Every reality competition show needs a feisty contestant to keep things interesting. “The Voice” Season 5 may have found their outspoken artist in Team Blake’s Shelbie Z.
The Alabama native made it clear that she has a plan for her future on the show.
In a conference call with reporters on Tuesday afternoon, Shelbie said she did not want to be compared to Season 4 winner Danielle Bradbery.
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“I do believe I have something a little different because I think that the difference between me and Danielle is that she is more mainstream pop country and I’m more outlaw old school country,” Shelbie explained to reporters. “I think that there has really not been a country singer like me on ‘The Voice’ before as far as my style goes. So I think that, that is really what is going to give me some flavor this year to push on and push through.”
Shelbie also made it clear she is not a fan of the current state of country music which continues to skew more towards pop music.
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“I honestly believe that country needs to go back to its roots,” she mused. “It needs to get back to the Hank Williams Jr. you know Loretta Lynn, Tammy Wynette days where country music was country music and [told] a story. It’s not just throwing a song together, ‘Oh, I have got to have a hit song. I gotta throw this out there.’ I think it’s a little more about telling a story and letting people into your lives and writing songs to where people can communicate and can feel with you and can relate to things.”
Shelbie said she will do everything possible to stay true to her outlaw country style, although, she has yet to talk it over with coach Blake.
“I haven’t really had a chance to tell him about my passion for country and how I feel of what direction I want to take my career in country music too,” she said.
She is, however, a huge fan of her mentor.
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When asked how she felt about artist Briana Cuoco joining team Blake rather than Team CeeLo after they both pushed the steal button from Christina Aguilera, Shelbie was quick to defend Briana’s choice.
“Honestly I think she did pick a great team, not just because I’m from Team Blake! I really think that she did make a great decision because he can really help her vocally on the things that she either needs to work on or has confusion about. I think Blake is a great and awesome coach to do that because he really helps you comprehend what he is saying real easy. I really think that he is just a wonderful mentor in that way.”
“The Voice” airs Mondays and Tuesdays at 8 PM ET/PT on NBC.
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