Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Sam James is one of at least three contestants who tried out for Season 2 of The Voice and failed to make it, then returned for Season 3 and did.

Unfortunately, we saw only a tiny snippet of his audition. Especially unfortunate since he sang John Lennon’s “Imagine” and the song performed well on iTunes the next day.

Suffice to say the coach who told him he sounded too much like Gavin DeGraw last year spun around this year.

That would be Adam Levine, and that was just fine with Sam.

“I’ve got a soft spot for Adam,” the Worcester, Mass., native told Christina Milian after his audition. “I love his music. I think he’s really talented.”

Adam had praise for Sam as well, saying: “You need to be on the show. You’re that good,” and complimenting him on a “fantastic voice.”

Sam is 25, lists his genre as pop/soul/acoustic on his Facebook page and started performing in coffeehouses in his hometown at the age of 15, according to his website bio.

He also plays guitar and writes his own songs. You can hear three of his originals here; “Scream” is particularly good. And here’s a link to his YouTube channel.

Among the other things you might want to know about the guy you really didn’t get a chance to meet on the show …

* He has posted a blog called “George … the second love of my life.” It’s about his 4-year-old golden retriever.

* He has opened or performed with Third Eye Blind, Rusted Root, Collective Soul and Chuck Berry, according to his bio.

* He told his hometown newspaper that watching “Imagine” hit number 11 on iTunes rock chart “was one of the proudest moments for me.”

He also admits to crying a little bit backstage at The Voice when he found his supporters, including his girlfriend and mom, in tears of joy because he made a team.

“It has been a long journey in this crazy music business and to make such amazing headway with one song means the world to me and my family,” he wrote in his blog. “They have been with me through everything and gave me the strength to do this for a second time!”

Editor’s Note: Check back for live blogs once the battle rounds begin on The Voice.

Sam covers Maroon 5’s “I Won’t Go Home Without You”

Sam sings “Soul Beneath Your Sheets”