Norman resident picks Dan + Shay on 'The Voice

Mar. 26—Many Norman residents took notice when a local musician made an appearance on NBC's "The Voice."

AJ Harvey told The Transcript he wasn't planning to audition at all. The network had contacted Harvey through his social media page and asked him if he was interested in auditioning.

"I thought it was a joke," Harvey said. "With the way the internet is, there are scams where people promise to get you on TV if you send them money."

He was contacted in December 2022, but waited until the next month to reply.

"'The Voice' was not something I would have normally thought about auditioning for.

With support from my girlfriend and friends, I auditioned," he said. "I went through months and months of artist interviews, which I filmed right here in my apartment near [the OU] campus."

On March 11, NBC aired Season 25 Episode 5 where Harvey sang Bob Dylan's "Girl from the North Country" in the blind auditions which impressed Chance the Rapper and Dan + Shay who turned their chairs to recruit him to join their respective teams.

At a certain point, Chance the Rapper pressed a button prompting sirens, then the words "Pick Chance" appeared on screen. Carson Daly, the show's host, said the judge could only use this form of emphasis once in the show. Despite Chance's effort to recruit Harvey, the Norman local chose to join Dan + Shay's team.

"I have a comfortability with them already in their music," Harvey said. "I never considered myself strictly pop, rock or country," Harvey said. I've dipped into every pool of music and was exposed to Dan + Shay early in their career, so I relate to them."

Dan Smyers, Dan + Shay member, spoke highly of Harvey.

"I feel like you got what it takes to do really, really well on this show," he said.

Harvey told the Transcript he would have been pleased to work with Chance as well.

"I do love Chance, his music, and who he is as a person, because he's a very nice guy," Harvey said. "I just felt that Dan + Shay could have heard something in me that they would understand."

Harvey is originally from Wichita, Kansas, but moved to Norman in 2020 during the pandemic to try to make his name in music. He said he was attracted to the local music scene, as well as the Native American presence in the Oklahoma City area.

A Ponca citizen, Harvey also claims Pawnee, Northern Sac and Fox, and Hidatsa ancestry.

Harvey said he feels fortunate that his appearance on "The Voice" follows his appearance on "Killers of the Flower Moon" where he starred as Charlie Whitehorn.

"He was a real Osage who was really murdered for his money," Harvey said. "He's featured in the movie a few times in the trailers for promotional stuff for the movie."

He spent two days on set where he met Martin Scorsese and the production team. He also learned that he is a distant relative through adoption of the man who he played.

Had Harvey not been living in Oklahoma, he said he may not have had the chance to work in "Killers of the Flower Moon."

"I was working at Target, and they were able to move me anywhere I wanted. I looked at Oklahoma City, and being American Indian with extended family there, I felt that would be a safe space for me to be completely on my own," he said. "It's been a blessing being here, not just in the general Oklahoma City area, but Norman."

He has had a residency at The Deli at Campus Corner, and he's sung at other venues, such as Bluebonnet Bar.

Celia Monroe, former open mic host at Bluebonnet Cafe, said she watched the episode and has followed Harvey since he established a presence in Norman.

"We were so proud of him doing so well. This is such a good opportunity. He's just so kind and generous. It's nice to see somebody like that achieving good things," Monroe said. "He loves old blues, Americana and jazz. He's a pretty versatile musician."

She said she isn't surprised at Harvey's success.

"I first met him at an open mic, and he was already doing well," Monroe said. "Anytime he's ever come in and done that, not only does he do such a fantastic job himself, but he really helps and supports other artists."

Danielle Tipton, production manager at The Depot, said she enjoyed watching him on TV.

"He was amazing on 'The Voice.' It was so fun to see him," she said. "He plays a lot with different Native communities here. I think people outside the tribes are getting to know him as a musician, and he's absolutely incredible. I'm glad he got to have an experience on 'The Voice' and that he gave a shout out to Norman."

Harvey plays for Biscuits and Groovy, a Norman-based band, which performs at The Deli on Thursdays at 10 p.m.

"Being part of the band Biscuits and Groovy and being established here around campus has been a cool thing. This is where my support has been," Harvey said. "I have nothing but thanks for the people in Norman who have not just been nice for recognizing me on 'The Voice,' but for letting me be on the music scene here in Norman."

Harvey said he is creating new music, which will drop at the end of April. For more information, he said to follow him on Instagram, Spotify, and Apple Music.

Brian King covers education and politics for The Transcript. Reach him at bking@normantranscript.com.