Former 'The Voice' contestants and world-class hockey converge at IIHF tournament in Utica

Tom Nitti left Season 24 of NBC’s "The Voice" for personal reasons but credited the show with introducing him to his fiancé, Ashley Bryant, as their seasons were filmed at the same time.

Nitti said fate played a big role in the couple’s story.

Bryant kicked off Season 25 Blind Auditions with a performance of Carrie Underwood's "Last Name" that got a last-minute chair turn from Reba McEntire – who also coached Nitti last season.

Nitti and Bryant weren’t able to make it past the Knockout Rounds.

“But we have each other,” said Nitti. “And that’s proven beneficial to our musical (and life) journeys,” he added.

Last Sunday, the duo performed at the Subaru World Championship Village.

Nitti sat down with the Observer-Dispatch in an exclusive interview to reflect on the show and offer a sneak peek at what fans can look forward to next.

Performing at an Olympic Village

With the 2024 IIHF Women’s World Championship coming to a close on April 14, the county continues to relish its hard-launch onto a global stage.

The Subaru World Championship Village, a free fun zone for ticket holders, has been packed every night, Mohawk Valley Garden President Rob Esche said.

But, it's not just the region enjoying the international exposure; the performers are too.

“Getting to be part of an Olympic event was a great experience,” said Nitti. “The first thing I noticed was how community-oriented it all was. There were people grabbing food, riding the Ferris wheel, and kids kicking around the soccer ball.”

As far as energy, Nitti said the performance was different from what the band is used to, but in a good way. The group got together a week prior to choose the lineup; they wanted to appear “upbeat and engaging” so they replaced four older songs with newer ones, he said.

“People tuned in from the bar or out of nowhere they’d just start dancing on the turf area across from the stage,” Nitti laughed. “Playing at a venue with international visitors is something we wanted to capitalize on, to get our names out there. As our fan base expands it inspires us to create more music.”

Gaining global fans

In many ways the Big Frog Concert Series emulates the tournament itself – a blend of showcasing different cultures while cheering on our own, Nitti pointed out.

The schedule features a range of singers from Nashville-recording artists, such as Alexandra Kay and Dylan Marlow, to local artists, like Nitti.

While Nitti realized many were there for hockey, enjoying music in the meantime, he claimed his joint fanbase with Bryant has grown exponentially since The Voice and that many came just to see the two perform.

“I wouldn’t be where I am today without our day one fans,” Nitti acknowledged. “Those who’ve shown up for years at smaller venues, like the Alamo Bar and Grill, have made events like these possible for us.”

Nitti went on to applaud event organizers for not only spotlighting local artists, but treating them with respect as well.

“This can feel like a lucky break for bands just getting started,” Nitti said. “It gives them the reassurance and exposure they need to keep pursuing their dreams. I appreciate how everyone treated us when we walked through those doors – the green room, VIP lounge, and top-tier sound engineers. The only time I’ve felt catered to like that was back in California during The Voice.”

'She's my painter'

When asked what it's like to harmonize with Bryant, Nitti called it a “star-is-born type feeling.”

“We compliment each other's vocals so well,” he smiled. “Not to mention the love factor behind it all.”

Nittin recently got a tattoo of a cassette tape inscribed “she’s my painter”, inspired by Cody Johnson’s 2024 hit- single which quickly became the couple's favorite song.

“She adds color to my life,” said Nitti. “She’s my painter.”

According to Nitti, music and love are both rooted in the same thing; “it’s about being part of something bigger than yourself.”

“It’s surreal to harmonize while looking into her eyes,” he added. “It’s like how could I ever open my mouth to sing without that girl next to me now? It’s hard, that’s for sure.”

What's next?

What can fans look forward to? More local shows and new music with an “Ashley-influence,” Nitti assured.

This summer he plans to drop a single: “One Night Stand”; and another next winter: “Kentucky Got Me.”

According to Nitti, the duo flew out to Nashville to produce “One Night Stand” – Bryant’s vocals are featured on the track. While the second single doesn’t feature Bryant, Nitti said the lyrics are all about her.

Both are the first to be released with a deliberate “Ashley influence”, which Nitti said fans can expect from here on out since “she’s a big part of my life.”

As far as upcoming shows go, the couple intends to give back to the community and perform nearby all summer.

The duo will perform at the New York State Fair, Madison County Fair, Boonville Fair – opening for Cooper Allen, and the Sunshine Fair – opening for Josh Turner.

To follow the couple’s musical trajectory check out Nittit’s Facebook, where he said he regularly updates his show-list.

This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: 'The Voice' contestants Tom Nitti, Ashley Bryant appear in Utica