Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Her audition: Cary Laine, 28, of Citronelle, Ala., turned in a spirited version of The Band Perry’s “Better Dig Two.” Adam Levine turned around early in the performance. Blake Shelton and Shakira soon joined him. Usher spun his chair late in the audition, giving Cary one of those coveted four-chair turnarounds. Intense lobbying followed, during which Adam approached the stage and welcomed Cary a seat in his chair. Everyone, even her son, watching backstage, thought this county girl would select Blake. But she chose to join Team Adam.

Her background: This Alabama girl got married at 18 and has a son. She says it’s “a balancing act, being a mom by day and a rock star at night.” Not that rock is her preferred genre; that would be country music, as you might guess from her audition song. She’s now living in Pinedale, Wyoming, a town of 1,100 where her husband works in the oil and gas industry. In Wyoming, she describes her gigs as “few and far between.” That’s one reason auditioning for The Voice meant so much to her.

On picking Adam: “First of all, Adam got out of his chair and Blake didn’t. Adam really talked about what he wanted to do with me and Blake talked more about what he’s done with other people. And in the moment, it just felt better and it felt right to go with the person who really wanted to talk about me and my career and what I wanted to do with my music.”

What the show didn’t show: Speaking of her music, Cary released a pair of songs back in 2011 — “Hometown USA” and “Best of Me,” the latter clearly about her relationship with her son. Head over to her website, and you can hear three more of her originals. Lest anyone think differently from her pre-audition interview, Cary says she loves Wyoming. “It’s beautiful and these people have embraced me and have been so good and kind to me.” But, realistically, it isn’t what she would call a “music Mecca.” On Facebook, she describes her music as “country with a splash of rock and soul.” And on Twitter, she describes herself as Dolly Parton’s No. 1 fan. Oh, and yes, Usher, boots are her favorite footwear.

Quote: “I think I was as shocked as everybody else when the words, ‘I pick Adam,’ came out of my mouth. I couldn’t believe I said it, but in the moment, I went with my gut and that’s what my gut told me.” By the way, as she was interviewed, she said Blake’s CD “is in my truck right now.”

On iTunes: Her audition song and those aforementioned singles.

Update: She lost to Sam Behymer in the battle round; they sang Ed Sheeran’s “Give Me Love.”

Keeping up with Cary:
Twitter: @CaryLaine
Facebook
YouTube
Website

Editor’s Note: For links to profiles of all the Season 6 artists on The Voice, go here.

“Like I Say It” (an original)

“Best of Me” (an original, available on iTunes)

“Paris (Ooh La La)”