‘The Voice’: India Carney And Travis Ewing Become Early Standouts Of The Season
That didn’t take long! It’s only night three of the Blind Auditions, and the coaches of The Voice are already starting to get a little stir crazy. Unable to stay in one place for one instant longer, Adam Levine attempted his own mid-show Blind for fellow coaches Pharrell, Christina Aguilera and Blake Shelton. His cover of Elton John’s “Tiny Dancer” earned not just a look of bored annoyance from Xtina, but also a four-chair turn (with Pharrell serving as Adam’s proxy). Adam is still really struggling to pick up good singers, but at least he had his moment in the sun.
In addition to the Blind Audition: Coach Edition, some actual contestants got a chance to try out last night. Here’s who made it to the next round:
Kelsie May, 15 – Kentucky
While it might seem like a counterintuitive parenting move, it was 15 year-old Kelsie May’s parents who actually convinced her to put videos of herself on the Internet. (Warning: some of these music videos contain instances of amateur dramatic teen acting.) Now, the sweet teen performs in shows that benefit Make-A-Wish.
Kelsie May hits some good runs in her twangy performance of Loretta Lynn’s “You’re Lookin’ At Country,” and catches the attention of Blake (obviously), Pharrell and Christina.
“It’s really cool to see someone so young and so clear on what they want to do,” says Pharrell, who knows he stands no chance. “You are special, and it’s going to be awesome to watch you on this show.”
“You hear people on country radio right now that were on Team Blake,” says the country coach, who lists such success stories as the Swon Brothers, RaeLynn and Craig Wayne Boyd. “That’s why I don’t want you to get swept up in some of the stuff that you’re hearing down here.”
“Blake will have a lot of country artists on his team and I would love for you to represent country on my team as the one and only country voice,” says Christina, who is in denial that it’s already over.
Nice effort, Christina, but Little Loretta Lynn goes to Team Blake.
Kimberly Nicole, 32 – New York
Known as the “Rock Ballerina” because of the custom tutu ensembles she wears performing at famed New York nightclub The Box, Kimberly Nicole exudes star quality in her Blind Audition. The soulful rocker sings Ike and Tina Turner’s “Nutbush City Limits,” and earns turns from Blake and Pharrell.
“I feel your soul and I feel your groove. That’s the kind of stuff that I love, is people who look like one thing but are interested in a totally different thing,” says Pharrell.
“I just want to get behind you and give you as much momentum as I can throughout this entire process, and make sure the spotlight is always shining on you,” offers Blake.
Another excellent effort by a coach with no chance, but Kimberly Nicole joins Team Pharrell.
Michael Leier, 20 – North Dakota
Fargo Native Michael Leier first picked up a guitar when he was 12, and began performing in bars with his band when he was 16. The band has since gone their separate ways, as high school bands tend to do, but the onetime pre-med student still hangs on to his music dreams.
Michael sings “Last Kiss,” and sounds like he’s channeling Eddie Vedder via the Pearl Jam rendition. Adam turns around early, and Blake turns around at the last moment to challenge him.
“I’m much more sensitive to people who try to sound like [Eddie Vedder], it really frankly kind of annoys me, but you didn’t sound anything like him,” says Adam, who was perhaps listening to a different audition.
“You have this strength and this grit on your vocal. It’s unbelievable. You are a phenomenal singer,” says Blake.
Nice words from Blake, but Michael joins fellow rocker Adam on Team Levine.
Travis Ewing, 23 – Louisiana
One-man band Travis Ewing leaves his beat box and guitar at home for his Voice audition. The New Orleans native performs his own take on Destiny’s Child’s “Say My Name.” Unfortunately, it’s like violating the rules of a paint-by-number Mona Lisa: don’t mess with a great thing unless you’ve got a really solid vision. Nevertheless, Christina, Blake and Pharrell dig his gravelly voice.
“I heard the silkiness, the texture of your voice, it had a charm,” says Christina. “Really interesting song choice.”
“I’ve had a lot of success on this show working with artists who, artistically, are absolutely nothing like me,” says Blake. “My job is to help shine the spotlight on you as best I can and represent who you want to be.”
“I was last, but it’s because I was listening,” says Pharrell. “The one thing that I’m relentless about is mixing things up. I would really like a shot at assisting you and your vision.”
Travis strategically picks the producer in the group, and joins Team Pharrell.
Sonic, 23 – California
Try very hard to get past the fact that this next artist calls herself Sonic for at least long enough to take in her audition unbiased (then go back to judging, because why else are you watching four hours of a reality singing competition this week?). Sonic sings Sam Smith’s challenging “Money On My Mind,” and earns turns from Christina and Adam before losing it in her shrill upper register.
“What we responded to in the beginning was just how controlled and legit it was,” says Adam. “You knew this girl could sing from the first note, and then you fell apart a little bit.”
“You were going from top to bottom, and that’s really, really hard to do. You really took on a huge challenge,” says Christina. “I’m ready to go to bat for you.”
Batter up: Sonic joins Team Xtina.
Jacob Rummell, 18 – Ohio
Get ready for a coach thrill only rivaled by that of a returning contestant: a male singer who has a feminine voice! Adam and Blake all but ask for proof of gender when they turn around to discover that Jacob Rummell is a man, and can’t seem to focus on anything else. Jacob does Bruno Mars’ “Count On Me,” and the performance is simple and has a lovely tone, though he suffers through some minor pitchy moments. But back to the coaches being surprised he’s a dude…
“You do not look like what I thought you were going to look like,” Blake marvels. “I’m here to help you become the best Jacob that you can be.”
“What I liked about it is that you weren’t trying to do something that everyone else does,” says Adam. “You and I probably have more records in common.”
Jacob sounds like he’s about to say Adam, but then changes his mind and picks Blake.
Barry Minniefield, 52 – California
At first, it seems like chef-turned-performer Barry Minniefield is just name-dropping when he talks about the comedians he has befriended while serving as executive chef at the Improv Hollywood. It all becomes real, however, when he receives a video message from Jay Leno. Sorry for doubting you, Barry.
The oldest contestant in the competition sings Billy Paul’s “Me And Mrs. Jones,” and his deep voice is very soulful. The mature artist is thrilled to receive a last-moment spin from Adam.
“I’m hurting, and you made me feel so much better,” says Adam. “I couldn’t be happier.”
India Carney, 21 – Brooklyn, New York
Closing out the night is UCLA student India Carney. The LaGuardia High School alum is a classically trained vocalist, but wants to go down the contemporary path. India sings Billy Joel’s “New York State Of Mind,” and – true to her status as a night closer – earns a four-chair turn and standing ovations from all four coaches.
“I need you on my team,” says Christina. “You are a vocal beast, and I want to take a woman to the end of the line.”
“I believe in you 300 percent,” says Blake, never one for math. “I’d buy a ticket to my own rehearsals to listen to you.”
Pharrell itemizes his appeal. “Four things: Congratulations for making it on the show. I would love, love to have a voice like that on my team. Should you not pick to be on my team, there’s the possibility of getting stolen. If you don’t get stolen it means you’re just that good.”
“You were so good that I had to push my button for you,” says Adam, whose team is filling up. “You’re going to the end of this thing, and I want to be on that train.”
India decides to go with the singer who was most influential in her childhood, and joins Team Christina. It’s a big win for Team X!
Untelevised: Perhaps one day these untelevised performers will win viewers’ hearts. Until that day, let’s get them down for posterity.
Team Pharrell picks up high school student Noelle Bybee, Christina adds pop singer Clinton Washington, and Blake adds country artist Matt Snook.
Adam makes quite a few untelevised pickups. Bren’nae DeBarge, of the legendary DeBarge family, brings her rhythm of the night to Team Adam, and is joined by FedEx employee James McNeiece (who looks like the bully in a 90’s teen movie) and indie artist Nicolette Maré.
The teams continue to shape up when the Blind Auditions continue tonight! Which team do you think looks the strongest at this early part of the competition?