Riley Green faced his first major test as a coach on The Voice Season 30 when he had to choose between solo singer Brandy Neelly and sister duo Ferryn & Brinkley.

The country star, who is serving as a coach for the first time alongside fellow newcomer Queen Latifah, admitted that the decision was difficult after the three performers delivered a spirited rendition of Miranda Lambert’s “Mama’s Broken Heart.”

Riley Green Faces His First Battle

The Battle Rounds began shortly after all four coaches completed their teams, giving Green his first opportunity to decide which of his artists would continue in the competition.

For the opening battle on Team Riley, Green paired Neelly with sisters Ferryn & Brinkley. The three artists performed “Mama’s Broken Heart,” with Green and guest mentor Carly Pearce helping them prepare for the showdown.

After the performance, Green praised all three singers and the energy they brought to the stage.

“The performance was great,” he told them, adding that he was glad to have played a small creative role and worked with them during rehearsals.

Green said he had already expected the performance to be strong after seeing their energy during the acoustic rehearsal. He also praised the attitude they brought to the Miranda Lambert song.

The coach acknowledged that Ferryn & Brinkley had a natural advantage because they were accustomed to performing together.

Brandy Neelly Had a Personal Connection With Green

Neelly had another advantage of her own: a personal connection with Green that began during her Blind Audition.

The 31-year-old singer had turned both Green’s and Queen Latifah’s chairs when she performed Jo Dee Messina’s “Lesson in Leavin’.”

During that audition, Neelly revealed that she also works as a baker in Nashville. She showed Green a photo of a dessert her team had previously hired her to make for his birthday.

Green later joked that the cake gave Neelly an advantage in the Battle as well. He even offered to make her a cake if she had chosen his team.

But when it came time to make the decision, Green had to put the personal connection aside.

“It’s gonna be painful for me either way,” he told the contestants.

Green Chooses Ferryn & Brinkley

With host Carson Daly prompting him to make his decision, Green acknowledged just how difficult his first Battle choice was.

“This is my first time doing this,” Green said. “It’s really tough to make a decision between these [acts].”

Ultimately, Green chose Ferryn & Brinkley to remain on Team Riley.

The sisters, who are from Sevierville, Tenn., originally earned their place on the show after auditioning with the Everly Brothers’ “When Will I Be Loved.”

Green pointed to their status as the only duo on the show as a major reason for his decision.

“They’re the only duo on the show,” he explained. While he praised both sisters individually, he said their ability to sing together and maintain tight harmonies made them stand out.

Green ultimately viewed that combination as something that could make Ferryn & Brinkley “a real contender” on The Voice.

For Neelly, the Battle marked the end of her Season 30 journey, while Ferryn & Brinkley advanced with Team Riley.

The Battle Rounds continue Monday at 8 p.m. on NBC, with new episodes streaming the following day on Peacock.

Source: Compiled from various sources