The process may have changed because of the pandemic, but one thing about “The Voice” remains the same. Five very talented artists will compete to win the title as the reality competition series concludes on NBC May 18 and 19. There won’t be confetti falling from the ceiling as the audience roars its approval, but the winner will always have the distinction of owning the trophy.
During the course of the Season 18, I’ve have had the pleasure of speaking with a number of the artists about their journey, including most of those now in the final five. Okay, four out of five. CammWess was the so-called one who got away until we had a lengthy phone conversation last week. The others: Micah Iverson, Toneisha Harris, Thunderstorm Artis and Todd Tilghman.
They have all been a delight –every one very appreciative and grateful to have the opportunity to share their music on a national stage and be coached and mentored by some of the most talented hitmakers in the music industry.
Here is a look at the contenders vying to win it all on “The Voice.”
Todd Tilghman, Team Blake
Performing from Meridian, Mississippi
Known as Pastor Todd not only because he is a clergyman but to differentiate him from a previous member of Team Blake (Todd Michael Hall), Tilghman won even more hearts last week during the playoffs as he performed in a church with his family as the audience. One of the reaction shots memorably showed his four-year-old daughter Winnie fast asleep.
“It had been a long day and thank God it happened. It really was beautiful, but she was starting to get cranky,” Tilghman said during our phone call last week. She is the youngest of the eight children he and his wife are raising.
Their oldest son, who’s 20, has been responsible for setting up the equipment for his dad’s remote performances.
“The show sends us a laptop, a camera and a phone to use as a camera and my son is remarkably talented with these things. The people on the production side are very helpful and talk us through it. I’m going to give them all the props because they are working with each artist’s individual set-up and doing a fantastic job.” Tilghman says with the equipment provided, his son and his wife, whom he credits with making sure he’s getting enough rest, are often able to squeeze in a third or fourth camera angle for his performances.
The video conferences rehearsals for them with Blake have surprisingly felt very intimate. “The only drawback is you can’t talk at the same time,” Tilghman said. “It’s been a little more versatile. We’re aware that there are other people on the call who are not on the screen but it feels like it’s just you. Normally you’re there in person with all the camera people and the crew.”
The fan response has been overwhelming for Tilghman. “We’re still rolling into the finale and so far this is the most wide-ranging. best response I’ve gotten since beginning of season. After I sang Collin Raye’s song from 1991, (“Love, Me”) before I went to bed the download was Number 5 on iTunes. I don’t know what to say except thank you to everyone, but it’s hard to wrap my head around. It’s no secret that I love 90s country music. If you listen to the entire song it’s a legacy song, about what you leave behind and how you loved the people around you.”
As for his future after the show, Tilghman said he’d like to make and release an album as soon as possible, and continue to learn from people who are successful in the industry.
Toneisha Harris, Team Blake
Performing from Roswell, Georgia
Whatever happens in the finale, Harris already has several promised gigs awaiting her. After her bravura performance of Celine Dion’s “Because You Loved Me,” Kelly Clarkson offered her a spot in her stage shows in Las Vegas. Shelton quickly followed suit with his own offer of them performing together.
“It was such a surreal moment, to have someone of Kelly’s caliber offering me that opportunity speaks volumes of her to share her platform, and I’m definitely going to take her up on it,” Harris told me last week. “Blake’s offer also blew me away. I already knew we were going to continue our friendship, and to work with him in 2021 would be a pinnacle.”
If that wasn’t enough, she got the ultimate compliment when none other than James Taylor compared Harris’ voice to that of Barbra Streisand and Aretha Franklin when he mentored her.
Preparing for the performances from home and then singing remote has had its ups and downs. “I miss the tangible crowd because I draw energy from them and connecting with them and seeing their connection drives me further,” she said. “I appreciate being able to be more intimate. They’re in my home literally, seeing me interact with my family, seeing me singing, and that helps them see a different side of me.”
“I’ve been able to talk to Blake as often as I need, as we continue to present great music and artistry to the fans,” said Harris. “There’s also a lot of praying, breathing, and taking a moment to live with the music. I love it—it’s what I signed up for, and I love the hustle and bustle of the experience.”
Harris’s husband has been her rock during the journey. “The interesting thing about family is finding a balance with career, finding that niche to be well-rounded– and usually one aspect falls short. He’s been patient and supportive, and I see him as a superstar. I love that I get to share this moment with him. He has worked tirelessly and I am grateful people get to see how intricate our relationship is. He’s an amazing father, taking care of our two sons,” she said.
The support from fans has also been phenomenal – and international – from places including Korea, Brazil, the Philippines and Canada. “The response from fans has been overwhelming and supportive,” Harris said. “During this pandemic people need hope, and music has the ability to pierce your heart and it heals and unites.”
CammWess, Team Legend
Performing from Blythewood, South Carolina
John Legend has repeated described CammWess’ voice as being like “honey butter,” and that was evident in his mesmerizing performance of the late, great Bill Withers song “Ain’t No Sunshine” and in his rendition of Kasey Musgrave’s “Rainbow.”
Camm has had some of the most memorable moments during the season, the first when the coaches sang happy birthday to him after his blind audition, but couldn’t quite get his name right. It’s the stage name from his given name, Cameron Wesley.
He was stolen from Team Legend by Kelly Clarkson after a battle with Mandi Castillo in which they performed “Senorita.” Then, Clarkson opted for Megan Danielle in their knockout, and after a blistering fight with Nick Jonas who told him never to go back to an ex—words that came back to bite him in another context– Camm opted to go home again.
“It seems like something out of a movie and I couldn’t write it any better,” CammWess said about his relationship with Legend. “He’s inspired me the most and I feel blessed that this is happening to me. Part of me is hanging my head in disbelief.”
He’s been enjoying the remote coaching that’s gone on during the coronavirus pandemic. “Even though it’s virtual, it’s still inviting John into your living room. On screen it’s just the two of us. In California there would’ve been 50 other people in the room. It feels like the two of us in each other’s living space. We feel like we’re buddies.”
Despite the videoconferencing that has replaced in-person meet-ups, the camaraderie amongst the artists and previous teammates remain strong. “We picked back up where we left off, and still had the love for each other.” CammWess said. “Just the learning experience–I’ve never been around this large of a group who feel the same way about music and finding success. Coming from a different angle, one of my favorite parts is learning the lighting and camera work, also from my peers, and enjoying the kinship. The bonds we’re creating are strong.”
His dedication to his little cousin Ari, who has withstood some medical issues in her young life also serve to create a stronger bond with his fan base. “I’ve always been inspired by how she takes everything in stride and weathered these storms,” he said. “My guitar is named after her, and as I move through life and perform I wanted a reminder of her positive disposition as I gig and perform.”
He said social media has allowed fans to reach out and tell him how he’s inspired them to make positive changes in their own lives. Musgraves and one of her songwriters also reached out to let him know they dug his performance of “Rainbow.”
At the beginning of the journey, no one could have ever predicted the situation we are in now, but CammWess says he’s excited for the finale. “Emotionally, it’s been a roller coaster, different from the things that you are expecting, or preparing for,” he said. “This is cool– a trial by fire– and, we still have to rise to the occasion and do excellent work. No matter what happens. I’ll be ready for it. I feel prepared.”
Micah Iverson, Team Kelly
Performing from Atlanta, Georgia
As the only guy on Kelly’s team, Iverson has touched hearts far and wide with his remote playoff renditions of Elton John’s “Your Song” and Death Cab for Cutie’s “I Will Follow You into the Dark.”
“Obviously, this is not the Live Show experience any of us imagined, so there was some initial disappointment. But I quickly learned this means of performing lends itself well to my style of music,” Iverson said in an email.
“I love the intimate, coffeehouse vibe of inviting people into my home and performing for them. This way, all of America gets to experience my favorite way to perform music. My biggest challenge, however, is the flip side of that. Having no visible audience to draw energy from can be challenging and I miss having faces look back at me.”
Iverson had quit his job as an investment relations representative, a good job, he said– and moved to Atlanta from Virginia last summer.
“I wanted to start a band, yet I had no connections in music, but I wanted to be near my family. It was a decision based on a whim but held a deeper desire,” he said. “A friend whom I sang with started sending me the link for ‘The Voice’ auditions every other week. He said I really should do this, so I went to cattle calls at 6 a.m. and waited for four hours before getting in front of a producer. You sing in a room with other people, and luckily they liked what I sang. From there it was a few more steps before I was out in LA.”
“I knew my goal was to get Kelly, but if she doesn’t think I can sing, I don’t know. She was my one and only. I thought if no one turns in the first 30 seconds once I started singing…I closed my eyes and Kelly, Nick and Blake all turned.”
Kelly had turned her red chair first, and he took her blue satin jacket proudly after his blind audition of Kodaline’s “All I Want.”
“As an artist, I think Kelly is incredibly talented at conveying emotion in one single phrase with so much feeling and depth. She’s very moving,” said Iverson. “I’m into music that more moves people, and Kelly as an artist is really good at that.”
The lockdown has served to deepen their relationship. “Honestly, this has barely affected my relationship with Kelly. She is just as encouraging and just as energetic over video chat as she is in person,” he said. “Each time we meet she encourages me to just continue doing what I love despite these strange circumstances and I love her for it.”
As for what comes next, there’s some uncertainty. “Honestly, I don’t know. I think I want to put out an EP and go on tour. I’ve met so many fans and friends virtually as a result of this show, so I would love to meet them in person. A small tour would let me do that.”
Thunderstorm Artis, Team Nick
Performing from Portland, Oregon
Like Toneisha and Todd, Artis was a four-chair turn. But he’s the only one of the final five who got married during lockdown. Now he and his wife Faith are spending their “honeymoon” in Portland prepping for the finale.
The Haleiwa, Hawaii native grew up as one of 11 siblings singing with a family band. Both of his parents were accomplished musicians and worked for Motown with some of its legendary recording artists.
“My dad passed when I was 13,” Artis said. “Having him in my life was such a blessing and also a legacy. My dad laid an amazing foundation for me and our family.”
Show producers had heard about Thunderstorm after he performed at the wedding of “Crazy Rich Asians” director Jon M. Chu, who had originally seen him busking on the street in Hawaii and became enthralled with Thunderstorm’s talent.
Artis went in to audition– and then went back out on tour, where he was playing festivals and concerts. Several months later, he got the word that he’d made it to the blinds.
His song choice then was the Beatles classic “Blackbird,” and very quickly into the performance, John Legend, Kelly Clarkson and Nick Jonas all swiveled their chairs for him, with Blake Shelton soon following.
“The lights go down and I start the song and after about 15 seconds I open my eyes and three of them had turned around,” Artis recalled. ”Then all four chairs turned and I saw the looks on their faces. When the time has come you’re thrown for a loop in making a decision. They had all these amazing things to say. And I love all of them equally, but from the beginning I wanted John. He’s such a good-hearted man but every word he says is for a reason. He shoots really straight and knows what he’s aiming for.”
But so did Jonas. He’d been looking for an opportunity to steal Thunderstorm, and he got it in the knockouts.
After that, Thunderstorm showcased new aspects of his talent with remote performances of Ella Fitzgerald’s classic “Summertime” and the Michael Bublé song “Home.”
A trophy would seem to be the perfect wedding gift.
