Dec. 16--St. Charles singer Jeffery Austin did not win Season 9 of "The Voice" but he didn't walk away from the NBC singing competition empty handed Tuesday.
Austin, an alumnus of St. Charles North High School and Loyola University, received a new Nissan for reaching the top four of the contest and new confidence in his singing ability.
Austin placed fourth while Kentucky singer Jordan Smith was crowned the winner Tuesday after multiple performances by the finalists and by Coldplay, Sam Hunt, Justin Bieber and other artists. Smith is slated to receive a record deal.
Austin, who said at the summer auditions for "The Voice" that he had not performed publicly in six years, told the Tribune earlier this week he still plans to pursue a career in the music industry. He was coached by mentor Gwen Stefani, lead singer of No Doubt.
There were three other contestants with Chicago ties on the show this season: South Side native Mark Hood, Mount Prospect's Hanna Ashbrook and Irish singer Keith Semple, who lives in the Aurora area.
The eliminated contestants returned to the show Tuesday to perform in various group songs.
