Are you ready for The Voice Battle Rounds? We hope so, because fans of the hit music competition will get a chance to see Hunter Plake vs. Jack Cassidy go head to head tonight, during the Battle Rounds. Audiences have noticed that Voice judge, Alicia Keys has been very selective with who she wants on her team, as opposed to her fellow judge Adam Levine, who’s chair hadn’t stopped spinning since the Blind Auditions!
If you’re interested in learning about Hunter Plake on The Voice or Jack Cassidy on The Voice, then you came to the right place. Both contestants are extremely talented, and though Alicia Keys has been super choosy this season with who she selects for her team, she definitely sees potential in both of these artists. Plake and Cassidy will go head to head tonight as they battle it out “duet-style” for the chance to move forward in the competition.
Hunter Plake’s Voice Performance
Plake came on stage during the Blind Auditions and sang a rendition of “Carry On” by Fun and instantly impressed Voice judge and singer, Gwen Stefani. But even though she turned her chair around first, it was Keys who Plake chose as his coach. (Go Team Alicia!) Plake, 20, grew up in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and lost his home during the events of Hurricane Katrina. According to his NBC profile, he is recently married and records demos with his brother in his home studio. He currently lives with his parents in Lafayette and helps repair the town’s church in his spare time. His father was in the Christian rock band, Brother Brother. The Voice is his first time performing outside of the church.
Plake may not be used to singing in front of a large audience, but he did surprisingly well in front of the judges for the first time. Stefani had no doubt in her mind that he had talent, but ultimately Keys scooped him up to her side.
Photo by: Tyler Golden/NBC
Also Read: Casi Joy vs. Ashley Levin on “The Voice” 2017
Jack Cassidy’s Voice Performance
Jack, 18, is from Westlake Village, California and is the son of Patrick Cassidy and actress Melissa Hurley, and he is also the grandson of The Partridge Family alum, Shirley Jones. But the legacy of the Partridge Family isn’t what got him the attention of the judges or what won them over. It’s not uncommon for children or relatives of celebrities to compete in music competitions—it is Hollywood after all! But Jack made it all by himself and his cover of Joan Osborne’s “One of Us” is what made Stefani and Keys turn their chairs around. Ultimately, Keys was thrilled that he was playing on the keyboard, which led to a few cheesy keyboard jokes by the resident “dad” of the judges, Blake Shelton. The beauty of the Blind Auditions is that the judges have no idea who you are, so you can perform without your family name. Being connected to entertainers in the business can often open doors, but it can also have you questioning your own talent, too. The Voice provides a stage where contestants are judged solely on their talent, not their name, popularity, or appearance.
Photo by: Paul Drinkwater/NBC
“I love that the coaches don’t know my name, they don’t know anything about me,” said Cassidy in an Entertainment Tonight interview. “They’re just judging me purely on the merit of my voice.”
His grandmother, Shirley Jones wasn’t supportive at first and wanted Jack to stay far away from show business, but she eventually came around.
“In the beginning, I was not very happy with him going into show business,” Jones admitted. “But, when I saw him sit down at a piano, I didn’t even know he could play the piano. Then he started to sing, and I thought, ‘You know what? This is a voice that’s really remarkable.’”
The “Keys” to Success
When it comes to all things “keys,” there’s no one better than producer and singer DJ Khaled, who is Team Alicia’s celebrity adviser this season.
“I feel like it’s so incredible to have the diversity that I’m able to bring to the show, especially through Khaled,” said Alicia Keys. “I feel like there’s so many ways to look at music, there’s so many ways to create. It’s not just about being a great performer, it’s about being a personality and for the energy that you bring to come out. And I think that is what Khaled does very naturally.”
It’s anyone’s guess who will win the Battle Rounds between these two amazing talents, and so far the song is a surprise. What could they be singing?
Watch The Voice on Mondays and Tuesdays at 8:00 p.m. on NBC!
