Dayton native pairs with ‘The Voice’ finalist for debut as The Lovers -- and they’re playing in town this weekend

“They didn’t doubt my determination,” Amanda June says of her parents’ support. “They knew that as soon as I was old enough to move out on my own that I was headed to Nashville to pursue a career as a touring singer-songwriter.”

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Amanda is one half of the sultry-country duo The Lovers, singing and strumming alongside Cole Vosbury, who you might recognize from his stint on a little television show called "The Voice" where he placed in the top four on the series' fifth season.

They will be appearing live at 11 a.m. at this weekend's Outdoor X and again at The Scarlett Raven that night beginning at 8 p.m.

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Born in downtown Dayton, Amanda and her family moved to a suburban house a few minutes away the following year. She lived a typical childhood there, warm and lazy summer days riding bikes in her neighborhood and just a few doors down from her best friend.

“I was fortunate to grow up there when I did, it definitely shaped who I am today,” she says.

Amanda started playing the guitar at 14, learning the basic from her dad’s friend and then teaching herself through studying the songs of the artists she liked.

“I also give credit to Cole for influencing me since I moved to Nashville,” Amanda said. “He teaches me and pushes me to be a better vocalist and guitarist.”

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Cole was raised in Shreveport, Louisiana and comes from a musically gifted family. His grandma Nita taught him to sing at the age of 5, then he started singing in church at 6. His first love was for the drums, but Cole found his way to the piano at age 12. Then at 13, he picked up the guitar.

“I was hooked,” he said. “I just soaked up as much as I could from my dad and other musicians.”

When Amanda and Cole first met, it was a few days after he had left “The Voice” in 2014. He’d just arrived in Nashville and stopped at Puckett’s Boathouse in Franklin, Tennessee to grab a bite to eat. Amanda was on stage singing at a writer’s night and was there with her friend Walker Hayes. Cole and Walker had mutual friends, and even though she had no idea who Cole was, the two were introduced and hit it off. They exchanged numbers for a chance to co-write, “and the rest is history,” as Amanda puts it.

The pair’s sound is smooth and their tones compliment one another. Cole has a gruff, soulful manner, complimented by Amanda’s strong and confidently passionate voice. When I asked what made them want to collaborate, Cole answered “It was just very natural for us, singing together. It feels like one voice sometimes. We love having each other to lean on and rely on.”

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Both Amanda and Cole could not see themselves doing anything other than what they are doing now, saying that they would be lost without music. I myself have had their EP on repeat while writing this article, and mark my words, we will be hearing from The Lovers for years to come.

Find out more about them at their website, theloversmusic.com.

Want to go?

WHAT: The Lovers at Outdoor X

WHEN: 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct 6

WHERE: Eastwood MetroPark, 1385 Harshman Road

WHAT: The Lovers at The Scarlet Raven

WHEN: 8 p.m. on Saturday, Oct 6

WHERE: 8381 N Main St, Dayton

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