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Ryan Whyte Maloney, a versatile musician and contestant from NBC's "The Voice," has died at age 44 in Las Vegas. The Clark County Coroner confirmed his passing on January 28, 2025, just one day after his final performance at Nine Fine Irishmen.
Born in Traverse City, Michigan, Maloney's musical journey began early, mastering multiple instruments including guitar, violin, cello, and drums. His professional career launched as the frontman of the prog-rock band Indulge, with whom he recorded "Tomorrow's Another Day" in 2005. After a decade of touring, Maloney ventured into solo territory, collaborating with producer Sean O'Dwyer, known for his work with The Black Crowes and Pink Floyd.
"When the opportunity arose to showcase my talent on The Voice, I was in a dire state during filming," Maloney revealed in a poignant Instagram post on January 16, 2025. Despite facing significant personal challenges during that period, his blind audition performance of Journey's "Lights" earned him a rare four-chair turn from coaches Blake Shelton, Adam Levine, Usher, and Shakira.
His time on "The Voice" in 2014 proved transformative, with Maloney joining Team Blake and advancing through two Battle rounds. During his stint on the show, he recorded several successful covers, including Tina Turner's "What's Love Got to Do with It" and Shinedown's "Second Chance."
Recent years saw Maloney's career flourishing in Las Vegas, where he maintained a residency at Blake Shelton's Ole Red venue through 2024. His original music continued to evolve, with country radio releases including "Don't Put Me in a Box" and "Love with Nowhere to Go" in 2023. Throughout his career, he shared stages with industry giants like Tim McGraw, Morgan Wallen, and Ed Sheeran.
In his final social media post from TruNorth Recording Studio, Maloney exhibited his characteristic enthusiasm: "Wake up. Let's kill this day baby!" This energy exemplified the passion he brought to his craft throughout his two-decade career in music.
Maloney's journey from a small-town Michigan musician to a nationally recognized performer showcases the resilience of an artist who, despite personal struggles, continued to pursue his musical dreams until the very end. His legacy lives on through his recordings, performances, and the countless lives he touched through his music.
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