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Tis 'The Voice' Season!

Season 14 has now commenced!

By LadyBs BandShellPublished 6 years ago 12 min read
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The gang is back!

Hola hola dearies! Lady B here once again and with another entry for ya about a show that is once again gracing NBC! The Voice Season 14 commences!

I have been a fan of this show since its first season, and it has never let me down once. I admit, since American Idol had let me down on numerous occasions, I was pretty hesitant about The Voice and the artists they would have performing and competing. Being that most people, including myself, felt that American Idol tended to focus more on the individuals looks rather than their voice…seeing the audition process for The Voice gave me plenty of hope.

Seeing that the coaches chairs were turned around, this meant they couldn’t see the person auditioning and base their decision on ability and execution alone, that to me is what makes it fair and unbiased. I mean, in the previous 13 seasons, I have seen some individuals audition who clearly had talent, and yet they were missing just a tiny bit of something that would cause no chairs to turn. And even if no chairs would turn, each coach would make it a point to let the artist know what it was they DID like about their performance and what they feel needs a bit more work. In no way would the critiques sound unnecessarily harsh, and THANK GOD they have not had anyone throw a tantrum for not having being chosen.

Looking back at some of my favorite artists that I’ve seen throughout the seasons, it brings a warm feeling to my heart seeing them shine and doing well long after their time on the show. For those who have kept up with all the seasons like I have, we all have our favorites whom we STILL follow. Here is a list of some of the ones I, myself, keep up to date with:

Now while all the artists from season one to me were absolutely amazing…season two brought out a voice that would stick out like Elton John on Wall Street! Juliet Simms and her audition with the classic song "Ooh Darlin" by The Beatles just shook me down to my very core. Just watching her made me want to jump up, grab a mic, and just let it all go. Throughout her time on the show, she continued to wow me with her dedication and righteous execution of each song she sang! Aside from her audition song, her performance of "Roxanne" by The Police was also one to remember. Her guttural, raspy voice gave it just the right amount of edge to make it her own.

After her time on The Voice, Juliet has continued to make amazing music. Checking up on her work via YouTube, she is just KILLING it. Her song "Say Hello" off her 2017 EP From The Grave, has a feel of The Runaways; which is one of my all-time favorite all-girl bands. Another song I would highly recommend you check out that she has done, is "Not Broken Yet" featuring Andy Biersack. While Juliet has been known for her raspy and grunge-like style, this song just demonstrates how she is in no way not capable of adapting when performing a song that is a bit on the softer side. If there is ANYTHING that a musician must be able to do…it’s adapt when it comes to collaborations with other artists…and this gal certainly does that!

Ok, me being a rock chick all the way…it is NO surprise that Terry McDermott caught my eye with his performance of "Baba O'Riley" from The Who! You could just feel the passion in his voice when he was singing…ESPECIALLY when it came to the infamous line “THEY’RE ALL WASTED!” Throughout his time on the show, he just kept amazing me. Hearing him sing songs such as "Carry On My Wayward Son," "Summer of 69," "I Wanna Know What Love Is," and "Don’t Stop Believin," just made my love for the rock genre grow even more; and I didn’t even think it was possible.

After his stint on the show, Terry continued to make killer music. In 2013, his power-ballad entitled "Pictures," which apparently took him three days to write, had a completely overwhelming positive response from his fans and was rushed to iTunes. And what happened next, well…I guess one would say was complete magic! In less then five days after recording the song and LESS than 24 hours AFTER it was available for download, it hit NUMBER ONE on the iTunes Rock Chart and BROKE the Top 100 iTunes for ALL GENRES! I knew from the get-go that there was something special about Terry. From his audition, all the way to his originals such as "Pictures," "Lose This Feeling," and another favorite of mine; "Lost Again…"this guy is someone to keep an ear out for!

Multiple Members of Season 6!

As I am sure people who watch The Voice as much as I do, there is ALWAYS going to be a season where you have MULTIPLE individuals that you are pulling for. In my case…that was season six! Season six, in my personal opinion, held a complete treasure trove! I mean those of you who saw that season can’t sit there and say that you were completely TORN between the four teams. Every single one of us out there loved one or two people outside our “designated team.” For me; I was pulling for the following talents:

Needless to say…the start of season six started with an absolute BANG when Christina came in like a wrecking ball; which coincidentally was her audition song. Lasting all the way up to the finale with artists Jake Worthington and Josh Kauffman, Christina just mesmerized you every time she would set foot on that stage. After the season ended, she did go on to continue her career in music and created amazing songs. She also went on to create four music videos for a series called 'The Ballad of Jessica Blue.' From that series, "Snow White" is by far my favorite one. It’s very edgy and at the same time…has a sense of elegance. Just like her. Christina, we miss you dearly…and you are never far from our thoughts!

If there was anyone who I felt was sold short through NO fault of her own…it was Cali Tucker. I mean first off…HELLOOOOO….you had country royalty audition and get onto the show. Secondly…you DO NOT montage "What's Love Got To Do With It" by Tina Turner! Cali's battle with teammate Ryan Whyte Maloney to that classic was one I was hoping to get to see, ESPECIALLY since it was a battle using one of my all-time favorite Tina songs. Aside from being the niece of Tanya Tucker and daughter to LaCosta Tucker, Cali is most definitely a talent to remember! One thing’s for sure…I give her an immense amount of respect for wanting to make a name for herself on her own merit and not coasting on her family name. Her rendition of "Black Velvet" by Alannah Myles was spot on incredible. It has both grit and grace which in turn makes it her own.

After making her move to Las Vegas from Nashville, things wound up going from 0-60 for Cali regarding her music and bookings. At least that is what she mentioned to me once in a conversation (laughing slightly). Frankly, what I had mentioned to her is something that I believe in very much as a great thing for a performing artist…and that is I would rather hear that they are busy as hell than bored out of their minds…although don’t forget to take a moment once and a while to breathe and enjoy some quiet time; even for just ten minutes. All in all, I am very proud of all she has done and has been doing. She has amazing music videos out now that you can view on YouTube and her albums Cover Girl and Cali’s Christmas are just great to groove to. I can tell you this much...NOBODY can drag this chick down!

To find out more about what is going on with her and where she will be performing, check out her website.

Season six had a dosage of true soul when Biff Gore came on the stage and auditioned with "A Change’s Gonna Come" by Sam Cooke. Hailing from The Mile High City of Denver, Colorado, Biff brought enough passion and drive to the competition to knock us back in amazement. His performance with T.J. Wilkins for the song "Ain’t Too Proud to Beg" by The Temptations was very entertaining to watch; especially with the occasional dance move sprinkled in. However, NO ONE can deny that the most memorable performance of Biff Gores’ on The Voice was when he was on Team Blake and he had his battle with Ms. Sisaundra Lewis to James Brown's classic "It’s A Man’s Man’s Man’s World." ANYONE who saw that battle; which let's face it, was more of an AMAZING out of this world duet, can agree that goosebumps and tears due to being overwhelmed with amazement were very common side-effects. Was it sad to see Biff go? Absolutely! Despite the disappointment of The Voice losing its ambassador of soul. Biff travels all over the U.S. sharing his talent for music and love for The Lord. He not only is a singer, but a minister as well. My daughter and I went to see him perform this past January when he made a stop in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn at First Evangelical Free Church. Not only was his preaching captivating and down-to-earth, but his singing was just…well…heavenly (no pun intended). It is amazing to see that he is doing well and continuing his mission in spreading the word as the ambassador of soul!

Coming to us from Atlanta, Georgia was country artist James David Carter. Wowing the coaches with his audition song "Nobody Knows" by Kevin Sharp, James just kept elevating the bar for himself throughout his time on the show! Slaying songs such as "Wave on Wave" with Craig Wayne Boyd, "You’ve Got a Friend" by James Taylor and "Two of a Kind Workin' on a Full House" by his idol Garth Brooks, this Georgia boy was entertaining from start to finish. A perfect combination of an amazing vocal range (with control attached) and a personality as sweet as a homegrown peach, James David is a gem that will continue to shine till no end!

This firecracker of a gal really packed a punch for season seven of The Voice. Ms. Reagan James just kept impressing me every time she stepped out on that stage. Her audition song of "Give Me Love" by Ed Sheeran just captivated me right off the bat. Every performance after that was just as amazing till her elimination…where I indeed felt a sting of disappointment. However, being released from the show certainly did not stop Reagan from making incredible music! Her rendition of "Neon Light" by her former coach Blake Shelton was simply outstanding! The soft piano in the beginning, then transitioning to a funky electronic pop feel was the perfect blend with her voice. And in addition to the amazing musical arrangement, the vocal harmonies this song possesses will just melt your heart when you hear it! Reagan put out two albums in 2017 entitled Honey and Message. Both albums are just two more examples of why Reagan James is a gal not to be trifled with and overlooked.

If Janis Joplin's spirit was to come back in a huge way…she DEFINITELY came through the season eight powerhouse known as Sarah Potenza! Auditioning with the song "Stay With Me" by none other than Janis Joplin, you can understand why it would make perfect sense. The natural grit and growl that Sarah has in her voice just packs a huge punch, hello to the audience. In all the songs she has done during her stint on The Voice, she just kept reminding us about how powerful of a voice she has. Her battle with Hannah Kirby to The Rolling Stones’ song "Gimme Shelter" was just beyond anything I personally could ever imagine seeing. Listening to those two ladies battle it out to this gem felt like quite the religious experience. Both just brought out the very best in each other. Sarah continued to knock 'em dead with her performances. One of them being the treasured classic "Freebird" by Lynard Skynard; to which she rightfully rocked the stage in a leather-fringed coat.

Last but CERTAINLY not least in this list of mine, even though there are quite a few more I still have in my notes (lol) is none other than Manny Cabo from season nine! This man's performance of Whitesnake's "Here I Go Again" just reminded me of why I love my 80s rock and roll! During his audition, not only was his stage presence as electrifying as the lights on the stage; if not more…the way he executed the “HERE I GOOOOOO!” at the end of the song was just SPOT ON TIGHT! A man of many talents; writing, singing, and photography, Manny demonstrated outstanding showmanship, passion, and immense drive to just one up himself. His battle with Keith Semple to The Who’s "Baba O'Riley" was just perfect for them. It was hard to watch as well because while both did well, we all knew one would have to be eliminated. Despite not being on the show for long, Manny does not know the meaning of the words STOP or SLOW DOWN. They just don’t exist in the Mann-uel (Ha…see what I did there). Traveling all over the US doing gigs and now in Nashville, Manny is continuing to tear up stages left and right as well as taking AMAZING photos. I can guarantee you…we have YET to even see the brink of what Manny Cabo has in store for every one of us!

With this new season now in commence…I look forward very much to seeing who has come to wow us and win the coveted title of The Voice!

So strap yourselves in my darlings…we are in for one hell of a ride!

...so stay tuned for more...

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About the Creator

LadyBs BandShell

Want to know about Independent bands that you should add to your library? Then you have come to the right place. Lady B; web radio host/digital artist, has the scoop on bands not just within the U.S., but The U.K., Australia & more!

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