Idol Chatter & Voice Views

His audition: Luke Edgemon, 24, of Fayetteville, N.C., sang Bonnie Raitt’s “I Can’t Make You Love Me” in his audition. By that point, Blake and Adam had already filled their teams. But he got both of the other coaches to turn around, then picked Team Shakira.

Battle Round: Lost to Monique Abbadie on Lady Gaga’s “You and I.” But both Blake and Usher tried to steal him. Luke picked Blake.

Knockout Round: He sang Katy Perry’s “Teenage Dream” and lost to Holly Tucker, who performed “Live Like You’re Dying.”

His background: Luke told The Voice his first memory of being interested in music was in the church where his father was minister and his mom sang in the choir. “We went to some pretty charismatic churches,” he said. “We were the only white people there. They were very gospel infused.” After high school, Luke headed to L.A. and says he “hit the ground running as a background singer,” mentioning working with Queen Latifah and Mary J. Blige. Now, he says, “I think it’s time to spread my wings.”

On his original pick of Shakira: “I feel like because Shakira turned first, that was my first inkling to go with her. And the things she said to me and her passion for my song and the way she was reacting while I was singing it just kind of resonated and I just felt like it was the right decision.” Oh, and he added that he was impressed by the fact that she imitated Usher’s one foot on chair pose, even though she was “pretty pregnant at the time.”

What the show didn’t show: Luke appeared on “Glee” as a member of the Dalton Academy Warblers. And back in Season 9, he advanced to Hollywood on American Idol from the Orlando auditions along with Michael Lynche, Aaron Kelly and a young lady named Candice Glover. Poke around YouTube and you’ll find videos of him singing with several former Idol contestants. In his post-audition interview with The Voice, Luke said his style is more R&B than Shakira’s but that he’s anxious to work with someone who’s succeeded in becoming an international success.

Quote: “I feel like being on ‘Glee’ is — it was a really fun thing. It’s kind of a weird situation. I do background vocals for the show as well. That’s kind of my main bread-winning job. But being a warbler prepared me to be in front of a camera. I don’t really experience nerves or jitters very much anymore.”

On iTunes: His audition song, “I Can’t Make You Love Me”

Keeping Up with Luke
Twitter: @LukeEdgemon
Facebook
YouTube channel

“O Holy Night”

“Mountains” (Emeli Sandé cover)