Arroe Collins That Voice: A Decade With The Performers On NBC's The Voice

Joei’s first performance was at 2 years old when she joined her dad’s band on stage to sing “Jingle Bells” in front of 2,000 people. Her dad was a professional bodybuilder until he quit to be a traveling musician, taking the family all over the world. Now Joei and her siblings all play with their dad in the family band and make their living as musicians. She describes her close-knit family as the modern-day Partridge Family and has never been separated from them for more than a week. Outside of music, Joei competes in amateur mixed martial arts, body-building contests and speaks three languages.

If you could share a conversation with a seed before it becomes a tree would you speak of its future fruit or would it be all things right now?

Allegra grew up on the beautiful island of St. John, spending her time freediving and sailing with her family. When she was 11, her family moved to Florida for more opportunities in music and education. Allegra has always been surrounded by music with her mother being a music therapist and her family would often play open mic nights together around town. At 12, Allegra began songwriting and posting her music online and for the last two years has been performing several times a week while juggling her schoolwork. Allegra comes to "The Voice" hoping to kickstart her music career.

If you could share a conversation with a seed before it becomes a tree would you speak of its future fruit or would it be all things right now?

Mike grew up with a single mom and grandmother who helped raise him and his brother. He was inspired to pursue music after his grandmother bought him a drum set. She would sing at retirement homes and take him along so he could play back-up. Spending this time with her taught him to always give back. Mike went on to study music education and became a middle school chorus teacher. He lost his grandmother to cancer in 2014 but started a foundation in her name where he performs at retirement homes just like she did. Outside of the foundation, Mike now sings on a cruise ship and teaches private vocal lessons.

If you could share a conversation with a seed before it becomes a tree would you speak of its future fruit or would it be all things right now?

Todd found his passion for heavy metal music at 15 when he joined his brother's band. He put music on the backburner after college and started working at his family's manufacturing company. During that time, he started a pen pal relationship with a woman from India who was a fan of his former band. After three years of writing, he flew out to meet her and proposed on his second trip. They now have three kids and live in Michigan where Todd is the head of his family's manufacturing company and owns a climbing gym that he offers free of charge. Outside of work and being a dad, Todd gigs abroad two months a year with the heavy metal band, Riot.

If you could share a conversation with a seed before it becomes a tree would you speak of its future fruit or would it be all things right now?

Hey it’s Arroe. Welcome to my new podcast series Play It Forward. A look at the unexpected changes endured by entertainers, writers, camera people and all others affected but not infected by the global invasion of the Coronavirus.
The goal is to feature two different types of episodes. The individual conversations as well as a collected array of the entire picture. Real people. Real stories. The struggle to Play It Forward.
Episode 12: The New Voices Part One. Over the past several years I’ve had the incredible opportunity to share multiple conversations with those who’ve poured their souls into making music and now they’ve earned a spot on NBC’s The Voice. This time around can’t be compared to any other. Each singer/songwriter performer in their own way has seen a swift change in life due 100% to how the Coronavirus has completely shut down every walk of life.
Michael Todd Hall is a passionate 50 year old Rocker who’s reached beyond the limits and stepped onto the world’s most famous stage. Away from the music he’s been in charge of the families manufacturing company. In essence he’s been hit by two stones.
With so much experience with music as a whole an experience like this opens the door for him to help up and coming artists strapped down by the silence.
Joanna Serenko saw this moment on NBC’s The Voice as being the total showcase. What happens when the weekly competition moves closer to the live performances? How does she see that playing out?
Keeping in touch with fans and followers. Popularity is the name of the game.
Mike Jerel is a true southern soul setting free his gift of performance. Like so many he’s realized how thick the wall of silence really is.

If you could share a conversation with a seed before it becomes a tree would you speak of its future fruit or would it be all things right now?

From: Minneapolis, NM Current city: Minneapolis, MN Jesse’s father was his biggest influence and introduced him to classic blues at a young age. After his father suddenly died of a heart attack, he began to lose his drive and considered quitting music. Then he got a call to audition for Prince. After many auditions, he got the opportunity to play for Judith Hill, whom Prince was producing. After Prince’s sudden death, the tour was canceled but the experience reignited Jesse’s passion for music.

If you could share a conversation with a seed before it becomes a tree would you speak of its future fruit or would it be all things right now?

Kiara began singing before she could talk and started performing at 11 through the Collabo Youth Theater. From a young age, she was inspired to use music to make a positive difference in people's lives. Two years ago, Kiara was asked by the White House to sing the National Anthem at an event to raise awareness about campus violence. That same year, after the 2017 Las Vegas shooting, she wrote a folk song called "58 Stars" for the 58 people who lost their lives that day. She was asked to perform the song at the memorial and later at a tribute benefit. Kiara comes to "The Voice" hoping to continue to touch people with her music.

If you could share a conversation with a seed before it becomes a tree would you speak of its future fruit or would it be all things right now?

Troy grew up in a modest family household. There was no TV but plenty of music. He dreamed of going to college to study engineering and play basketball, but after his dad’s death, he transferred to Boston College and focused on helping his mother. He started to jam with co-workers at a restaurant and joined the band called In like Lions, which had a five-year run. Three years ago, he met his girlfriend and moved to New York to make music together. He quit his job as an aerobics instructor to focus on music full time after some of his original music became popular on Spotify.

If you could share a conversation with a seed before it becomes a tree would you speak of its future fruit or would it be all things right now?

Hunter has been influenced by church and music from a young age by his family. His dad was in the Christian rock band Brother Brother and he’s been leading worship since he was 14. “The Voice” is his first time performing outside of church. Recently married, he records demos with his brother in his home studio. He lost his home, church and car after the Baton Rouge floods. He is currently living with his parents in Lafayette, helping repair the church in his spare time.

If you could share a conversation with a seed before it becomes a tree would you speak of its future fruit or would it be all things right now?

Royce, named after the Rolls-Royce luxury car, was raised in a Christian household and began singing in church where his mother led worship. He taught himself guitar, started writing music and got his first gig at a local pizza shop in the 11th grade. After high school, Royce got married and had two kids, all while chasing his dream to play music. While he's had some success, he's also had some ups and downs supporting his family financially. Royce comes to "The Voice" to show his kids that success isn't measured by money, but by living out your dream.

If you could share a conversation with a seed before it becomes a tree would you speak of its future fruit or would it be all things right now?