The northern Michigan singer-songwriter takes the next step in the televised competition, continuing to wow judges. Read the post-show Local Spins interview with Davis and watch a video of his performance.
MARCH 31 UPDATE: THE POST-SHOW INTERVIEW OF DAVIS BY LOCAL SPINS
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What started as a learning experience of a lifetime has turned into a bona fide odyssey toward prospective TV stardom for veteran Michigan singer-songwriter Joshua Davis.
Davis, 37, an Earthwork Music artist from Traverse City, took the next step toward that goal on “The Voice” Monday when he was selected to join the Top 20 finalists in the TV reality show competition.
Judge Adam Levine chose Davis over fellow contestant and high school student Lexi Davila after Davis sang a rendition of Amos Lee’s 2005 song, “Arms of a Woman,” impressing the entire panel of show judges. It was an inspiring and tender performance, spotlighting his signature wisp of raspiness.
“I knew you were great, but that is easily the best I’ve heard you,” raved judge and country singer Blake Shelton. “You sound like a guy willing to go to the end of this thing.”
That “thing” now moves on to live performances by the 20 remaining contestants as part of “The Voice” competition, which kicked off on-air in February, but actually has occupied Davis for several months since he was asked to audition for the program.
“I’m actually really amazed that I’ve been embraced as much as I have and that people are reacting the way that they are,” Davis told Local Spins in a phone interview from Los Angeles on Tuesday. He said his experience so far has been “affirming.”
Davis’ standout performance of the Lee tune came in tribute to his wife, Ann – someone he said has strongly supported him in his musical pursuits. He also said his wife, a classically trained vocalist, has long encouraged him to spend more time warming up his voice and exercising his vocal cords.
During his training sessions for “The Voice,” the show’s vocal coach has really gotten him to concentrate on his singing more than he ever has.
“It’s been really good for me. I’ve learned so much from the show, I’m not just saying that,” he insisted. “Over the past few months of doing that every day, I can feel a huge difference. It’s really opened my voice up a lot.”
That’s certainly impressed the judges. Pharrell Williams called Davis’ rendition of “Arms of a Woman” a “masterful performance.” Fellow judge Christina Aguilera said Davis “pulls on your heartstrings.”
Davis, a member of the Michigan band Steppin’ In It, said he was impressed that Levine had faith in him to continue being part of his team.
As it turns out, Davis’ competitor on Monday night’s NBC broadcast also moved on after Aguilera “stole” her at the end of the show.
Davis said Davila and all of the contestants have wowed him with their vocal prowess.
“When you get to this point, it’s more of a taste thing than anything else because everyone is so incredibly talented,” he said, noting he’s also been introduced to pop and R&B songs he’s never heard before thanks to the other competitors. “It’s a diverse group of people here and they’re so sweet, too.”
THE VETERAN OF THE BUNCH AND WORKING LONG HOURS IN L.A.
Of course, Davis – the father of two – is by far “the oldest one” left in the competition and has served as a mentor in some ways. “I’m the old guy and there’s a a lot of young people on the show and that’s fun. I miss my kids in a a big way. It doesn’t bother me to have some kids around.”
Davis, who’ll be part of tonight’s taped edition of “The Voice” that features songs by all of the finalists, is rehearsing night and day for next week’s live performance segment of the competition.
“It’s a lot faster pace. There are a lot of sleepless nights and up at the crack of dawn, and working long, long hours,” he said. “There’a lot to do and very little time to do it.”
And he remains grateful for the support of Michigan fans and musicians, who’ve followed and cheered his progress.
“I have so many comrades in the Michigan music scene. Michigan’s got it going on,” he said. “We’ve got so much talent per capita, I wish every one of them could feel just for a few minutes what I’ve been feeling the past few weeks.”
Read more about Davis’ career and his decision to appear on “The Voice” in this Local Spins story.
JOSHUA DAVIS: ‘ARMS OF A WOMAN’
Copyright 2015, Spins on Music LLC
I was an early follower of Steppin’ In It, introduced by my kids when they knew a few members. Joshua has taken his music to a whole new level…he’s fabulous! Good luck to him in this opportunity to show how much he can bring to the music world! Btw…my kids are now residents of TC…. His home town?
Naomi: No, TC isn’t his hometown. He moved there a few years back ( I want to say 2?). He is originally from Metro-Detroit, with a splash of Yoop, and I know he spent a lot of years around Lansing too.