Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Tonight, auditioners will be vying for the final nine spots on The Voice.

Each of the show’s four judges will end the night with 12 team members.

But spots are a precious commodity at this point, so I won’t be surprised if Adam Levine, Blake Shelton, Cee Lo Green and Christina Aguilera are more selective than ever.

Blake, Adam and Christina have just two spots left; Cee Lo has three.

Whitney Myer, 25, Reno, Nev.:  She’s been performing with her family since age 14.  But she says she doesn’t think her parents would mind losing their lead singer.  She’ll sing “No One.”  And she’s only a few bars into the song when Adam Levin spins his chiar around.  Now he’s joined by Cee Lo.  And Blake.  And finally Christina, meaning Whitney will have her choice from between all four judges.  By the way, her family band bears her name — The Whitney Myer Band — and plays pop, funk and soul music. Here’s the band’s website.  And she decides to go with Team Adam.  Grade: B.

David Dunn, 27, Midland, Texas:   He’s been into singing since he was 15 or 16.  His dad owns an oil company;  David says he’s the only family member who doesn’t work for that company.  That makes David determined to prove he belongs on stage.  He sings “The Man Who Can’t Be Moved.”  The girls are going to love this guy’s look and his sound.  Wow, really surprised none of the judges bit on David.  His performance certainly wasn’t that bad.  Grade: C+

The Shields Brothers, Va.:  Next, we get a pair of brothers who play rock in Virginia and live on a farm with their parents. Rory and Christian want to get out of that house and “punch America in the face with rock and roll.”  They’ll perform “Dancing With Myself.”  Gotta say, I’m surprised as Cee Lo spins his chair around early into their high-energy performance.  The only thing Cee Lo, this is called The Voice.  And I’d rate that performance very well, but the vocals not so good.  Here’s a link to their Facebook page.  Grade: C

Cheesa, 21, Honolulu, Hawaii:  She’s been singing since age 10, and her parents moved from Hawaii to Los Angeles to help her pursue her dream.  The family struggled as a result, Cheesa says, leaving her “very grateful.”  She says she’d like to land on Team Cee Lo.  She’ll sing “If I Were a Boy.”  Rough opening, Cheesa.  Tough song choice, too.  She hits the chorus and sounds much better, but the opening was so weak, she might not be able to recover.  And Cee Lo turns around at the last moment, enticed by a huge final note.  And so Cheesa gets her wish.  Grade: C-.

Preston Shannon, 64, Memphis, Tenn:  Even at age 64, Preston admits he needs some training.  He’s a blues singer who’s determined not to give up on his dream.  He’ll perform “In the Midnight Hour.”  With so few spots left, the judges aren’t going to turn around unless they’re wowed, and I don’t think Preston is going to wow them.  Grade: C.

Lex Land, 24, Austin, Texas:  She studied classical music, became a singer-songwriter and now sings jazz gigs for extra income.  She also volunteers at a Girls Rock camp to put her talent to use teaching music to young ladies.  She’s going to sing “I Can’t Make You Love Me.”  And the judges must hear something in her voice that I don’t.  Adam, Cee Lo and Blake quickly turn around.  Wow, didn’t get that at all.  She sounded so nervous, the first part of the song was barely audible.  Here’s a link to more music from Lex, who winds up on Team Blake. Grade: C-

Orlando Napier, 25, Los Angeles, Calif:  He’s a blues singer who started writing his own music at age 18.  He thinks the audition at The Voice might be his “golden door.”  After running into trouble with the law, he says music helped “rejuvenate” him as a person.  His father plays in the same band.  He’ll play piano and sing “Waiting on the World to Change.”  Adam spins around just a couple of notes in.  That was one of the better auditions we heard tonight, even if only one judge turned around.  Here’s a link to more music from Orlando.  And that completes Team Adam. Grade: B-.

Cameron Novack, 28, St. Louis, Missouri:  This guy calls himself a “jack of all genres.” He has a hip-hip project.  He’s done R&B.  He went to Europe to sing opera.  He says he considers himself a “triple threat,” if that’s as high as you can go.  And he says he’d “be shocked” if a coach doesn’t turn around.  He’ll sing “You Oughta Know.”  Great expression on Blake’s face.  He just looks confused by what he’s hearing.  Get ready to be shocked Cameron.  That was a brutal rendition of that song.  You would have been better off rapping.  Grade: D-

Lee Koch, 27, Temecula, Calif.:  He works in his friend’s bakery as a living, alongside his wife. But he’d like to be a musician who bakes, not a baker who pursues music.  He’s going to perform “Like a Rolling Stone.”  Interesting singer-songwriter vibe and nice tone to his voice.  And Christina pushes her button at the last minute, when Lee starts playing his harmonica.  Here’s a link to more music from Lee, who used to perform as Lee Koch and The Grinders. And yet more.  And Lee, after one of the night’s better auditions, winds up on Team Christina.  Grade: B

Wade, 18, Harvest, Alabama:   He says he grow up listening to Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, etc.  He says he never thought about it as singing, but thought he was pretty good at imitating.  “Old school soul” is his favorite music.  And he chooses to sing “Rehab,” a rather odd choice, considering he’s going to be compared to Amy Winehouse’s signature performance.  But his face lights up as Cee Lo spins his chair.  Just a hunch:  The other judges won’t.  And they don’t, meaning Wade rounds out Team Cee Lo.  Grade: C.

Adley Stump, 22, Tulsa, Okla.:  She’s a country singer who says she’s only been singing for 10 months.  But her mom says she knew Adley could sing ever since potty training her.  Adley is going to try to sing Carrie Underwood’s “Last Name.”  She’s pretty good, but she’s doing nothing to make the song her own, and her name isn’t Carrie Underwood.  And right at the end of the song, Christina and Blake both spin around.  Now, Adley might be new at this music business, but she’s got music on her very own website. You can also listen to her here.  She joins Team Blake.  Not a big surprise there. Grade: C.

Sara Hill, 24, Atlanta, Ga.:  She says she’s been working and working for a big break and refusing to give up.  She works at the front desk of a hotel, where she’s not supposed to sing, but says she can’t resist. She’ll sing “I’m Going Down.” And it’s pretty obvious, she’s going to become the final member of Team Christina.  Given the other voices we’ve heard tonight, Sara’s certainly deserving of a spot on the show.  And after refusing to turn around for three singers, Christina turns around for Sara.  Grade: B-.

And the blind auditions on The Voice end.  Next up: The battle rounds, where teammates go head to head.

Tonight’s best:  Whitney Myers and Lee Koch.