by Gina Scarpa

 

The Voice always introduces us to a wide range of contestants, from those who have been trying to make it in the music industry for years to those who are just getting their first crack at it. James Massone grew up in Boston, works at his father's auto body shop, and only sang for friends or family. After braving the blind audition round, he was chosen by Cee-Lo, won the battle round against Wade, and now awaits the live shows. We talked to James today in an exclusive interview to learn more about the surreal experience of making it on The Voice.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: How did you end up trying out for The Voice this season?
A. James: A cousin of mine signed me up for the show back in maybe June. I was in L.A. at the time. My mother was in Boston and I wanted her to come visit me. The only way that she would come visit me was if I tried out for the show. I didn't think she was actually going to make me do it. I tried out for the big cattle call and here I am! I went through a bunch of auditions before the blind.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What was your singing and performance experience prior to being on the show?
A. James: I would sing to the girls and that's about it. It was just kind of like a talent that I had. I would do it with my friends and mess around. I worked in a body shop with my father. That's not how I made my money.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: So did it intimidate you that you were going up against people with years of professional experience?
A. James: Yeah, that was killing me. I had no experience. I have a good stage presence and I can perform, you know? I've been watching Michael Jackson since I was a kid. I didn't even think I'd make it past the blind auditions and now I made it to the live shows.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Was choosing your blind audition song a tough process?
A. James: Everyone asks me why I picked that song. The show picks it. They give you a bunch of songs, like 120 songs and you number from 1-30 what you can do the best. I just had to work with what I had.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: You got very emotional at the end of your blind audition. What was going through your head?
A. James: ‘Cause I thought I was just going to do the song, get off the stage, and go home. I didn't think for a second that they would actually turn. I was the fourth person to go out of the whole competition. I watched the first three people go and they didn't make it. I was like, "I'll do it and no one's gonna turn. I'll just go home." It's not that I don't have confidence in myself but there was so much talent.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Tell us a little about how you felt about the battle round and going up against Wade.
A. James: The battle round is THE worst stage that you have to go through. It's so stressful, knowing who you have to go against. Not only that, but you're really good friends with the people on your team and you have to sing against them. Going into that, it was stressful and nerve-wracking. I know Wade is a very good singer but I needed to outperform him. I kind of did what I needed to do.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: You must be very excited for the live shows, which start tonight.
A. James: Yeah, of course! This is the biggest thing I've ever done in my life, coming from Boston. I never did anything this big! And to be live and how popular The Voice is, it's definitely nerve-wracking.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What do you want to say to your fans and fans of The Voice?
A. James: I love my fans! I love all of them. It's so crazy. If you're not a fan of me, still watch the show. And if you can, please vote for me!

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What is it like to be an average guy from a pretty humble background and now, be on The Voice and sing for million of people?
A. James: It's something you dream about your whole life so it's not real to me right now. I'm trying to just take everything in. I don't know how long it'll last.

 

The Voice airs Mondays at 8/7c on NBC.

 

(Image courtesy of NBC)

 

Follow Gina @ginascarpa and "Like" her on Facebook!