71-year-old Cypress man auditioning for 'The Voice'

HOUSTON – Darrell Petty, of Cypress, said he's been singing most of his life.

He now wants to share his voice with the rest of the world -- hoping to win an audition Saturday afternoon to sing on NBC's hit show "The Voice."

"I've been working on it for a couple of years just trying to get ready to do it," Petty, 71, said. "The day has finally come."

Petty is a bus aide for Cypress ISD.

He rides every day with special needs students and for the entire ride -- both ways -- he said he sings with the kids.

"I sing every day on the bus. They sing along," he said. "I got them singing, most of them. We play the air guitar."

Petty was encouraged to audition for the show by his good friend Danny Olive -- the man who drives his school bus.

Olive has some advice for his buddy in the audition.

"Just be yourself and just sing like you're on the bus," Olive said. "If you do that you'll be home free."

The Houston area has had a couple of artists make it "home free" and win the whole thing in the past few years -- namely Danielle Bradbery and Sundance Head.

Petty said he's a little nervous but goes in knowing he has family and friends giving him support.

"Everybody is. Seem to be supporting me rather well," he said. "Everybody's really more excited than I am. I'm sort of in shock I think."

Petty sings country music and describes his songs as "lying, dying, crying, cheating songs."


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