Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Jake Hoot and Kelly Clarkson during a post-show press conference Tuesday night. (NBC Photo)

Viewers of The Voice likely figured out very early that Jake Hoot had a very good chance of doing well on the show.

Jake Hoot didn’t share their confidence, he admitted after being named The Voice Season 17 champ Tuesday night.

“For a little bit, I didn’t think it was real,” Jake said of his Voice experience. “And every step of the way, I said (to his girlfriend), ‘Alright honey, I’ll be home next week. Or I’ll be home after battles. Or I’ll be home after knockouts.

“I continued to doubt myself every step of the way.”

That’s why the confidence coach Kelly Clarkson showed in him was so important, Jake said.

Kelly wanted little credit for the win, saying “I just sat there and encouraged him.” Jake, for instance, was responsible for choosing “Wintersong” as their holiday duet Monday night. And for several of his other song choices.

Jake spoke of a different reality.

“She does a whole lot more than just sit there,” said the 31-year-old from Cookeville, Tenn. “She’s helped me get out of my shell on stage. She’s the biggest cheerleader. That means more than she knows.”

The two were also able to bond over the fact that they’re both parents. Jake is single dad to a 4-year-old daughter. His girlfriend has a daughter about the same age.

Reporters didn’t ask about Jake’s post-show plans during Tuesday’s post-show press conference.

But he answered several questions along those lines during on online Q&A on Thursday.

Jake said he’s hoping to do some thank you shows once he returns home. As for releasing music … he’d like too, very soon.

The single he performed Monday night — “Better Off Without You” — is actually a song he released as a debut single back in May. And it was supposed to appear on a debut EP, funded with the help of a successful Kickstarter campaign.

The EP is recorded and ready, Jake said. He had hoped to release it before the show. But that didn’t happen.

Now?

Those decisions will be made in early 2020, he said, after he enjoys some time with his family over the holidays.

But he told fans to expect new Jake Hoot music in early 2020 or by summer at latest.

Jake’s chart performances

Top 13: “Danny’s Song” — #26 on Top 200, #7 on country chart
Top 11: “Every Light in the House” — #29 on Top 200; #4 on country chart
Top 10: “That Ain’t My Truck” — #4 on Top 200; #1 on country chart
Top 8: “Desperado” — #1 on Top 200; #1 on country chart
Top 4: “Wintersong” (with Kelly Clarkson) — #3 on Top 200; #2 on country chart
Top 4: “Better Off Without You” — #5 on Top 200; #3 on country chart
Top 4: “Amazed” — #6 on Top 200; #4 on country chart