Aaron Nichols brought a dose of Music City energy to The Voice on Monday night, lighting up the stage with a gritty, full-throttle cover of Luke Combs’ “Beer Never Broke My Heart.”
A seasoned performer who honed his craft in the bars along Nashville’s Lower Broadway, Nichols looked right at home as he ripped through electric-guitar riffs and belted the chart-topping hit with confidence and swagger. His performance was amplified by sweeping multicolored lasers, neon guitar graphics flashing behind him, and his name glowing in bold lights—turning the stage into a full-on honky-tonk party.
From the opening note, Nichols had the audience and all four coaches smiling, nodding, and bouncing along to the irresistible beat. While the song is closely associated with Combs, Nichols made it his own, pouring charisma, heart, and raw energy into every line.
Ahead of the performance, the Team Reba contestant shared why the song felt like the perfect choice for the playoffs. “For the playoffs, I’m singing ‘Beer Never Broke My Heart.’ This is the first fun party song I get to do,” Nichols said. “I’m one step away from the live finale, so I’m very excited to get to show that side of me.”
The gamble paid off, earning Nichols high praise from the coaches.
“I love it,” Snoop Dogg said. “You performed like a superstar—the way you managed the band, the way you controlled the guitar, the way you sang. I feel like you can’t lose with him.” Reba McEntire quickly agreed, adding, “You did wonderful in rehearsal, but this was the cherry on top. Way to go.”
McEntire also explained the high stakes of the playoff rounds, noting that each coach can only choose one artist to advance directly to the Live Finale—a decision that grows more difficult with each performance.
“I love Aaron’s voice,” she said. “It’s very raspy, Chris Stapleton–esque. He set the bar real high, but I’ve still got three more to see.”
By the end of the December 1 episode, McEntire ultimately selected fellow team member Aubrey Nicole to move forward after her powerful rendition of Alannah Myles’ “Black Velvet.” While Nichols was not chosen as her finalist, his journey isn’t over yet. He remains eligible to advance through the audience vote, which closes on December 2.
Next week, Niall Horan and Snoop Dogg will take their turns in the playoff rounds before the competition heads into The Voice Live Finale. The two-night event is set to air December 15 and 16, 2025, on NBC, where viewers will decide who earns the title of champion.