Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Her audition: Destinee Quinn, 20, of Surprise, Ariz., auditioned with the Dixie Chicks’ “Cowboy Take Me Away.” The country judge failed to turn for the country singer, but Christina Aguilera turned around early into the performance, later joined by Cee Lo Green.

Destinee Quinn of Team Christina on The Voice. (NBC Photo)

Background: Destinee says she didn’t really get into music until age 13. The boost that convinced her to pursue music more seriously came about three years later, when she won a vocal competition hosted by Alice Cooper. Destinee now makes her living singing, “playing anywhere and everywhere, including a biker bar … Sometimes they’re not interested in what I’m singing and I have to really dig through my songbook in my head and pull out all these different genres.”

On picking Christina: Destinee told the Arizona Republic she had her heart set on Blake Shelton, but had a pre-audition gut feeling that he might not turn around. “I picked Christina because she’s such a powerhouse vocalist and has so much control and can teach me so much about my voice and help me reach my full potential.”

What the show didn’t show: Though she performs other genres, during a conference call interview the day after her audition aired, Destinee said “I really believe country is where I’m supposed to be.” She admits she was “very insecure” as a performer back when she entered that Alice Cooper competition at age 15. “I didn’t think I was good. I didn’t think I had any chance.” Besides helping his Solid Rock Foundation, which provides music and dance lessons to needy children, one benefit of winning was getting to perform with him in front of a crowd of 5,000, Destinee said, adding that “it was just so inspiring.” Oh, and as a pre-performance ritual, Destinee likes to “down a bunch of honey, like straight out of the bottle.” And that biker bar: The Hideaway Grill in Cave Creek, Ariz., where pre-Voice Destinee played every Sunday.

Quote: “I feel more ready than ever for this competition because on a weekly basis (singing in a biker bar), I’m having to get people to turn around and impress them.”

On iTunes: Just her Voice performance.

Keeping up with Destinee: On Twitter — @Destinee Quinn — Facebook — YouTube — Website (under construction)

Destinee Quinn, “Heaven Heartache and the Power Of Love”

Destinee Quinn, “Granny’s Garden” original song