'The Voice' top 4: 'I Swear' that Montgomery's Kirk Jay is in the finals
Bay Minette native was first of the top four to be announced as safe Tuesday
Shannon Heupel
He's in the top four!
Montgomery resident country singer Kirk Jay will move on to next week’s finals on NBC’s "The Voice,” performing in another live show on Monday. After America votes that night, the season 15 champion will be announced live Tuesday.
The Bay Minette native was the first declared as safe during Tuesday's results show.
So what does moving one step closer to winning it all mean to Jay? Show host Carson Daly asked him that Tuesday.
"It would mean everything. I feel like I'm one step closer to all my dreams coming true," Jay replied. "I just want to continue to showcase that country music is my life, and I want to showcase that going into the finale."
Jay closed out Monday’s semifinal live performance episode with John Michael Montgomery’s hit song “I Swear.”
“Kirk has established himself as a country balladeer with a pop flair,” said celebrity coach Blake Shelton on Monday’s show. “This song is the first actual pop-ish song I remember ever hearing on country radio. I just feel like this song couldn’t be more appropriate for Kirk.”
Jay said being on this show wouldn’t have been possible without his supporters. “I feel like it’s not even about me no more, man,” Jay said. “I just want to make them proud.”
He’s definitely succeeded in that with Shelton.
“I could not be more proud of you, Kirk,” Shelton said Monday. “I’m so happy for you. You deserve this, man.”
Other coaches offered words of encouragement to Jay in Monday’s episode.
“Once this season is over, one of the things I’m going to miss the most is watching you sing every week,” said Jennifer Hudson, who has repeatedly said she’s Jay’s biggest fan.
“I think you’re so awesome because of the distinct tone of your voice,” Adam Levine said. “It’s so distinct. You just know when it’s you. I’ll say it until I’m blue in the face. That’s one of the most important things about being a singer, the identifiability of your voice.”
Jay dedicated the night’s performance to Courtney Pruitt, who is battling leukemia. She’s the daughter of Montgomery City Councilman Glen Pruitt.
“Being able to sing in front of America every week is special for me, because I’m here because of people like Courtney,” Jay said.
It was an especially satisfying night for Jay's Team Blake on Tuesday. His other teammate Chris Kroeze was also picked as safe by America's vote.
"Both of these guys literally leave it out there on the table. They don't hold back," Shelton said Tuesday, describing Jay and Kroeze's takes on country music. "They're in two different lanes, I feel like. But they give an equal amount of themselves to every performance."
After a sing-off and Twitter vote at the end of Tuesday's show, Kennedy Holmes of Hudson's team was saved into the top four.
Che-Kirk duet
Along with the solos, each of the 8 finalists were paired off Monday to sing duets.
Dubbing themselves Che-Kirk, Jay and Chevel Shepherd (who also made the top four) performed a country duet blend of Jason Aldean’s “She’s Country” and Brantley Gilbert’s “Country Must Be Country Wide.”
After the song, the public was asked to send out #ChevelKirkDuet in Tweets, which would add to votes for both.
“Kirk, every song he sings he makes it his own,” Shepherd said.
That’s even true for yodeling, apparently.
On Monday’s intro for their duet, Jay got a lesson in yodeling from 16-year-old Shepherd of New Mexico, who is an expert and has used it in her solo performances.
“Why are you laughing, Chevel?” Jay asked, after singing something yodel-like.
Jay praised his partner’s talents. “She’s ready for country music right now,” Jay said.
THE VOICE TOP 4
TEAM KELLY
Chevel Shepherd
TEAM JHUD
Kennedy Holmes
TEAM BLAKE
Kirk Jay
Chris Kroeze