Michigan songwriter Joshua Davis made an “incredible” run to the finals of the NBC singing competition and even sang a duet with Sheryl Crow. Finishing third is a plus: The experience has made him a national star with a bright future. (Commentary)
Workingman’s Music: Joshua Davis performing this week on “The Voice.”
In his own words, Joshua Davis encountered “so many ups and downs” on “The Voice” since embarking on his illustrious trek to the final four this week on the popular NBC singing competition.
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The Winner: Sawyer Fredericks, left, with Davis.
But the northern Michigan singer-songwriter also called it “one of the most incredible times of my life.”
That “incredible time” came to end Tuesday night, when fellow contestant Sawyer Fredericks was named the winner of the eighth season of “The Voice” based on viewer voting, with Davis coming in third. The long-haired, 16-year-old New York singer wowed judges and audiences from the onset of this season’s competition.
But there’s also no denying the surprising impact that the 37-year-old Davis, an Earthwork Music artist who makes his home in Traverse City, had on this year’s show. By far the oldest contestant on “The Voice” the past two months, Davis nevertheless wowed judges with his slightly raspy vocals and engaging demeanor – something Michigan audiences have embraced for years.
Indeed, Davis was a winner long before he even ascended to this week’s finals, which he called “total madness.”
He’s expanded his audience immeasurably, with millions downloading versions of his songs from “The Voice,” and he reveled in a triumphant homecoming show with members of his band Steppin’ In It earlier this month in Traverse City (where he was bestowed a key to the city amid throngs of well-wishers).
Heck, he even got a chance Tuesday night to sing a duet on national television with superstar Sheryl Crow and won a new Nissan for reaching the final four.
Hometown Hero: Davis greeting Traverse City fans earlier this month. (Photo/Mike Norton)
More than that, he’s focused the spotlight on Michigan’s vibrant music scene by acknowledging other talented musicians and crediting the support of fans for his success. He even encouraged the winner, Fredericks, to sing a song (“Shine On”) written by fellow Earthwork Music artist May Erlewine to further spread the love for Michigan-bred music. (See a list of other upcoming Michigan roots acts in this Local Spins commentary.)
Certainly, Davis’ future is brighter than ever and finishing third has its benefits: He controls his own musical destiny and won’t be tied to some restrictive, long-term contract that comes with being the winner.
And America this week finally got a chance to hear what Michigan fans, aka members of “Davis Nation,” have soaked up for years through Davis’ solo albums and live performances: some truly engaging, thought-provoking original music.
After singing songs by the likes of Bob Dylan and Sting, he finally got the opportunity on Monday to showcase an original tune, “The Workingman’s Hymn,” a hopeful anthem spawned by his experiences growing up amid the economic disparities of Detroit. Check out the video of his performance below.
Davis
By Tuesday morning, the original song had soared to No. 11 on the iTunes Top 100 chart (just below Fredericks and second-place contestant Meghan Linsey). It’s a dynamic example of the sorts of common-man, Midwest themes that resonate throughout Davis’ impressive catalog. And because Davis has lived in the Upper Peninsula, Detroit, Lansing and Traverse City, he truly represents all of Michigan.
“It’s important to me to show my kids that there is hope even in troubled times,” he said in a taped segment prior to Monday night’s live performance. He also sang a rendition of Leonard Cohen’s 1984 classic, “Hallelujah,” and performed a duet rendition of Paul Simon’s 1986 tune, “Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes,” with team leader Adam Levine.
Levine called Davis’ original composition “a fantastic song,” with judge Blake Shelton praising him as “a great songwriter.”
And at its core – after casting aside the over-hyped glitz and hype of a fleeting TV reality show – spreading the word about Davis’ own music may be the most important, enduring impact of this life-altering experience.
VIDEO: Joshua Davis, “The Workingman’s Hymn”
Davis performing with Sheryl Crow on Tuesday night.
Copyright 2015, Spins on Music LLC
This is a really terrific article on Joshua Davis. You have captured the importance of the entire Voice experience for Joshua and what he has to look forward to from his tremendous efforts as a singer songwriter. Thanks