Local musician advances in national singing competition
JULIE ENGLER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 3 weeks, 6 days AGO
Julie Engler covers Whitefish City Hall and writes community features for the Whitefish Pilot. She earned master's degrees in fine arts and education from the University of Montana. She can be reached at [email protected] or 406-882-3505. | October 14, 2026 1:00 AM
Ethan Thompson, performing as Alt Bloom, won a head-to-head battle with teammate Morgan Lett last night on the NBC singing competition “The Voice.” The two sang “Ex-factor” by Lauryn Hill as a duet.
The coaches on the panel complemented both singers.
After stating, “Whitefish, Montana,” Kelly Clarkson, a coach on the show, said Thompson had great range and compared his rendition to the way fellow coach, Adam Levine, might sing it.
“You stuck out,” Levine said to Thompson. “I got range. You got more, almost.”
Queen Latifah said he nailed the song and got “even better” with this arrangement.
Thompson said he wanted to play guitar on a record and Lett agreed. The two performed the song soulfully and had the crowd screaming for more.
Read more about Thompson's audition for the show here.
ARTICLES BY JULIE ENGLER
Giddyup for ski movies with local legends Maggie Voisin and Parkin Costain
Hometown skiing phenoms, Maggie Voisin and Parkin Costain, aka the Powder Cowboys, present the Stumptown Film Festival at the Majestic Valley Arena on Saturday, Nov. 7, just two dozen days before opening day of the ski season on Big Mountain.
Whitefish girls claim State A soccer championship
The Whitefish girls soccer team won the State A championship after beating rival and defending state champs Columbia Falls, 2-1 in a gritty and well-played match on Saturday at Smith Fields.
Friends remember Ron Rosenberg — a big man with a big heart
Ron Rosenberg grew up in Whitefish and, according to his friend and fellow local legend, Lin Akey, "Ron was one of the kindest human beings I've ever met. He had a big presence and a big personality and a big heart."