Allison Ericson, Valdosta Today News Director:
VALDOSTA — Bay Brooks, 17-year-old, Valdosta native and Zacadoo’s fanatic returned home Thursday to share her journey on becoming a contestant on NBC’s The Voice.
Brooks was born and raised in Valdosta but transferred to Nashville, TN six months ago to launch her career as a musician. In this year’s season of the show Brooks joined country singer, Blake Shelton’s team.
“I didn’t know what to expect going into it, so stepping on the stage I was like I’m not supposed to be here, I’m supposed to be watching this on my TV,” Brooks said. “It was the most terrifying and exciting thing I’ve ever done.”
At the time of Brooks blind audition all of the coaches teams were full except for Shelton’s which had two available spots. Brooks said she was beyond thrilled to fill a spot on Blake’s team and that her teammates immediately felt like family to her.
“Blake, he is so lovable, so genuine, the first time I met him I felt like I had already known him forever just because he’s that kind of guy,” Brooks said. “All 48 of us are a big family, but Team Blake for sure. One of my very best friends ever, in the world, is Jacob Rummel, he’s on my team and another she’s like my little sister, Kelsie May, but really we are a big family and it’s great.”
Although Brooks classifies herself more as an indie-pop singer, she said she is not opposed to singing country due to her deep southern Georgia roots.
“I used to do more indie-folk music, so you could really tell the country roots…I think now I’m going more towards indie-pop from indie-folk.”
Brooks shared that the most influential artists in her life are; Ed Sheeran, Meghan Trainor, Florence Welch and Colbie Caillet.
Lucky for Brooks, Trainor became her celebrity adviser for The Voice’s Battle Rounds. Brooks shared that Trainor was an inspiration to her because she too was a song writer and started out in Nashville.
“She is so down to earth, she could be sitting in this room, having this conversation right now and she’d cut up, she is so great,” Brooks said about Trainor.
For viewers, the most nerve-racking moment on The Voice is waiting for the judges to turn their chairs around. For Brooks, that moment came a little later than she expected.
Brooks said, “I had this one big part in my song and I was like if anyone turns it’s going to be at this point. Going into it I didn’t know Blake was the only one with a team left, I did the big note, he waited a little bit and then turned around, because it’s TV, it’s drama and everybody is so picky. When i saw him turn it was a mix of all those terrifying and exciting feelings but I honestly felt like I was in a dream, I didn’t know what to do with myself, I couldn’t breathe, and I was freaking out.”
Returning home to Valdosta was no vacation for the singer, she spent her time visiting local schools, talking on the radio, interviewing, and playing music. Although Brooks kept busy, returning home made her realize just how much support she has from her community.
“I think the biggest thing that I want people to know is that I expected to get support and love just because my friends and family are here, but i am so thankful and it has been such a blessing to get this much support from all over.”
