Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Kat Hammock, 18, of Encinitas, Calif., performs during her blind audition on The Voice Season 17. (NBC Photo)

Thanks to her lovely, lilting vocals, it worked out just fine.

Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton turned for Kat’s performance of Billy Joel’s “Vienna.”

And after hearing the pitches from the two superstar coaches, the teen from Encinitas, Calif., opted to join Team Blake.

Kat’s already released a couple of singles. Here’s what she 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?

Kat: The Voice reached out to me about a possible opportunity to audition for the show. I remember reading the email and laughing, thinking there was no way I could EVER make it onto “The Voice!” A few auditions later, I got to sing for the coaches, and the rest is history. I was prompted to audition because I realized there would be no harm in giving it a shot. The worst thing that could happen is I wouldn’t get a callback or (eventually) a chair turn. Seriously, I STILL can’t believe I actually made it onto the show!

Voice Views: Why did you choose “Vienna” for your audition song?

Kat: “Vienna” is my favorite song of all time! Billy Joel is one of my biggest influences, and I’ve always been drawn to his lyrics, his piano playing, and his unique sound. “Vienna” is a sweet, beautifully written song, and I’m still overjoyed that I got to sing a Billy Joel classic for my audition!

Voice Views: Why did you decide to join Team Blake? He seemed thoroughly convinced you’d choose another coach.

Kat: This decision was so tough! I went into my audition wanting Gwen or Blake and when they both turned for me, I didn’t know what to do! I knew I couldn’t go wrong with either of them, but I just went with my gut, which told me to choose Blake.

Voice Views: What’s the biggest musical performance you’d done prior to The Voice and what was that blind audition experience like?”

Kat: A few years in a row, my choir was invited to sing for a cappella legend, Deke Sharon, at his annual concert at Carnegie Hall. I was given the opportunity to sing a couple of lines as a soloist a few times, and it was so incredible! Carnegie Hall is pretty big -— it seats about 2,700 people -— but it still pales in comparison to the number of people who tune into The Voice! As for my blind audition, I can’t tell you much — I completely blacked out! It was so cool to watch it on TV because I honestly didn’t remember much from when it was filmed! So surreal!

See also …
Meet Kat Hammock