Clarksville, TN – Austin Peay State University (APSU) former student Calvin E. Lockett has joined Gwen Stefani’s team on NBC’s hit singing competition “The Voice.”
Lockett, age 25, wowed the judges as he sang the Temptations’ classic “Just My Imagination” during the September 30th airing of the show. Judges Blake Shelton, John Legend and Stefani hit their buzzers seconds into the song during the blind audition.
“I’m so glad you’re on this show because your voice is so good, it’s so relaxing,” Stefani said. “I’m a fan of you.”
Legend added, “What I loved about your version, it was so subtle, so in control, and your tone, I haven’t really heard anyone sound like you before.
“It was really a masterful performance.”
Shelton agreed: “I can’t think of anybody else who sounds like this guy.”
Shelton assumed Lockett was going to pick Legend’s team and told Legend, “I hope that when this season is over with that you make a record on that guy right there because I can guarantee you you’ll go on to be a star and have a hit album.”
Judge Kelly Clarkson asked Lockett what kind of record he wanted to make.
“I think the kind of music I make is singer-songwriter, R&B,” Lockett said. “This is a mind-blowing experience, I’m just kind of shaking right now.”
Lockett is the son of Lynnita and Calvin Lockett, pastors at Christ The Healer Church in Clarksville. They were stageside during the audition.
Lockett said he sang his first solo at church when he was 13. Lockett’s bio at nbc.com/the-voice says he started writing music with like-minded artists in college.
“Winning ‘The Voice’ would mean a lot, it would mean a lot to my family,” he said after his audition. “For my family and back home, it would mean a lot.”
Lockett currently lives in Durham, North Carolina.
