On one of the first “blind audition” episodes of the singing show “The Voice,” MSU alumnus and Michigan native Joshua Davis took the stage, singing “I Shall Be Released” by Bob Dylan.
In the show, celebrity judges sit in chairs with their backs turned to performers and turn their chairs if they are interested in having the singer on their team.
Both Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine and country music artist Blake Shelton turned their chairs in an attempt to recruit Davis.
At the time of this interview, Davis had chosen to be on Team Blake but was later stolen by Adam Levine during a “battle round.”
Davis took the time to speak with The State News about how long he has been involved in music and how his family just got cable to watch the premiere of the season he will be competing in.
The State News: What was your major, and what were some of your best memories at MSU?
Joshua Davis: I was a theatre major in 2001, I think. It’s been awhile. There’s a lot of things I liked about MSU; the theater department is a tight community. There’s a lot of talented people there. Just interaction with great professors and great people. I lived in co-op for a couple years which was really cool. I met my bandmates, and we started a band while I was in college in 1998, and (I’ve) been with them on and off.
SN: How did you get involved with music?
JD: I got a guitar when I was about 13 years old. I grew up going to a lot of music festivals. I had an early interest in music, specifically folk music. It’s a community-based art form, bringing music together. I started writing songs in high school and then I did a lot of solo stuff when I was in college. Then I met the guys and we formed Steppin In It. While I was in college, we toured pretty heavily, which was tough, but when we got out we hit the road hard. Two hundred plus shows a year across the country.
SN: What do you like about music?
JD: The community aspect, in Michigan especially. There’s a lot of bouncing ideas off one another and pushing the whole scene, where a lot of other places it’s more competitive. In my experience in Michigan it’s very collaborative. Everyone is very supportive of one another. It’s a wonderful thing.
SN: Why did you decide to audition for “The Voice?”
JD: They saw some videos of me online and contacted me. It was a shocker. I had never seen the show before. My family just got cable to watch the premiere. I was never a fan of reality TV, but I was really surprised with the show and how it carries itself. It’s a really respectable show. It’s very positive and uplifting. Even when somebody doesn’t get chairs turned, Pharrell is pumping them up. It’s not there to rip anybody down, the culture of the show is very positive. We decided it was a good thing to be involved in.
SN: How did it feel to have both Adam Levine and Blake Shelton turn their chairs for you?
JD: It was a tough decision to make. I feel like they both had a lot of wonderful things to say. I chose Blake because he was really tied into Nashville. I’m a songwriter, and I like the way he speaks to a song. He’s into the narrative of songs. He can really sell a song well. He’s also really funny and doesn’t take himself too seriously, which I like, and he puts you at ease.
SN: What are you most excited about with the future of the show?
JD: It’s just been such a surprise, I never thought I would do anything like this. It’s out of my frame of reference. Everybody there is super diverse, very talented, sweet. It’s been exciting to meet these people and get to know them. Working with the coaches, Blake, getting feedback from people in the industry is going to be great. Trying to make Michigan proud, bring that spirit of cooperation to this “competition.” I’m excited to keep going.
