Idol Chatter & Voice Views

The Voice, with Adam Levine, Kelly Clarkson, Jennifer Hudson and Blake Shelton in those big red chairs, returns Monday night. (NBC Photo)

The Voice returns Monday night with a two-hour blind audition episode to kick off Season 15.

After profiling more than 50 singers who auditioned for Season 15, I’m pretty sure fans will be pleased by the wide array of talent that will be on display in the coming months.

And no fewer than 34 of those contestants have already released music you can stream, buy and download. You can find links to all those profiles at the bottom of this blog.

Be sure to check out those pre-show releases. This cast has already released excellent music.

What else can fans expect?

Here’s a quick rundown.

1. The coaches: Shoe-throwing Jennifer Hudson is back, a season after her background singer finished third (I still think that was a massive conflict of interest producers never should have allowed.). So is fast-talking Kelly Clarkson, who would do well to tone it down just a bit in Season 15. And, of course, we’ll have Blake Shelton and Adam Levine around to add their quarrelling bromance to the mix.

2. Youth movement: Brynn Cartelli became The Voice’s youngest ever winner at age 14 in Season 14. Season 15 will likely feature at least a dozen singers under 18 and the show’s first 13-year-old contestants since Season 12.

3. Oh, those back stories: The Season 15 auditioners include a singer-songwriter who has done experiments in Antarctica (Jarred Matthew), a singer who’s father who was a member of Journey and wrote the band’s biggest hit (Madison), a veteran musician who sang “Make America Great Again” at the 2016 Republican National Convention (Dave Fenley) and a veteran of “Are You Smarter Than a Fifth-Grader” (Reagan Strange). She was one of the fifth-grade whiz kids.

4. The Comeback Stage: For the first time ever, contestants who fail to turn a chair will have a chance to work their way back onto the show via these on-line episodes, with country singer Kelsea Ballerini as their mentor/coach. Six singers will be involved; one will make the live shows. Head here for more info.

5. The Twitter Save: It’s back. As if there was any doubt. Even though evidence continues to mount that it puts West Coast contestants at a massive disadvantage because it occurs on East Coast time. After becoming the 12th straight West Coast singer to fail to snag a save, Pryor Baird called it “totally unfair” and “bulls—.” I couldn’t have said it better. Did you know a West Coaster has never won a Twitter save on The Voice?

6. The Block: Unfortunately, it’s back too. I still think it takes focus away from contestants who have just turned in a great blind audition. Not to mention limiting their coaching choices. I mean, let me get this straight: A contestant who fails to turn a single chair, but makes it back to the show via the comeback stage gets to select any coach they want. But a singer who turns four chair might be prevented from selecting their preferred coach thanks to a block Yep, that makes tons of sense.

Check back Monday night. I’ll be live blogging the Season 15 premiere.

Abby Cates
Anthony Arya
Audri
Caeland Garner
Calista Quinn
Chevel Shepherd
Chris Kroeze
Claire Dejean
Cody Ray Raymond
Colton Smith
Dave Fenley
DeAndre Nico
Delany Silvernell
Emily Hough
Erika Zade
Franc West
Foushee
Funsho
Hannah Kay
Jared Draheim
Jarred Matthew
Jeremiah Daly
Joey Green
Jake Wells
Kameron Marlowe
Katrina Cain
Kayley Hill
Kennedy Holmes
Keith Paluso
Kymberli Joye
Leah Monet
Lela
Madison
Makenzie Thomas
Matt Johnson
Michael Lee
Mike Parker
Mikele Buck
Mitchell Ferguson
Natalie Brady
Natasia Greycloud
Patrique Fortson
One Up
Rachel Messer
Radha
Reagan Strange
Sam Robbins
Sandy Redd
Sarah Grace
Tyshawn Colquitt
Tyke James
Wyatt Rivers
Zaxai