It's smooth sailing into 'The Voice' finals for Montgomery's D.Smooth

Though there's no telling who is going to win season 23 of "The Voice" next week, it's a sure bet the finals will have a breath of "silky smooth" fresh air.

"It's all or nothing" said Montgomery resident D.Smooth, before meeting with his "proud momma bear" of a coach, Kelly Clarkson.

The native of Mulga, just north of Birmingham, is in the top five after Monday night's live instant vote during the semi-finals. Results were announced at the end of the show.

"I kinda harp myself on being different," D.Smooth said. "I feel like Kelly sees that in me, and that's why she keeps rolling with me. I'm grateful."

He's got a lot to be grateful for, especially to all of the viewers. D.Smooth was was the second artist of the night to be named in the top 5.

"I'm so glad that America gets to see what we've been seeing your whole life," said D.Smooth's mom, Michelle.

All four coaches have representatives making it to the finals. Along with Clarkson's D.Smooth, the top five also include Gina Miles (Team Niall), sister trio Sorelle (Team Chance), and Grace West and NOIVAS (both of Team Blake),

Clarkson said D.Smooth has a voice that is both raspy and smooth at the same time, and that he's the kind of singer who can tackle any genre.

D.Smooth proved it Monday, singing Ed Sheeran's "Thinking Out Loud."

"D.Smooth has his own vibe, no matter what he's singing," Clarkson said. "It could be a singer-songwriter song, rock'n'roll song, soulful song. And I think that's really magical, and that's what can get him to the top 5."

She was right, and it's put D.Smooth on a path he's been aiming for all along.

"My family has put me on their backs, and now it seems like the roles have turned," D.Smooth said. "To be able to support my family, that's all I care about."

The top 5 will compete in the live finale Monday, May 22, at 7 p.m. on NBC.

Semi-finals with Montgomery's Ryley Tate Wilson

Ryley Tate Wilson, this season's other Montgomery singing sensation in the semi-finals, did not make the top 5 Monday.

The episode's top 8 performances opened with 15-year-old Ryley Tate singing Billy Joel's 1977 hit "Vienna." The multi-instrumentalist stepped the up the song's difficulty, playing piano for the first time this season. That drew praise from Clarkson and Blake Shelton.

"Your voice is so dynamic, and you're able to play with it," Shelton said.

"It takes a lot to get up there and play live piano on TV," said Ryley Tate's coach Niall Horan.

The voting process was different than in previous years for the show. After all eight performers sang, "The Voice" opened a five-minute window for voting. People could only select one person to vote for this year on nbc.com and the official "The Voice" app. The results left Ryley Tate in the bottom three.

"I do feel protective over him, because I remember what it was like to be on a TV show, and being that young," Horan said.

The episode also featured time with Ryley Tate's favorite teacher and California roommate, his mom Kelley Wilson.

"I'm so excited to be back," Ryley Tate said. "I had a good little break, to be at home. Feeling a bit famous."

"Small-town famous," Kelley said, before a scene of little kids getting Ryley Tate's autograph.

"It's super-cool to do this with my mom," Ryley Tate said. "She's helped me pursue my dream. I'm really grateful for that."

She's also busy doing mom stuff. "Your lips are a little dry," she told him.

Along with his mom, Ryley Tate had some extra special guests in the audience. His dad, Capt. Robert T. Wilson of Montgomery Fire Rescue, and Ryley Tate's four siblings flew in from Montgomery for the live show.

"Ryley Tate Wilson is a real star in the making," Horan said.

Montgomery Advertiser reporter Shannon Heupel covers things to do in the River Region. Contact him at sheupel@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: It's smooth sailing into 'The Voice' finals for Montgomery's D.Smooth