Country Music and The Voice

(Copyright @ 2013 by Chester B Cabalza. All Rights Reserved.) 

The Dutch started it all. From The Voice short history, the concept was originally based from The Voice of Holland. But I must confess, I became a late bloomer fan of The Voice American franchise, simply of its fast paced format, exceptional artists, and commendable coaches.

I was hooked up to this singing reality show when it aired its third season. But in my view, the newly ended season remains the best season yet, affirmed himself by top-rated coach Blake Shelton, in one of his quirky comments during the final performances of the artists.  

The Voice is a search for the greatest voice per season. A winner will be proclaimed based from a distinct voice chosen for his or her richness in musicality and popularity depending on the social media results after a series of battle rounds to be trained by competent mentors.

Interestingly, the blind auditions is a refreshing format where coaches ‘listen’ to the voice of artist/s behind their famous red chairs and has the freewill to press the button if they wish to mentor a certain artist with the “I want you” signal illuminating at the bottom of the chair. The artist/s will have to select a mentor who has turned to them or willingly faced them during or before the song ends while performing their chosen genre music.    

It made me appreciate most the fourth season mainly because of better coaches like Blake Shelton, Adam Levine including newly added judging panelists Shakira and Usher. Previously, Christina Aguilera and Cee Lo Green mentored artists from seasons one to three. But Blake obviously can be proclaimed the best mentor among the judges for having the record-breaking winning artists, but with one standout artist from Team Adam who won in its first season.

Suddenly winning music genres the US version produces comes from country music. As Shakira herself gushes with disbelief of its popularity and being a Latina with distinctly known musicality wants to like the genre. It’s no wonder that winning artists Cassadee Pope and Daniel Bradberry in recently concluded seasons were competently mentored by judge Shelton, a country singer himself.

The Voice in the US is a successful reality singing contest that inevitably and eventually has a niche for global market which showcases a uniquely country music as previously seen from its winners in the last two seasons. Although, I see diversity of genres performed by talented artists and based from the backgrounds of its coaches.

Still, my curiosity elevates me in awe of why country music? This American popular music consisting of ballads and dance tunes originating from rural regions of southern United States is becoming the ‘it’ and most listened genre in music billboards. Admittedly though, I only knew very few popular country singers like Shania Twain, American Idol Carrie Underwood, and award winning Taylor Swift.

I myself am not a fan of American country music; I'd rather listen to or yet am most delighted to listen to rock, R&B, alternative and a bit of K-pop. Still, am wondering of sudden click of country music in American music scene; now with lots of variants of inspiration from pop, gospel and rock country music. It could be possible, as an avid watcher of The Voice myself, that the prominence of country music could be a cultural phenomenon for the Americans again. Love thy own music! or anti-pop for pop divas who turned least liked artists now as they continuously transform and evolve in their crafts.

This month, The Voice of the Philippines premiered on Philippine TV. The contracted coaches appeared credible and meritorious based from the accolades they are receiving locally and abroad. The panel of judges includes Lea Salonga, Bamboo Manalac, Sarah Geronimo and Apl.de.Ap. 

The local version certainly adds its own Pinoy flavor in packaging the content of the reality show, however, with tight stage for the production during the blind auditions.  As observed, Filipino coaches Lea Salonga and Apl.de.Ap, both having prolific discography and international fame as artists, are giving more constructive criticisms to the aspiring artists than the two other mentors. Both are also ecstatic or perhaps overacting shown in their gestures during the show. 

If the US version of The Voice proudly floats its winning country singers as a signature of their proud local musicality, I hope The Voice of the Philippines will present its own signature Original Pilipino Music (OPM) in a grand manner;  ideally to showcase the unique sound of music that should prevail in our own local music industry. 

Enough with high-belting voices since we have produced quite many of them in the past, the likes of Charice and Arnel Pineda. Am proud of them by the way. But let's figure it out what kind of musicality our artists should showcase, having known for our own world-class Filipino talent. Am sure there are more talented artists out there. Remember, our country is blessed with much talent, artistry, and creativity.