Adam Levine and Blake Shelton continued to build their teams during “The Voice: Season Six” Blind Auditions. (Photo property of NBC)
By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com
This is the last week that artists have the chance to be mentored by four of the biggest names in music: Adam Levine, Blake Shelton, Shakira and Usher!
Here’s where our teams stood before tonight’s episode:
Team Adam: Cary Laine, Christina Grimmie, Dawn & Hawkes, Delvin Choice, Joshua Howard, Patrick Thompson & Sam Behymer
Team Shakira: Clarissa Serna, Dani Moz, Deja Hall, De’Shawn Washington, Emily B, Jeremy Briggs, Kristen Merlin, Lindsay Pagano & Music Box
Team Usher: Biff Gore, Bria Kelly, Brothers Walker, Madilyn Paige, Melissa Jimenez, Morgan Wallen, Stevie Jo, Tanner James & T.J. Wilkins
Team Blake: Audra McLaughlin, Jake Worthington, Lexi Luca, Megan Ruger, Noah Lis, Ryan Whyte Maloney & Sisaundra Lewis
Which artists impressed the coaches and claimed the remaining spots? Read on to find out…
Up first to face the coaches was 33-year-old Kat Perkins. She started out her career as a yodeling country singer at a Western revue. After five years of performing with them, Kat got a fresh start and formed a band called Scarlet Haze that opened up for Bon Jovi. Unfortunately, her musical world came crashing down after she divorced her drummer husband. Now, the former nanny hoped to turn all four chairs around. Her cover of “Gold Dust Woman” featured strong notes that would have made Stevie Nicks proud and caught the attention of Adam, Shakira and Usher. Despite Shakira wanting her to be an architect of her own destiny, Kat joined Team Adam.
The show is always about second chances and San Antonio native Paula DeAnda needed it. Her first song, “Doing Too Much,” received a lot of radio play without a label’s support. Paula’s world expanded after Clive Davis signed her. She also toured with Rihanna. However, her dreams of superstardom temporarily shut downed when her record label let her go. Paula fought for the coaches’ attention with her version of Ariana Grande’s “The Way” that showcased her beautiful falsetto. Despite Shakira wanting to improve her, Blake’s premonition of a victory made Paula enlist with the three-time winning coach’s team.
While 28-year-old Jake Barker had experience performing for YouTube, he had very little experience with live audiences. In fact, his Blind Audition was the first time he performed for an audience. When he first sang “When I Was Your Man,” I was worried that he was going to replicate Will Champlin’s heartbreaking cover that made him a star. Luckily, Jake was his own artist and who brought a refreshing take on the track that caught Usher, Adam and Shakira’s ears. I am glad that he enlisted with Usher because he could go far in this competition (especially the Live Rounds).
I was not keen on Team Blake’s Ria Eaton for one reason: her song! Anna Kendrick’s “Cups (When I’m Gone)” has been way overplayed on the radio and I was not a fan of Ria’s cover. Anyway, I hope Ria does grow as an artist and proves me wrong.
Eagle River, Alaska’s Cierra Mickens had law school in her future…but decided to pursue her musical dream. Her cover of Gnarls Barkley’s “Crazy” would have made Danger Mouse and the show’s former coach: The Lady Killer (We miss you, CeeLo Green!) proud. Cierra kept getting stronger throughout the song and was the first person to give me chills! While Blake and Usher showered her with complements, she was the first artist to pick Shakira!
For BFFs and Tulsa natives Alaska and Madi, the Voice was their last chance for their act to succeed as Alaska’s family moved to Texas. Their cover of The Civil Wars’ “Barton Hollow” brilliantly showcased their beautiful harmonies and a lovely a cappella finish that lead into one of the most intense Adam and Blake confrontations in the show’s history. While Adam literally begged for the girls to be on their team, they chose with their fellow home state’s native son: Blake Shelton.
Washington, D.C. lounge singer DDendyl hoped that the show could take her out of the lounge and into the spotlight. When she covered “Stand By Me,” I got the chills and she had the vibe of both Norah Jones and Celine Dion. I am very happy that Shakira got this firecracker!
The final contestant to take the stage was Indianapolis native Josh Kaufman. The 38-year-old father of three is a working musician and even though he has a Master’s of Philosophy and is an SAT tutor, music is his passion. His cover of George Michael’s “One More Try” saw elements of blue-eyed soul that Joe Cocker and Michael Bolton always emphasize. Josh was the only contestant that I gave a standing ovation to tonight! While all four coaches turned around for him, Josh enlisted with Team Adam.
Tomorrow night, all four coaches need one more artist to complete their teams!
