Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Keith Paluso performs during the knockout round on The Voice. (NBC Photo)

Through two nights of the knockouts on Season 15 of The Voice, only one singer has faced the difficult choice: be saved or be stolen.

That singer was Keith Paluso and it happened after he performed “You Are the Best Thing” by Ray LaMontagne in a knockout round match with Tyke James.

Adam Levine declared Tyke the winner, then tried to save Keith for his team. But Kelly Clarkson also hit her steal button for the former Tennessee State Parks ranger.

Keith opted to join Team Kelly and explained that decision to Voice Views.

“I truly enjoyed being coached by Adam,” he said. “I felt that our personalities worked well together and that he is a genuinely engaged person that wants to grow his team members not just as contestants on The Voice, but as artists in general.

“However, I have been a huge Kelly Clarkson fan since she first began her career, and that has been amplified by witnessing her interactions with people.

“I saw Kelly give each of her team members hand-written cards before battle rounds to let each person know that she genuinely loved them and respected them despite the fact that some would be leaving the following day.

“That impressed me so thoroughly that I knew I wanted to work with her no matter what song I did. When I said (on the show) that I believed her enthusiasm is contagious it is because I know that it isn’t just an act for ratings. She believes in people and truly wants them to succeed.”

Keith, 30 when he auditioned and from Memphis, Tenn., also answered the following quesitons about his knockout round experience.

Voice Views: We heard a bit about your song choice on the show, but can you elaborate on why you picked that song and how you thought it worked out for you?

Keith: I grew up moving through many musical genres with my brother and our friends, but I eventually was so captivated by the blend of soul, roots, and Americana from people like Martin Sexton, Marc Broussard, John Prine, and Ray Lamontagne that I shifted my creative goals there and have been there ever since.

Of the options I had for the songs I could perform for the knockout round, I thought that “You Are the Best Thing” would let me showcase some of the music I enjoy playing and writing outside of The Voice while also allowing me to show respect and gratitude for my wife, Bethany. She has been so supportive from the beginning of this journey and she deserves more than I can provide for her.

Voice Views: The latest team switch means you will have been with three different Voice teams heading into the live playoffs. Do you see that as an advantage or disadvantage and why? (Editor’s Note: Keith joined Team Blake Shelton in the blind auditions, then was stolen by Adam following his battle round match with Dave Fenley.)

Keith: I’ve been told by some of my best friends and musicians that I respect (including Chris Kroeze, Dave Fenley, and my brother Keegan) that I am not the same musician I was when I first left for Los Angeles. The opportunities to learn and improve myself while I’ve been on The Voice have not only improved my musicianship, but also changed how I view myself.

I used to view music as my guilty pleasure when I should be working, but now I’m beginning to believe in myself as an artist. I’ve had the opportunity to work with three teams and five of the most successful people in the music industry, and the main advice they’ve all given me is this: Don’t think about trying, just let go. I’m a changed man, not just for the live playoffs, but for the rest of my career.

Voice Views. I know you can’t reveal song choices, but is there a facet of your musicianship you’d like to put front and center as you continue on the show?

Keith: A bit of feedback that Kelly Clarkson gave me after my knockout performance that wasn’t shown on the episode involved her saying the she thought a Ray Lamontagne song fit too snugly in my lane and that I should stretch myself out a bit more. From the blind auditions through the knockout round, I’ve tried to show versatility, creativity, and that you don’t have to necessarily fit easily into a boxed-in genre (like being distinctly country or R&B) to make good music. Going into the live playoffs, I’m looking forward to reaching farther outside of my comfort zone to see how far Kelly can push me.

Voice Views: Anything else you’d like to add about the knockout experience?

Keith: I’m sure tension has run high with some of the pairings, but I’m just so grateful to have been paired with such good people for both the battles and knockouts. Tyke and his family are wonderful people that I would consider part of my own family. We had a great time through the entire process and I’ve always had the feeling that I was more celebrating making good music with the other contestants rather than competing with them.

I’d also like to thank the entire staff behind the scenes on The Voice. Those people work unbelievable hours and always have smiles on their faces and I find that so inspiring.

Editor’s Note: We’ll next see Keith in the live playoffs on Mondday, Nov. 12. Keep checking back for more from contestants who performed during hte knockout round.