Idol Chatter & Voice Views

His audition: Rod Stokes, 34, of Grand Bay, Al., performed “To Love Somebody.” His power and conviction prompted an early chair turn from Adam Levine. By the time Rod concluded an excellent vocal, John Legend and Blake Shelton had turned as well. Blake called his vocals “shockingly” good. Rod joined Team Blake.

More about Rod …

* His Voice bio says Rod grew up watching his sister sing in church, but he was too shy to participate. Large for his age, he got involved in football and continued to play in college.

* But as we heard on the show, he had to cut college short to run the family construction business — one his father started 32 years ago — when his dad had complications from hip surgery.

* It’s once he returned home that he got involved in singing in church. He said he sang his first solo in front of his church family at age 20.

* The family eventually started a traveling music ministry. In fact, according to his Voice bio, that’s how Rod met his wife, while out on the road with that ministry.

* Rod told Voice Views that family band is called Rod & Staff and that he’s since performed in more than 300 churches. In addition to guitar, Rod says he also plays drums and a little piano and helps out whenever needed at his home church as well.

* Rod lists his musical inspirations as Ray Charles, Chris Stapleton, Jason Crabb, Ronnie Dunn, Travis Tritt, Michael Bolton, Mike Bowling, Hank Jr. and Marty Raybon. You can check out his cover of Stapleton’s “Millionaire” below.

* On The Voice, Rod said he’s not strictly a country singer. He considers himself a gospel, country soul singer.

* That said, Rod added that he opted for Team Blake because “I’m just a pure ole country boy that has soul! 80’s and 90’s country is my absolute favorite.”

* As for the blind audition experience, here’s what Rod had to say: “It was truly magical! Hearing all the great feedback has put a flame of confidence inside my soul. These guys have been successful for years in the industry, so their opinions carry a lot of weight.”

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