Opening week of season 21 of “The Voice” was a fruitful one for two Atlanta residents, Peedy Chavis and Gymani, who got the magic four-chair turn last Tuesday.
Chavis is an old-school rock and soul man while Gymani is pure R&B.
Peedy Chavis
Age: 19
Residence: Lawrenceville
Graduated: Brookwood High School in Snellville, 2020, where he was active in the theater program.
Opening song: “Heartbreak Hotel,” Elvis Presley
His inspiration: Elvis, of course. When Peedy was a toddler, his mom played him the 1968 Elvis comeback special and he was instantly mesmerized. He also loves Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Bread, Jim Croce, Stevie Wonder, the Doobie Brothers, James Brown, Chris Stapleton, John Mayer. (He credits YouTube for providing him access to such a wide variety of musical influences.)
Chair turns: John Legend, Blake Shelton
Coach comments: Blake loved his Elvis-type moves. “I appreciate Elvis. I’d be damned proud to be your coach.” Ariana Grande: “I was dancing in my seat. I’m sorry I didn’t turn. I wish there had been a little bit more of you in it.” John: “You were singing your butt off. You have tone. You have range. I’d love to bring this classic music to a new generation.”
Who Peedy chose as his coach: Blake
Why? “Blake resonated with me. It was a gut feeling. It’s been wonderful so far.”
Performance history: He has sung in little bars and restaurants in Lawrenceville and Athens like McCray’s Tavern and Boar’s Head Lounge but no large venues just yet.
Chances of winning: He faces some obstacles. His vintage stylings may not get him too far in the modern age, but he possesses good looks and pliable vocal skills. He hopes he can draw a coalition of younger and older viewers if he makes it to the voting round.
Gymani
Age: 23
Residence: East Point
Background: Mother of two girls, performs local gigs as a musician, certified eyelash technician
Origin of stage name: Merger of her sign (Gemini) and middle name (Imani).
Opening song: “POV” Ariana Grande
Inspirations: Jill Scott, Rihanna, Beyoncé, Aretha Franklin
Chair turns: All four coaches. Blake pressed his button first, followed immediately by Ariana. A few seconds later, John did. Kelly held back until Gymani was almost at the chorus.
Coach comments: Ariana: “That was phenomenal. There were so many alterations to the melody and I trusted every single one of them. I believe each and every one of them was intentional. I believe you are a messenger of emotion.” John: “You truly made it so much your own. I heard a little bit of Jill Scott.” Kelly: “I have no one on my team like you. I think you have an incredible ear [for picking songs.]... You did something a little different with it. That is strategically incredibly brilliant. Your voice is why the show exists.”
Choice of coach: Surprisingly, Gymani chose Kelly, not Ariana. Gymani said she sought guidance from God and He told her to pick Kelly. Plus, “you see how smart she is when it comes to song selection. It’s pivotal. She aces it every time. It was a no brainer. Team Kelly all day!” Still, she said Ariana’s compliment telling her she made the song her own was “the biggest honor.”
Her hopes for the future: “It’s a stepping stone. I want to be a full-time artist. I want to make music that heals and people like to listen to. I want to tour and I want to help people. I want to give back. I want to be an all-around mainstream artist.”
Chances of winning: Not bad. She was bold for taking on a song by one of the coaches. It doesn’t hurt having Kelly as her coach, as she noted, given Kelly’s smart strategizing when it comes to song selection. Gymani was given the last slot of the night Tuesday, a sign the producers like her. And she got turns from all four coaches. Her audition video has already received 3.1 million views in a week, almost triple that of Peedy. “It brings me joy to see people reacted the way they reacted,” she said.
ON TV
“The Voice,” 8 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays on NBC
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