Idol Chatter & Voice Views

His audition: Levi Watkins, 14, of Birminghan, Ala., performed “Hey, Soul Sister” by Train. Singing and playing ukulele, he was about halfway through the performance when Blake Shelton turned his chair The coaches are all shocked to find out Levi is a 14-year-old male; Kelly Clarkson said she thought she was listening to a woman in her 20s and was more thrown than she’s been at any time in five season of blind auditions. Blake said the performance was outstanding, regardless of age. John Legend complimented Levi for making the song his own.

Here’s more about Levi.

* He grew up in a musical family and says his dad and mom have always sang. His mother traveled with her family and sang when she was young. His father used to lead the music at my church. “My three brother also sing and play many instruments, so there is always music around our house,” Levi said.

* Levi has started writing music and says he actually prefers to sing his originals.

* Among his musical influences, he lists Ed Sheeran, Chris Stapleton and John Mayer. “I also love the band Kaleo,” he adds. “Their lead singer is dope.”

* He’s a freshman in high school and home schooled. In terms of music training, he says he’s taken guitar and drum lessons. He’s also learning mandolin.

* As we heard on the show, Levi helps one of his older brothers with his lawn care business.

* According to his Voice bio, he also helps out at his dad’s all-natural ice pops chain. Levi has type 1 diabetes, the site says, so he can’t eat many ice pops, but he enjoys cutting up the fruit and working the machinery.

* As for his performing experience prior to The Voice, says Levi: “I have led music for my church youth group a few times as a part of a band. But, yes, it is true I’ve never performed solo music before in public before my blind audition. I was kind of nervous, but it was sick.”

See also
Levi Watkins talks about his blind audition on The Voice

Levi on social media:
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