Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Time to meet more contestants on The Voice.

But if you’d like to learn more — and hear more — from the ones we already met, follow these links.

You’ll find info you didn’t see on the show, including details about who has already released music you can download on iTunes.

Team Blake: James David Carter, Reagan James, Taylor Brashears, Allison Bray.

Team Pharrell: Taylor Phelan, Luke Wade, Danica Shirey, Maiya Sykes, Elyjuh Rene.

Team Gwen: Bryana Salaz, Menlik Zergabachew, Taylor John Williams, Sugar Joans.

Team Adam: Joe Kirk, Damien Lawson, Clara Hong.

Now, the newbies …

1. John Martin, 25, Chicago, Ill. He works for a shipping supply company. He got into music playing in church with his dad. He went to college for music, but wound up returning home when his dad lost his job. That’s all the background we’re going to get on John before he steps on stage with his guitar and starts whistling. He’s going to sing “Sweet Pea.” Blake turns his chair early in the sorta offbeat performance. He’s eventually joined by Gwen and Pharrell. Meanwhile, nice ending from John. Blake compliments him on his “cool.” Gwen calls his voice “delicious” and calls him the full package, not to mention “super cute.” And Adam actually helps Blake land John Martin.

2. Jessie Pitts, 18, Birmingham, Ala.: She comes from a big family and says singing in the choir was her way of saying “I’m here.” She suffered burns to her face at age 7, but has clearly recovered. She’s going to school for music, but also works for a record label in Nashville, helping “other people get there music out. But I want it to be my turn.” She launches into “The Story,” showing off a beautiful and delicate voice that has Gwen and Blake turning their chairs in a heartbeat. This gal has a very distinctive sound. Remarkably, they are the only two to turn around. Not sure what Adam and Pharrell were thinking. I loved that audition. Gwen compares her voice to “an angel.” Blake says his voice is like a “bowl of Lucky Charms, marshmallows only.” And Jessie opts to join Team Gwen.

3. Michael Stein, 62, Los Angeles, Calif: He says he’s been a cantor in church since 1990, leading prayers with music and teaching the children the meaning of prayers through music. He and his family also perform together as the Rolling Steins. He’s also performed as a fiddle player in the military and performed for four different presidents. “I would love my gift to reach the masses,” he says. And he starts out on the fiddle, because he’s going to perform, “The Devil Goes Down to Georgia.” He’s certainly entertaining, but the coaches aren’t turning around for his high-energy performance. And Michael fails to land a spot on The Voice.

4. Ricky Manning, 19, Cape Coral, Fla.: He has six siblings, all of whom play instruments or sing or write songs. He says he got into music in third grade and proclaims he was a “lady’s man” a the time. He then progressed to musical theater in school. He opted not to go to college, instead deciding to move to New Jersey to be with his father and pursue music for a year before deciding where to head with his life. He busks in New York, but says he can’t keep doing that the rest of his life. He’s going to audition with “Love Me Again.” The nerves were showing early in his performance, but he shakes that off when he launches into the high-energy chorus. He eventually gets Pharrell and Blake to turn their chairs. Pharrell applauds him for his consistent vocals; Blake compliments him on his conviction to what he’s singing. And Ricky joins Team Pharrell.

5. Kelli Douglas, 31, Dallas, Texas: She’s a single mom to a 6-year-old named Alex. She calls herself a late-bloomer as a performer, saying shyness kept her from singing for a long time. She taught school for six years, but didn’t feel fulfilled and moved in with her parents so she can pursue music. She’s looking for a coach who can help her with her stage presence. She’ll audition with “Danny’s Song.” Wow, the nerves are showing early in this performance, too. Nevertheless, Adam turns around early on. He’s later joined by Gwen and Blake. Kelli, clearly, is pretty astonished by her success. Gwen calls her “so cute.” Adam says he could hear talent through her nerves and is eager to work with Kelli. Blake calls her voice mysterious and haunting. Kelli joins Team Adam.

6. Blessing Offor, 25, New York: He was born in Nigeria and is blind, but says he has no trouble getting around New York. He says he played at the Kennedy Center several times and earned an international award as a soloist. Blessing says he wants to spend the rest of his life playing and writing music. Though he loves soul music, he says he’s sorta hoping Blake turns around for his performance. He’ll audition with “Just the Two of Us.” Honestly, that vocal didn’t impress me. Though Blessing provided a big finish. At the last moment, all four Voice coaches turned their chairs. Gwen compliments him on his “gorgeous tone” and his confidence on stage. Blessing joins Team Pharrell.

7. Troy Ritchie, 21, Trabuco Canyon, Calif.: This guy tells us he loves to entertain. We see him doing handstands. Then he does a couple of impressions. He got a guitar in sixth grade and became a head banger. He lives at home, works at a restaurant, plays there on Saturday night and is also a child care leader. He says he’s never had a vocal lesson, so he’s looking forward to working with one of the coaches. His audition song: “Out of My League.” This guy has a good voice. Good enough to get Gwen to turn around early in his audition. And it looks like he’ll wind up on Team Gwen. Gwen said his performance seemed “seamless.”

8. Cole Wilkinson, 16, Southlake, Texas: He lives on what his family calls the funny farm with three younger brothers. He says he thinks the responsibilities of living on a farm have made him more diligent with his music. He’s been attending a performing arts school and says he likes energetic pop music. He’ll sing “Classic.” Unfortunately, Cole doesn’t get any of the coaches to turn around.

9. Mia Pfirrman, 19, Temple City, Calif.: Her parents were musicians in a band called September. She admits to making fun of her parents. Mia attends community college and performs on weekends. She admits she’s trying to still figure out who she is as an artist. She’s going to sing “Unconditionally.” This gal has lots of potential, not to mention a big voice. She just needs to learn how to control it. For a long time, no one turns around. Then Adam and Blake start a wave of chair turns. Gwen and Pharrell follow. Blake calls her performance “incredible.” Gwen says she can’t wait to try a different song on Mia. Pharrell likes the fact that she took a lot of chances vocally. “You sang like this was your one and only moment,” he says. And Mia joins Team Adam.

Also earning spots on The Voice as part of a montage package …

Alessandra Castronovo, who sang “Love Takes Over” and earned a spot on Team Adam. Blake also turned.
Jordy Searcy, who sang “Skinny Love” and earned a spot on Team Pharrell. Gwen and Blake also turned.
Kensington Moore, who sang “Love Runs Out” and earned a spot on Team Blake.

10. Bree Fondacaro, 24, Orange, Calif. She comes from a very musical family, she says. Her dad, a little person, is a piano and vocal teacher and Bree helps him out. She’s been performing for eight years, but is looking forward to the exposure a show like The Voice would offer. She’s singing “It Ain’t Me Babe.” And she has a distinct vocal style that could help her stand out. And she’s well into a unique performance of the song when Blake spins his chair. And it looks like Bree has won a spot on his team. Gwen compliments the originality in her voice. Blake compliments the rawness in her sound.

11. Anita Antoinette, 24, Boston, Mass: She’s from Kingston, Jamaica, and auditioned back in season 3 but didn’t get a chair to turn. “It was like all of my dreams crashed,” she says. She says she suffered from stage fright after that, but knew she’d have to try again eventually. Anita moved to the U.S. at age 8 and wound up attending the Berklee College of Music. She’ll sing another Bob Marley song, “Turn Your Lights Down Low.” Wow, this time she barely has a couple of notes out when Gwen and Blake turn their chairs. Midway through the performance, Pharrell and Adam turn, giving Anita a four-chair turn. Her reaction: “That’s crazy.” Gwen says “I need that cute voice on my team.” Anita joins Team Gwen.