Idol Chatter & Voice Views

EllieMae listens to the coaches’ feedback following her blind audtion on The Voice Season 17. (NBC Photo)

Though the 21-year-old from Idaho has already released four singles, EllieMae says she didn’t start performing live shows as a solo artist until about two years ago.

She has performed in a couple of music festivals in her hometown. And she had the honor of performing the national anthem at the inaugural ball for the new governor of Idaho.

But millions tune in for The Voice blind auditions.

And last week, those millions saw EllieMae cover “Merry Go Round” by Kacey Musgraves and earn a spot on Team Blake.

Here’s what EllieMae — her last name is Millenkamp — 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?

EllieMae: I always thought The Voice would be a great platform to keep continuing to pursue my music and to help get my name out there a little more. Last year, I was playing a lot of gigs around my town and playing at church and a producer from the show actually asked me to come out and audition with them. I felt like it would be a great stepping-stone and opportunity. Friends and family have always really pushed me to pursue trying out for a show like this.

Voice Views: Why did you choose “”Merry Go Round”” for your audition song?

EllieMae: I have always been a really big fan of Kacey Musgraves. I love her songwriting and the style of music that she plays. The song “Merry Go Round” was a song that really helps explain the type of artist that I am, genre and style wise. I have always covered the song at shows, and I love the lyrics behind this song. I’m really happy I got to sing that for my blind auditions.

Voice Views: Did you have a coaching preference heading into the audition? And how do you feel about landing on Team Blake?

EllieMae: I didn’t necessarily have a set-in-stone coaching preference heading into the audition. I’ve always been a big fan of Blake Shelton and he was going to be my number one pick. Honestly, I would’ve been so happy and grateful to work with any of the coaches, but I am really glad that I ended up on Team Blake! Blake is so nice and down to earth!

Voice Views: It took a while to get the chair turn, but you were all smiles when Blake did so. What was that blind audition experience like?

EllieMae: It really made me emotional when Blake turn his chair around. I’ve always wanted to pursue music and make a living off of it, but this industry can be hard and there’s a lot of competition. Having the coaches not know anything about you and not know what you look like but to strictly judge you off your talent and your voice is nerve-racking but also so encouraging. It gave me more confidence.

The blind audition experience was like nothing that I’ve ever done before. It was so nerve-racking, but seriously so amazing and it is something that I will never forget. It really is life-changing. All of the people I met were incredible and I met some crazy talented people that I now get to call my friends.

See also …
Learn more about EllieMae and her music