Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Todd Tilghman listens to the coaches’ feedback following his blind audition on The Voice Season 18. (NBC Photo)

And you might say he did it in fine fashion, turning all four chairs with his rendition of Bob Seger’s “We’ve Got Tonight.”

The coaches praised the energy he brought to the stage and the rasp in his voice.

Todd, 41 and a pastor from Meridian, Mississippi, opted to join Team Blake Shelton.

Here’s what he told Voice Views about that decision and the blind audition experience.

Voice Views: How did you wind up auditioning for The Voice and what prompted you to do it?

Todd: I went to an open call in Atlanta because a friend sent me the info and my wife applied A LOT of pressure.

Voice Views: Why did you chose “We’ve Got Tonight” for your audition song? Is that a song you’ve performed often?

Todd: I chose it because I love it, and because I love Seger, and because I felt like it would be a good song for my voice/style. In hindsight, that last thing was probably a little unintentionally arrogant of me (Seger is PHENOMENAL), but I guess it worked out in the end.

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

Todd: Going in I just hoped one of them would believe in me enough to turn. But, given the choice, it was always kind of between Blake and Kelly. All the coaches are successful musically. Kelly is more my “style” musically (strong, belting type). I ultimately chose Blake, though, because our personalities seemed more alike to me. He likes to be sarcastic and doesn’t take life too seriously, etc …

Voice Views: Can you describe a bit about what that blind audition experience was like? I mean, you had three chairs turn very quickly and wound up with all four as the very first contestant on the very first show of the season?

Todd: The whole thing was surreal! Still is. I was dying of anxiety backstage. Then those doors opened and I walked out to TOTAL silence. But when I got on stage, I felt remarkably calm. I felt like my start was a bit shaky, but the moment chairs started turning my excitement went through the roof! It was really a defining moment for me.

For more on Todd, his background and his social media links, head here.