Idol Chatter & Voice Views

His audition: Tanner Linford, 17, of Kaysville, Utah, auditioned with Alison Krauss’ “When You say Nothing at All.” He was pretty solid throughout, but it wasn’t until a very pretty ending that Blake Shelton turned around, giving him a spot on Season 7. Blake complimented his “great pitch” and “awesome control.”

His background: Tanner was one of the contestants taking a second stab at the blind auditions in Season 7. He auditioned with Rihanna’s “Stay” in Season 6 and failed to turn a chair. In hindsight, Tanner admits he was really nervous and “not quite ready” for The Voice stage. But he says family and friends encouraged him to try again, providing him with “new determination” to prove he could do better. Since his last audition, he’s performed at fairs and at his junior prom to help build his confidence.

What the show didn’t show: Well, we know he came within seconds of not turning a chair for a second time. His reaction when Blake turned around? “I went from a state of total dispair to like complete and utter giddiness,” Tanner said. “So really, a bizarre emotional experience for me, but one of the greatest things that’s ever happened to me.” Vocally, Tanner said he felt like he’d come a long way since his first appearance on the show, partly because he’d taken advantage of all the opportunities he was given to perform. “But then, when I actually got on the stage and saw the backs of those chairs again, all the memories started coming back. The fear and the doubts kind of started setting in.” He admits to being shaky early in the performance, but thought he got more control. “I just tried to pour my soul into it at the end there,” he said. Tanner said the fact that a couple of coaches thought he was a girl until they turned their chairs around didn’t bother him, because Adam and Pharrell have been told the same thing. “I don’t know what kind of girl they were picturing in their heads,” he joked. He also said he’s glad to land on Team Blake because of all the success he’s had with young singers on the show in the past. Musically, Tanner says he enjoys rock, pop-rock and alternative rock and says one of his favorite bands is U2.

Update: Tanner defeated fellow teen Justin Johnes in the battle round; they sang One Direction’s “You and I.” In the knockout round, Tanner performed “Calling All Angels” by Train, but lost to Jessie Pitts and was eliminated from the show.

On iTunes: Just his audition song.

Keeping up with Tanner:
Twitter: @Tanner_Linford
Facebook
YouTube

“I’ll Be” cover

“Life of the Party” cover

“Say Something” (cover)