Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Cali Wilson performs during the blind auditions for The Voice Season 17. (NBC Photo)

Which seemed a bit baffling since he’s coaches seven singers to victory on The Voice and advanced three artists to the four-singer Season 16 finale.

But Cali Wilson didn’t hesitate to go Team Blake.

The 28-year-old from Salem, Iowa, had three coaches to choose from following her impression rendition of Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams.”

Here’s what Cali, who now lives in Nashville, told Voice Views about her blind audition experience.

Voice Views: How did you wind up auditioning for The Voice Season 17 and what prompted you to do it?

Cali: I was encouraged by my girlfriend, Gracie after I was invited to an audition here in Nashville. I had a wonderful experience auditioning for season 12 of the show, even though I didn’t make it to blinds.

Voice Views: Why did you choose “Dreams” for your audition song? It’s obviously a song you’re familiar with. There’s a great cover of it on your YouTube channel. But there are lots of other covers there too, so why did you go with that song?

Cali: First of all, Stevie Nicks is my musical hero. I always like to put my own spin on the covers I do. With this, it was super important to keep the classic emotion of the song but make it my own. If you know Fleetwood Mac or Stevie Nicks, you definitely want someone to do the song justice. I am a huge fan and I admit I was intimidated. But 2019 for me has been about challenging myself. I felt confident that my version of Dreams would show the coaches and viewers I am an artist who deserves this chance.

Voice Views: Why did you decide to join Team Blake? Did you have a preference heading into the blind audition?

Cali:I went into the blinds thinking, if I could just turn one chair, I’m in this. I am a huge fan of Gwen Stefani and No Doubt has always been one of my favorite bands. John Legend is incredible and I honestly didn’t even think he would turn for me! But Blake was just someone I had a gut feeling about.

Blake is so smart with his choices and really gives his artists what they need to amplify their talents. He was the person I preferred but honestly, looking at those three chairs turned, I didn’t know who I was going to pick for a while on stage. It was difficult!

Voice Views: Your bio package didn’t say much about what you’d been doing musically just before The Voice. Do you perform regularly around Nashville? Have plans to release more original music to follow up on your 2016 EP? And, if so, would the sound be similar to that release?

Cali:The last couple of years, I have been songwriting and working on my craft. I took some time off from performing because I felt like I needed that space to create new songs. It definitely paid off. I’m so excited about the music I’ve been making.

The sound of the new stuff is more grown-up and organic than my 2016 EP, Love and War. I still love that record and it will always be something I’m proud of. Artists have such a unique way of evolving through their music. I’ve felt that and my sound now represents who I am.

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Learn more about Cali Wilson