The Voice contestant Asher HaVon gets surprise banner at Selma City Hall

"The Voice" contestant and Selma native Asher HaVon was given a surprise banner drop in front of City Hall on Thursday afternoon.

Afterward, he told the Selma Sun and Black Belt News Network in an interview: “When I tell you I love my city. I. Love. My city!”

Asher is not a stranger to singing. He started as a young child, with his mother, Joanne Smith, encouraging him every step of the way. Asher grew up giving of himself and sharing his talent freely at community events, school functions, in church and rocking the house annually at Selma’s Jazz on the Grazz. If there was a stage, he wanted to be on it. The people wanted him on it. Many young adults (children at the time) recall him directing them as a choir in the original stage play that he co-wrote, “I Am Not a Statistic,” performed onstage at the Performing Arts Center. 

Asher’s teachers also gave him creative space as he grew up. His kindergarten teacher, Joslyn Reddick, was present and prayed for him on the steps of city hall. 

As the banner was dropped by Mayor James Perkins Jr. and his staff from the balcony, he chanted a call-and-response. “The Voice!” And, the crowd responded, “Asher”! 

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As Asher looked in amazement as the banner was revealed, he responded “That is so nice. I ain’t cried all year, and I ain’t finna cry now.” He passed the mic to his mother. “I am so grateful and honored that my son, Asher HaVon, is on The Voice,” she smiled. “It was a long time coming, but I thank God that he made it. One day he was discouraged. But I told him it’s not your time, it’s not your season—hold on to God‘s unchanging hand, and He will answer your prayers.” She ended with raised hands.

Small children were in the crowd. “I’m your biggest fan,” one shouted. “No, I am,” smiled another one. Asher hugged as many as he could, which may have been all of them. As they shared their giant dreams with him, he affirmed to them that they can surely be what they have dreamed up if they work really hard and pray. 

Asher thanked the crowd over and over again for gathering to celebrate his continued success, and he stuck around as long as the crowd did to take photos and pass out more hugs.  

So far, he has won every round he has competed in - producers’ audition, blind auditions, the battle, and on April 8, he won his knockout round. Next up are playoffs and then the live performance shows. Surely, Selma is watching NBC every Monday and Tuesday at 7 p.m. and cheering, “Team Asher”! “Team Reba”! “Team Selma!”

What if a kid from the east side of Selma, Alabama, grew up and won it all? Wouldn’t that be special.