete was going to “go with the old cowboy.”) Blake said of this Pete reunion, “It’s just gonna be a blast to catch up with him and work with him.

But the main reason that I’m excited he’s on my team is I think he’s a helluva singer.” And so, the not-so-Young Riders (Pete described himself as the token “old guy” on The Voice) will ride again.

To be honest, I’m actually surprised that Blake hit his red button for Pete.

(“Helluva singer” was excessive praise.) Blake later recalled that when Pete first arrived in Nashville years ago, he was “more of a blues guy.” Actually, if there was any coach I would’ve expected to go for Pete, it would have been the similarly high-pitched Nick Jonas.

Yes, Nick is back on The Voice, JoBros fans?

Blake’s fiancé, Gwen Stefani, filled Nick’s red chair last season when the show returned to the Universal lot, and she finally had her first win as a coach — so, will Nick follow Gwen’s lead and score his first victory this year.

enjoy Nick's Rickrolling reunion with his Voice castmates above (can Rick please be a coach on Season 21?), and the other Blind Auditions of Monday’s Season 20 premiere below:?

Result: Team Kelly?

— The Voice (@NBCTheVoice) March 2, 2021.

Vocally, she reminded me of former Voice coach Jennifer Hudson (who’ll be playing Aretha Franklin in the forthcoming biopic Respect).

Nick and John — but surprisingly notKelly?

Result: Team Jonas!

— The Voice (@NBCTheVoice) March 2, 2021.

He seemed like total Team Legend material, but Nick blocked John.

Nick, Blake, and a blocked John.

Result: Team Blake.

— The Voice (@NBCTheVoice) March 2, 2021.

Result: Team Legend.

— The Voice (@NBCTheVoice) March 2, 2021.

Result: Team Jonas, obviously.

— The Voice (@NBCTheVoice) March 2, 2021.

John, Blake, and Nick!

Result: Team Jonas, understandably.

— The Voice (@NBCTheVoice) March 2, 2021.

Result: Team Kelly.

— The Voice (@NBCTheVoice) March 2, 2021.

Blake, Nick, and John

Result: Team Legend, of course