His audition: Jonathan Hutcherson, 16, of Wilmore, Ken., auditioned with One Direction’s “You and I.” He delivered a sensitive performance, prompting a chair turn from Pharrell Williams, who had just one spot remaining on his team. Adam Levine, whose team was full, complimented Jonathan for the way he connected to the song.
His background: Jonathan says he’s growing up with three younger brothers in a “great environment” on a five-acre Kentucky farm as part of what he calls “a close-knit family.” Jonathan was also born with a 50 percent hearing loss in both ears. His mom says: “We didn’t know if he would be able to sing. I was just hoping he could talk. We’re very blessed that his speech developed really well.” Hearing aids help, Jonathan says. As for music, he told The Voice he’s been performing in school and at churches.
What the show didn’t show:
Jonathan says he has loved performing since a young age. His passion for music was fueled by his first talent show, in second grade. “My mom literally made me do it — and she is not that type of mom,” he says. “She thought I had potential, and she didn’t want my fear to get in the way of that. So once I sang, I realized how fun it was, and I wanted to keep going and try more things. Never would I have ever thought I would be where I am now.”
His Facebook bio says Jonathan has been playing piano for six years and taught himself how to play guitar.
In addition to fairs, he’s performed in. the Kentucky Opry Talent Search. He was the People’s Choice winner in the Beginner Division in 2012, winner of the Junior Division in 2013 and runner-up in the Junior Division in 2013. “I loved singing there,” Jonathan says. “I never won the whole thing, but it definitely trained me to be a better singer and performer every time I participated.”
His list of major musical influences include John Mayer, Michael Buble, Ed Sheeran, Keith Urban, Rascall Flatts, Dolly Parton, Steven Curtis Chapman, Randy Travis, JohnnySwim, Frank Sinatra, Alan Jackson and Sam Smith.
Jonathan says he considers himself a singer-songwriter, though he also enjoys singing pop, country, blues and Christian music.
As for the Voice? “I had always loved the show, and I always wished that I could be on it one day,” he says. “So my parents and I waited until I turned 15, and then I tried out for Season 9. I didn’t make it past the open call.” But that story, of course, has a happy ending, because he was invited back to a private audition for Season 10, then eventually wound up at that blind audition singing “You and I” and landing a spot on Team Pharrell.
On iTunes: Just his performance from The Voice.
Keeping up with Jonathan:
Twitter: @jonchutch
Facebook
YouTube
“Thinking Out Loud” (Ed Sheeran cover)
“Suspicious Minds” (Elvis Presley cover)
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