Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Blind audition: Karlee Metzger, 22, of Springfield, Mississippi, auditioned with Regina Spektor’s “Samson,” displaying a really pretty voice and the ability to belt when necessary. But no one turned until the last second when Blake Shelton and Miley Cyrus turned simultaneously. Miley vowed to bring Karlee out of her shyness. Karlee opted to join Team Miley.

Her background: Her family moved around a lot while she was growing up because of her father’s job, and that meant she was frequently changing schools. She says she was teased about her weight in middle and high school “and it made me really insecure. Music was always kind of my escape.” In high school, she says she sang at every sporting event and talent show. She then enrolled at Northern Michigan University where she majors in business. But she says music has always been her first love, though there aren’t many opportunities in Michigan. She began posting YouTube videos, discovering her potential and deciding she’d like to make a living through music.

What the show didn’t show:
* While her family moved a lot, she spent most of her youth living in Upper Michigan, where she listened to Christian music, country and jazz on the radio at her grandparents’ farm, according to a hometown story on EscanabaNow.
* On Facebook, she now describes herself as a “down-to-earth, small-town, indie/folk artist working hard towards my dreams.”
* Her bio on The Voice website says she’s performed in public just once outside a school setting, at a local bar. During a conference call with the media, Karlee says she has performed at a couple of weddings, but that the only public place she’s performed is a bar called The Rover.
* What led someone with so little performing experience to audition for The Voice? “I’ve admired The Voice since Season 1. I think that what The Voice does with their contestants is amazing. I’ve never had many music opportunities before this. And so this is kind of my only option. And it’s been a great one so far.”
* She says “Samson” has been one of her favorite songs for years and she can remember performing it as a freshman in high school. “It’s like a lullaby almost. It’s very warm. It’s a story-telling song. It pulls people in and I’ve always admired Regina Spektor. So I felt like that was the perfect fit for my voice and what my voice can do.”
* “Samson” also worked. Not only did it land her a spot on The Voice, it was the most successful blind audition song from night three of the blinds, cracking the iTunes overall singles chart and hitting number one on the iTunes’ alternative chart.
* Her message to fans after her blind audition aired: “I hope my story inspires those waiting on or doubting their dreams. It may sometimes feel impossible to reach, but if you keep learning and trying, it will happen. It’s taken me a long time to get to this point. Perseverance will get you there. Love yourself no matter what people say, and know that you are WORTHY of having your dreams come true.”

Keeping up with Karlee:
Twitter: @MetzgerKarlee
Facebook
YouTube