Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Justin Kilgore performs during the battle round on Season 14 of The Voice. (NBC Photo)

You might say a successful stint on Season 14 of The Voice has changed that.

In fact, Justin says he’s already been in the studio, working on post-show music.

Justin, who released two albums before the show under a stage name, turned all four chairs on The Voice with his blind audition cover of “Tomorrow” by Chris Young.

He and Molly Stevens then teamed up for a highly praised cover of Cam’s “Burning House” during the battle round. Justin was eliminated from the show in the knockout round when paired with fellow country singer Kaleb Lee.

Here’s what Justin told Voice Views about his time on the show and his future plans in music.

Voice Views: I know the knockouts were filmed in early February. What have you been doing musically since then?

Justin: I have been in the studio a lot working on some pretty phenomenal records with some amazing people, and setting up shows for the summer.

Voice Views: What had you been doing musically just prior to The Voice? I recall you talking about taking a break from music during your Voice intro package, but didn’t get a chance to follow up on that during the blind audition conference call.

Justin: I had taken a break from music prior to the voice for a few years. I just stopped believing in myself. Thankfully though, this experience has opened up some pretty large doors and I’m more on fire than I’ve ever been before.

Voice Views: Where do you see your time on the show leading you musically? What’s your musical game plan at this point? ​

Justin: My musical game plan is to break through the country music glass ceiling. Country fans tend to be a bit conservative, and it’s going to take incredibly powerful and moving music for an artist that happens to be gay to really cross over and reach that demographic.

I’m going to make music that everyone can relate to. Music that in undeniably top notch. The show was an incredible experience, however, I don’t think America fully got to see what I can really do and what I am capable of. Just bits and pieces. So the team and I are going to show them. It’s all about the music!

Voice Views: Do you think you’ll be releasing new music in the future and, if so, what can fans expect and do you have any sort of timetable?

Justin: I will be releasing new music in the future! NEAR future. I am currently working on that now. I’d say that the kind of records that we are making take time. We want to make the best possible product with the best in the industry. So just stay tuned!

Voice Views: Do you think you grew as an artist as a result of The Voice experience? If so, in what way?

Justin: I definitely grew as an artist as a result of The Voice experience. I would say just believing in myself and really learning to push myself vocally. I know with “Shameless” (in the knockout round) I looked nervous and uncomfortable, and I was. But there were a lot of personal things going on behind the scenes that definitely played a part in that moment.

Through the show, I really learned that it is OK to be yourself. I just hope, at the very least, that my story inspires people to chase their dreams, tell their stories, and be themselves. Before I went in for the blinds, that was the only thing I was concerned with. Chair turn, or no chair turn.

Editor’s Note: Justin, from Buffalo, Texas, was 30 when he auditioned for the show. For more on Justin’s career pre-Voice, head here. His social media links follow.

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Twitter: @justinTXkilgore
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