A Marshfield native and his bandmates recently took center stage on NBC’s The Voice, earning a coveted four-chair turn during their blind audition and winning over millions of viewers across the country.
DEK of Hearts, a powerhouse trio blending country, pop, and bluegrass, was featured on Season 28 of The Voice on Monday, Sept. 22. Their performance captivated both the studio and television audiences, quickly amassing more than 7 million views across platforms.
The group, formed after graduating from Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, is made up of Dylan John of Munroe Falls, Ohio, Emily Cox of Terre Haute, Indiana, and Marshfield’s own Kollin Bailey.
Together, they fuse their individual strengths, Dylan’s pop and soul guitar style, Emily’s powerhouse vocals rooted in R&B and gospel, and Kollin’s mandolin, acoustic guitar, and bluegrass influences, into a seamless harmony that has quickly propelled them into the national spotlight.
For Bailey, performing on The Voice is the latest chapter in a journey that began right here in Marshfield. In fact, the trio’s first official performance was at the Missouri Cherry Blossom Festival in April 2024, where they opened for bluegrass legend Rhonda Vincent.
“Something that makes Marshfield special is that our first ever performance as the trio was in Marshfield,” Bailey said. “Even though I’m the only one of us actually from there, we all feel so at home and we’ve felt so supported since the beginning. It always feels like home for us.”
The group plans to return to Marshfield summer 2026, with Bailey noting that they are working with local leaders to line up a July performance.
The trio’s path to national television started with a simple Instagram ad.
“We saw the ad and auditioned that night,” Bailey said. “We talked about it, decided to go for it, and sent in a video. That’s how it all began.”
When it came time for their blind audition, nerves ran high. Cox recalled that they chose “Heads California,” a song they often opened shows with.
“We prayed for just one chair to turn,” Bailey added. “Before we even got to the verse, all four turned. We were so relieved.”
The group ultimately chose to join Team Niall Horan, noting his experience with One Direction and his fresh perspective on groups.
“It wasn’t an easy choice,” John said. “Reba fought so hard for us, but Niall felt like the right fit.”
Bailey said the support from his hometown has been overwhelming.
“Every time we’ve played in Marshfield, it’s basically a sold-out show,” he said. “We always feel so supported. Jason Rost even put our song in commercials before local football and basketball games. It feels like the whole town rallies around us.”
The outpouring of love on social media has been equally powerful. “Somebody told me that on Monday nights, Marshfield basically shuts down to watch The Voice,” Bailey laughed. “That is so special.”
As the trio continues their journey on The Voice, they remain focused on their dream of pursuing music full-time.
“It’s been our dream since we were little kids running around trying to sing and play guitar,” Cox said. “We hope people keep following us, because there’s so much more to come.”
“And keep watching The Voice!,” John added. “There’s so much more to come from all of the amazing artists involved this season.”
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