Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Roderick Chambers performs during his knockout round match on The Voice Season 18. (NBC Photo)

Roderick Chambers is advancing to the playoffs on The Voice thanks to a performance of a song that has a very personal connection.

Roderick performed “Redbone” by Childish Gambino during his Team Nick Jonas knockout round match with Tate Brusa.

He showed off amazing range on the song, something the coaches complimented him on after the two artists performed.

Nick selected Roderick as the winner of the match, meaning he’ll be one of four team members advancing to the next phase of the competition.

Here’s what the 38-year-old from Miami told Voice Views about his knockout round experience.

Voice Views: Can you elaborate a bit on that knockout round sound choice? Why you decided to go with “Redbone?”

Roderick: I chose Redbone because it would make my son stop crying. When he was maybe 5 or 6 months old, I recorded a version of Redbone on my YouTube page. And one day my son’s mom was on a drive to the grocery store and he wouldn’t stop crying, so she put my version of Redbone on and he would stop. As soon as the song was over he’d start crying again, so she put it on again.

Voice Views: What’s your performance history with that song? Is it one you’ve performed live often?

Roderick: I’ have been performing that song at my personal performances for maybe three years now. Really great song!

Voice Views: How did you feel about your chances of advancing once the performances were completed?

Roderick: I felt pretty good about my chances, I chose a really great song and I thought it would showcase my voice really well, and it did. When Kelly got out of her chair, I knew I had to be doing something right!

Voice Views: Anything else you’d like to add about the knockout round experience?

Roderick: Working with James Taylor was an amazing experience, as well as sharing the stage with Tate! He has a bright future ahead of him.

Voice Views: Singers are now through three rounds of the show. Can you pinpoint / explain the biggest improvement you think you’ve made to this point as a result of the show?

Roderick: I think I have become more comfortable as a performer. Being able to have made it this far and have Nick and so many others rooting for me has been a huge game changer. It has brought me such validation to have made it this far. My confidence in myself has never been this high!

Voice Views: And, finally, during this lockdown period, what have you been doing to stay musically sharp and make sure you’re ready when competition resumes?

Roderick: Honestly I haven’t been doing much at all. I mostly play my xbox! For the last two years I have been performing anywhere from four to six days a week so I am enjoying this break. I have been singing professionally for the past 17 years, so I guess I’ve earned a little time off.

See also …
Meet Roderick Chambers
Roberick talks about his blind audition
Roderick talks about his battle round match