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Jaeden Luke has been on an emotional roller coaster in the ninth episode of “The Voice.”
The Bothell-born and raised singer-songwriter just lost a singing contest to fellow contestant Bodie and was dropped from their “Voice” team by coach Blake Shelton. But then judges Camila Cabello and Gwen Stefani didn’t get knocked out entirely, using their steals to keep Luke on the show. After much deliberation, Luke finally chose Cabello as his new coach.
Luke is understandably happy to be rescued by Cabello. More notably, prior to this season, the talented 22-year-old was initially not interested in appearing on NBC’s “The Voice” or any other televised singing competition.
“To be honest, I never thought singing shows were my thing. I wasn’t very interested in them,” Luke told The Seattle Times by phone.
Luke’s competitive journey on “The Voice” began when he received an email from a cast member for the show who had watched him perform on YouTube. After submitting a video of him singing Jeremy Passion’s “Lemonade,” Luke almost forgot about it.
When Luke got a call a few months later inviting him to audition for the camera in Los Angeles, he was immediately reminded of his efforts. There, he sang Bread’s “Make It With You,” which prompted judges Sheldon and John Legend to turn for him.
“Walking in, I just wanted to turn a chair. Because I’ve been working really hard as a singer. I’ve been waiting and praying for platforms and opportunities like this so America can hear my singing,” Luke said. “It turns out that I can do more than just make a chair turn. So going deeper into the game is really cool and beyond my dreams.”
Luke first started playing guitar when he was 9 years old. Inspired by the music of The Beatles, John Mayer, Ed Sheehan, Sam Cook and Ray Charles, Luke soon decided to try his hand at writing and singing his own songs.
“I’ve always just loved writing and had something to say. So I just put it all together and made it happen.”
Luke even remembers the name of the first song he wrote, titled “Where Am I,” transcribed after the death of a friend of his at church. “I sang that song at his funeral. That was a big moment for me because it was the first time I saw something I created could make a difference. It inspired me to be a songwriter .”
Soon Luke was playing in local East Seattle locations such as Bothell, Kirkland, Woodinville and Bellevue.
“As soon as I got out of high school, I started playing as much as I could,” Luke said. “I knew I didn’t want to do anything else. The entire East Side of Seattle is a great place for the singer-songwriter and acoustic scene. I’m so grateful that I was able to work there, and now I can support myself working full-time. It’s so cool.”
Luke’s appearance on “The Voice” has already had a huge impact on his career. Not only have sales of his previous work (including his “Anywhere” EP recorded at Bear Creek Studios in Woodinville) have grown exponentially, but people have been sending him messages detailing how much his music has influenced them .
“I’m very humbled to be in this position,” said Luke, who, despite his initial apprehension about the singing competition, is now fully aware of the power they hold. “It just gave you such a platform that you wouldn’t have otherwise. I just sang in my bedroom and at local gigs. Now all of a sudden my heart is being heard all over America. It’s the coolest thing.”
Win or lose, though, Luke just hopes his experience on The Voice will give him the chance to fulfill his lifelong dreams and ambitions.
“I just want a career in music. I want to be a songwriter and get my songs heard and tour and play around the world. What level would that be? I don’t know. I’m going to keep going and hopefully Use that as a stepping stone. I’m just trying to be the best version of myself and hopefully have a lasting career.”
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