Idol Chatter & Voice Views

His audition: Justin Blake, 20, of Savannah, Tenn., auditioned with Blake Shelton’s “Sure Be Cool If You Did.” Adam Levine turned around very early in the performance, but turned out to be the only coach who did. He called Justin “a great country singer.”

Background: Justin’s full-time job is as an escort driver. That means he drives behind over-sized loads, making sure everyone keeps a safe distance away. He says he feels fortunate to have a job in this economy, but says the pay isn’t great and he fears it won’t be enough to support the baby he and his girlfriend are about to have. That’s why he’s hoping for a brighter future in music. A country singer, Justin says he’s been told he has a distinct sound. He thinks that’s because he sings from his heart.

On picking Adam: Justin didn’t have a choice, but said there was no guarantee he would have picked Blake if the show’s country coach had turned his chair. Even if more coaches had turned around “I probably would have picked Adam. I have a great coach.”

Quote: Talking about what might have happened if all the coaches had turned around, Justin pointed to the design embroidered into his shirt. “Cee Lo — he’s got this design on his head. I might have picked him, you know.”

What the show didn’t show:  Justin said he can do much better than he sounded during his blind audition. “My first line and a half of my song was great. Then Adam turned around, and I couldn’t sing anymore. I mean, I made it through the song, but I know the performance, after he turned around, was terrible. But part of me was like, ‘Hey, buddy, you turned around. You can’t turn back around.'” Still, he said he’s anxious to show Adam he can do better. Like most of The Voice contestants, Justin would love to make a career at music. “The only time that I have peace is when I get in a room somewhere and just play my guitar and sing.”

Keeping up with Justin: Facebook.

For profiles of other Season 5 contestants, go here.