KASSON, Minn. — On her flight to Los Angeles, Cori Kennedy journeyed with her guitar for the first time. She was headed to a national stage on “The Voice.”

She is one of the contestants who will boldly share their songs in the hopes of learning from judges and coaches Reba McEntire, Snoop Dogg, Michael Bublé and Niall Horan in season 28 of the NBC show.

The West Concord native and 2015 graduate of Kasson-Mantorville High School loves storytelling in her original country songs. She released singles “Hey Who Shot the Water Tower” and “Lawless” in March.

“I’m just so thrilled to be back on ‘The Voice’ and to hear your voice on that stage singing, it just took me back to Tennessee,” McEntire said in a

trailer

with Kennedy on the stage. “Makes me homesick.”

Kennedy was a standout softball and basketball player through high school. She also played softball at Minnesota State University, Mankato. Near the

end of her senior season,

Kennedy hit .364 with nine doubles, two triples, five home runs, 27 RBIs and 25 runs scored, as the Post Bulletin reported.

While singing about her family and local community, as her website says, Kennedy has 8,600 monthly listeners on Spotify.

“For most of my life, music had been my dream, but more like a ‘someday’ hobby than something I actually believed could be real. Standing there at that gate, I didn’t know what would happen next. I didn’t know if I’d fall flat on my face or if everything could change. All I knew was that I had to try or I’d regret it the rest of my life,” Kennedy said in a

Facebook post on Wednesday.

“… The process that followed brought a lot of uncertainty, tough moments, and even a few tears. But that’s the truth about chasing something that matters. It’s not always easy, but it’s worth it.”

“The Voice” will air on Sept. 22 on NBC and Peacock.

“Never been this far out West way out past the Rockies in LAX, feeling too small for the part I play but I hold on anyway,” Kennedy sang in a song with the post. “One last look at that small town sky, held my breath as I waved goodbye. I played into the ceilings and the worn out floor, dreams got lost in the revolving door. Still wonder if it’s going to mean something some day but I hold on anyway.”

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