Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Pharrell Williams coached Sawyer Fredericks to victory on The Voice in Season 8, marking only the second time a singer not on Team Adam or Team Blake wound up in the winner’s circle. (NBC Photo)

The show earned its second Emmy in three years, and it’s been nominated all three of those years. Congrats to everyone involved.

Meanwhile, chairs start turning tonight as hopefuls try to nail down spots on Season 9 of TV’s most-watched singing show.

For a look at why you shouldn’t put a ton of stock in how many chairs turn for each artist, head here.

My favorite thing about each new season of The Voice is that the talent on this show is pretty incredible when compared to other shows of its kind.

And every season, I’m introduced to several artists whose music I love and whose music I might never have discovered if they hadn’t appeared on the show.

As has become tradition, the show starts with a performance by the coaches. Except this time, they’re performing one another’s songs as Gwen takes on Blake, Blake takes on Gwen, Adam takes on Pharrell and Pharrell takes on Adam.

Mark Hood, 24, Chicago: He says he’s got a lot of energy and is “crazy and goofy.” He started singing in church. He tells the story about how his mom caught him listening to an Usher CD and destroyed it. At age 14, his mother sent him to an ag school. “I don’t even like animals,” Mark said. This guy is a hoot, saying he played a dead guy on TV, yet had to audition for the role. He’ll sing Bill Withers’ “Use Me.” He’s just a little way into the performance when Pharrell and Adam spin their chairs. This guy is loaded with charisma. Gwen turns. And Blake joins her, giving Mark the first four-chair turn of Season 9. Adam loves his energy. “You high-fived the stage.” Gwen says he believable. Pharrell likes his runs and his jazz stylings. Mark says he wants to perform R&B/pop music — “like John Legend meets Pharrell.” And Mark joins Team Pharrell.

Kota Wade, 23, Hollywood: This young lady is fascinating. She started her own music club at age 19. She posts popular makeup and wardrobe videos to YouTube. And fronts a bad called Bad Wolf. She says she really appreciates the support her parents have shown for her various endeavors. She’s going to sing “Bring it on Home to Me” by Sam Cooke. Interesting song choice. Pharrell and Gwen turned around in a heartbeat. Here’s another contestant obviously very, very comfortable on a stage. And she delivers a really nice ending on that song. She winds up with Blake facing in her direction as well. Kota says she’s in a rock band, but “decided to go a little more soul today.” Pharrell likes her individuality. Blake calls her “a modern day Cyndi Lauper.” Kota says she’s idolized Gwen since she was 5 years old. And she joins Team Gwen.

Check back later this week. I’ll be posting bio blogs on each of the singers who land a spot on Season 9.

Keith Semple: A native of Ireland, Keith began performing there. He moved to the U.S. when he was invited to sing with a band called 7th Heaven that enjoyed success in the Chicago area. During that time, he also auditioned for American Idol, but had to turn back his golden ticket because he wasn’t a U.S. citizen. He’ll audition with “I’ll be There for You” by Bon Jovi. He’s about halfway through the performance when Adam turns around. A big glory note at the end of the performance entices Gwen to turn as well. Voice fans have embraced male rockers in the past; I can see them doing that with Keith. Adam compliments him on a powerful voice. Gwen likes the dynamics in his voice and his range. Keith joins Team Adam.

Alyssa Sheridan, 17, San Diego: She’s been accepted into college, but says that’s on hold while she pursues music. She’s dedicating her performance to her stepdad. She says he’s always been her father figure. But he served in the military and wound up being killed disarming a bomb in Afghanistan. She says music helped get her through that loss. She has performed recitals, but not “gigs,” so she’s hoping The Voice marks the beginning of her music career. She’s singing “I Remember You” by Sarah McLachlen. She has a sweet voice, but also sounds very nervous. And Alyssa can’t entice a coach to turn.

Siahna Im, 15, Auburn, Wash.: Siahna calls her dad “one crazy man” and says she follows in his footsteps. She says she decided she wanted to pursue music when she heard Ray Charles in third grade. But she considers herself “an old soul” who loves to sing soul music. She’s going to tackle “Fever.” And Gwen turns around four words into the performance. Wow, Siahna sure sounds different when she’s singer. As in a very good different. Blake and Pharrell join her midway through the performance. Very solid performance from this teenager, with a couple of really neat wrinkles at the end. Pharrell calls her “super special.” Then he walks up and gives Siahna a hug. He also calls her “fresh and new and different.” Blake says he’ll do everything he can to make Siahna the star she deserves to be. Siahna joins Team Pharrell.

Jordan Smith, Kentucky: Next, we’re not introduced to a singer, but he’s a guy and he’s singing Chandelier by Sia. And by the middle of the performance he has everyone but Adam facing in his direction. Then Adam turns around as well. Hey, this guy has a really excellent voice. And Gwen rushes the stage and hugs him when his audition ends saying, “you’re so amazing.” Gwen says he doesn’t look like his voice. Pharrell praises his individuality. Adam calls the song tough to sing and compliments Jordan for getting stronger as each person turns around. He says he comes from a small town and hasn’t always “been the coolest,” but says he got interested in music in church. Blake calls his singing voice “unbelievable.” Adam calls him “the most important person that’s ever been on the show.” Jordan joins Team Adam.

Dr. Paul, 66: He lives in the Appalachian Mountains and started playing music in the 1960s. He’s the father of five, grandfather of six, stepped away from music for a while, but returned to it after retirement. He worked up to the point where he’s performing more than 100 shows a year. He’s singing “Mama Tried.” He’s got a really nice, soothing voice, but the coaches aren’t rushing to turn around. And they don’t despite a strong ending from Dr. Paul. He still advises everyone to “go for their dream.”

Nadjah Nicole, 23, New Castle, Del.: Her dad was in the military and Nadjah says she got to sing at political events. Eventually, she wound up performing at the Apollo Theatre where she won a competition when she was 16. But getting pregnant sidelined her pursuit of music. Her daughter is now 2 years old. Nadjah works as a personal banker and gigs on the side when she has a chance. She’ll sing “Tightrope” by Janelle Monae. Like her look. And she’s doing a good job with these rapid-fire lyrics. Dang, very nice range, too. Adam turns midway through her performance. A big final note gets Blake to turn as well. Adam says he was “blown away” by her performance. Blake says Nadjah couldn’t be “any cuter,” and compliments her on doing a great job on a difficult song. He says she sounds and looks like a star. Nadjah, surprisingly, joins Team Blake.

Braiden Sunshine, 15, Lyme, Ct.: Yes, Sunshine is his real name, not a stage name. He says he’s been doing music since he can remember. At age 9, he joined a church band called Silver Hammer. “We’ve done everything from weddings to restaurants to concert venues,” Braiden says. Unfortunately for him, the other band members are off to college so they don’t play together much anymore. Braiden says he was partly inspired to audition by Sawyer Fredericks’ success in Season 8. He’s singing The Mountain by Jane’s Addiction. And the audition started off a little shaky, but got stronger as Braiden kept going. At the very last second, Gwen and Pharrell turned their chairs. Gwen can’t get over his name. Pharrell likes his “old soul.” Braiden joins Team Gwen.

Michael Woolery, Santa Monica: His father was a TV show host. His great-grandparents were Ozzie and Harriet. Michael wasn’t initially interested in show business, pursuing sports instead. In fact, he had his sight set on an Olympic berth as a skier. But an injury ended those hopes. He now works in a jewelry store and plays music on the side. He’ll perform “Say.” Unfortunately, the performance seems a bit off key. And none of the coaches turn. Adam says his performance seemed “unsure” and Gwen says he seemed to be over singing near the end. But they agree he has a great voice.

Barrett Baber, 35, Fayetteville, Ark: He says his family was always involved in missionary work and moved to South Africa when he was a child. He started to sing in a choir when he was in high school, went to college and joined a vocal group that had a chance to perform overseas. On the trip home, there was a plane crash in which some members of the group were killed. He’s also a drama and speech teacher, but is looking for a breakthrough in music. He’ll sing “Angel Eyes.” He’s not even to the first chorus and he has all four coaches facing in his direction. Blake and Adam were the first to turn. Barrett ends the performance with a flourish, showing off great range in the process. He says he wants to perform country music with soul. Adam calls him one of his favorites among this year’s auditioners. Gwen compliments him on his personality and stage presence as well as his voice. Says Blake: “It’s like watching Garth up there.” And Barrett joins Team Blake.