Idol Chatter & Voice Views

His audition: Kirk Jay, 22, of Bay Minette, Ala., performed Rascal Flatts’ “Bless the Broken Road.” Blake Shelton turned midway through the performance, followed by Adam Levine. By the end of the song, Kelly Clarkson and Jennifer Hudson turned as well, making Kirk just the fourth four-chair turn recipient of Season 15. Adam actually lobbied for Kirk to join Team Blake. And that’s just what the singer decided to do.

His background: He grew up in a two-bedroom trailer where he slept on a couch. He says there were lots of days where there wasn’t enough food or no electricity. He now sings in a country band and says that’s the music on which he was raised. While Kirk says he’s not the type to put on a cowboy hat and boots, but loves the sound. Asked by the coaches about the type of record he’d like to make, Kirk replied: “Country ‘til the day I die.”

On choosing Team Blake: “Blake’s a country guy. I mean he loves country music; I love country music. He definitely can help me as far as pursuing my country career, and that’s what I need. I need somebody that can guide me and help me.”

What the show didn’t show:

* According to his bio on The Voice website, Kirk got his start in music in church, playing drums and singing in the choir at age 5.

* That said, Kirk admits he didn’t recognize his vocal talent until 10th or 11th grade when people kept coming up to him and complimenting his singing. They suggested he try out for a talent show. He did and won.

* After that, “it all become positive energy for me and become something I fell in love with,” Kirk adds.

* He said his audition song was one of the first country songs he ever heard. Even today, he calls Gary LeVox, lead singer for Rascal Flatts, one of his biggest influences.

* About two years ago, he became frontman for Kirk Jay and Kuntry Funk. The band has been playing “all over the place,” he said, and got to open for country standout Luke Combs at show in Montgomery, Ala.

* Kirk said the band has original music, but does mostly covers at its show. The band has not released music at this point.

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Twitter: @kirkJay7
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