You heard him on “The Voice,” and on Wednesday, January 19, at noon, the Pell City Public Library will be welcome musician Berritt Haynes for a concert.  As a contestant on Season 21 of  “The Voice,” Berritt was a member of Blake Shelton’s team. 

Berritt experienced what he called a “dream come true” when he won a spot in the competition on Sept. 28, covering “Mercy” by Brett Young.  Berritt had originally hoped to meet the “The Voice” coaches through the “Make-A-Wish” Foundation when he faced open-heart surgery at age 17, but the COVID-19 pandemic got in the way.  He ultimately decided to audition for Season 21, and made it to the stage.  Haynes was the only singer from Alabama on “The Voice” for that season, following the path set by Emma Caroline Warren, Dexter Roberts, Levi Watkins, Cam Spinks, Kirk Jay, Red Marlow, Josie Jones, and others from Alabama who have competed as members of Blake Shelton’s team.

Berritt knew the competition would be tough, but he was accustomed to facing challenges. During childhood, he was diagnosed with a heart condition called Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, which results in a thickening of the heart muscle, making it harder for the heart to pump blood. When diagnosed, he was forced to cease his active involvement in sports, and instead turned his attention to music and BB shooting competitions. The Pell City native excelled at both, winning numerous awards in shooting competitions. He also participated in his school’s marching band, and Seddon Baptist Church’s Worship Leadership team. Though he has undergone several heart surgeries — including one to place a cardiac defibrillator in 2017, and open-heart surgery in 2019 — he is a fighter. 

The concert at the library will include Berritt’s favorite cover songs by Eric Clapton, John Mayer, Ed Sheeran, and many more. The event is free and the public is cordially invited to attend.