Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Samuel Wilco of Fort Knox, Kentucky, listens to feedback at his blind audition on The Voice Season 18 (NBC Photo)

He sees more music in his future. Heck, and in his present too after earning a spot on Season 18 of The Voice.

Samuel — his real last name is Woodberry and he’s from Lake City, S.C. — auditioned for The Voice with Jodeci’s “Lately.”

It took a while, but a big note prompted chair turns from Nick Jonas and Kelly Clarkson.

Kelly said she loves his voice and predicted he’ll do well on the show. Nick called his performance “unbelievable,” and said Samuel seemed to deliver it with “ease.”

Samuel opted to join Team Nick. Here’s what he told Voice Views about the blind audition experience.

Voice Views: How did you wind up auditioning for The Voice Season 18 and what prompted you to do it? Had you ever tried a show like this in the past?

Samuel: Well, it is my wife’s favorite show and every since I started watching it with her, she’s been saying that I’m supposed to be on it. After a few years of hearing that, something just sparked while watching season 16 and I felt that I should try out. So I did. I actually tried out for the American idol when I was around 26 years old. I didn’t really have a great experience so I told myself that I would never try for another show like that again. I guess God had other plans. 😁

Voice Views: Why did you choose “Lately” for your audition song? What’s your performance history with that song (for instance, is it one you’ve played often)?

Samuel: I’ve always really loved that song, especially the Jodeci version. Inm high school as well as my early years in the Army, I sang Jodeci covers quite often. That one has always been a classic to me.

Voice Views: Did you have a coaching preference heading into the blind audition? And why did you go with Team Nick?

Samuel: I kind of had an idea of who I would like to go with if all the coaches turned. When I first thought about auditioning for the show, my daughters suggested that I listen to some of the Jonas Brothers’ latest music. I did and I really liked what I heard. I asked them if they knew that the brothers were on the finale of season 16. They said, “no”. So then I asked them, “wouldn’t it be funny if I met them?” So when I saw that Nick was the new coach, it just seemed like fate to me.

Voice Views: And what was that blind audition experience like? Especially considering the fact that you were coming up on the end of the performance and no one had turned? Then you hit a big note, and presto. Where you aware and of the chairs? Did you change strategy during the performance at all?

Samuel: It was one of the most awesome experiences of my life. As for the coaches and the chairs… to be honest, I wasn’t really focused on them as much as I was focused on doing what I’d practiced. In the Army we have a saying “train as you fight.” So knowing that I was as prepared as I could be, l just did what I had rehearsed. When I finished, I was super grateful to see that Kelly and Nick had turned.

Voice Views: Can you tell me a bit about what you’d done in terms of performing prior to The Voice? I saw a clip of you performing with the U.S. Army rock band on YouTube, but couldn’t tell if that was a regular gig or just a guest singing opportunity.

Samuel: Most of my singing experience has been in church. I am currently on the worship team at my church and I love it! I’ve also done several performances throughout my life outside of church, but that is where my primary focus is at these days. The opportunity to sing with the Army band with something that I requested to help promote my sound as well as theirs.

For more on Samuel’s background and his social media links, head here.