Derby Native and 'The Voice' Runner-Up Signs with Country Talent Agency

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Jaelen Johnston, a Derby, Kansas native who was the runner-up on season 27 of 'The Voice', has signed with SixOneFive Agency, a Nashville-based talent management firm that specializes in country artists. The agency praised Johnston's raw, gritty sound and his potential to become a leading voice in the outlaw country genre.

Why it matters

Johnston's signing with a prominent country music talent agency represents a major milestone in his career, as he looks to capitalize on the momentum from his success on 'The Voice' and establish himself as a rising star in the country music scene.

The details

SixOneFive Agency announced the signing on Facebook, describing Johnston as "country music's new renegade" with a "voice equal parts grit, gravel, and soul." The agency said Johnston's music is "raw, unpolished in all the right ways, and steeped in the spirit of the rebels who came before him," drawing from his Midwestern upbringing and the influence of country legends like Waylon Jennings and Chris LeDoux.

• Jaelen Johnston was the runner-up on season 27 of 'The Voice' in 2026.
• SixOneFive Agency announced Johnston's signing on February 17, 2026.