Idol Chatter & Voice Views

His audition: L.B. Crew, 29, of Little Rock, Ark., performed “Waves” by Mr. Probz. An opening that showed off L.B.’s range prompted quick chair turns from Kelly Clarkson and Blake Shelton. John Legend and Adam Levine eventually turned as well, giving L.B. the fifth four-chair turn of Season 16. L.B. decided to join Team Adam Levine after Adam promised to help him improve his falsetto.

More about L.B. …

* L.B. told The Voice his first introduction to music was growing up in Baptist Church. “From that moment on, I knew I wanted to sing,” he said.

* He’s a 2007 graduate of El Dorado High School in Arkansas and went on to study music education and business management at Southern Arkansas University.

* One of his inspirations is his younger brother. L.B. says they perform together and called his brother “one of the best piano players I know.” But he’s battled health problems recently and was unable to attend L.B.’s audition.

* L.B. might be familiar to some singing show fans. As LeBryant Crew, he auditioned for American Idol in 2013 and wound up making it all the way to the Top 30.

* Said L.B. of Idol: “That was a great experience. It definitely broadened my palette for music, genres, styles, artists. So it helped in future song selection. It gave me the chance to get used to cameras and interviews and things of that nature. And it helped me realize who I was as an artist.”

* Following his stint on American Idol, L.B. played a role in a 2015 independent film called “Captain,” based on the life of Alabama pioneer Captain Hugh Bradley. Bradley County, Ark., is named in his honor.

* L.B. also joined the Little Rock-based band SYNRG. “They recruited me after winning a talent show to perform at the state fair,” L.B. told Voice Views. “A great group of musicians who kinda needed a front man. I was def the man for the job and am grateful to them for seeing something in me. How I’ve grown since being a part of the band.”

* L.B. said he’d tried The Voice previously, attending an open call in New Orleans shortly after his Idol run. He didn’t make the cut, which he admits made his apprehensive about trying again. Until he got a nudge from friend Barrett Baber, a Voice finalist on Season 9.

* L.B. told Voice Views he’s written lots of music, but hasn’t released any of it. Yet. “I would say my music is a great mashup of soul, R&B, gospel, and even pop. Very intentional in making sure that my songs have great themes, memorable melodies that stick to your soul and that represent me,” he said.

* As for opting to join Team Adam, L.B. said it was partly because of the coaching Adam started to do during the blind audition feedback. But there was another factor as well. “I also liked the shock factor,” he said. “People expected John Legend as a first choice, and rightly so. Similar styles, voices, and artistry, but no one expected Adam as a coach. Not only was I interested in singing songs outside my norm, I also wanted to be a standout on a team and not just another soulful singer among great soulful singers.”

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