Who will win ‘The Voice’?
Chris Kroeze, left, has the odds in his favor.
If you’re going to put money on which of the four finalists will win season 15 of NBC’s “The Voice,” the safe money says bet on country.
The question is, which kind of country?
Will it be Southern rock-influenced Chris Kroeze – the first finalist from Wisconsin in the show’s history?
Or Kirk Jay, a more modern countrypop artist who brings some much-needed diversity to a genre sorely lacking it?
Or Chevel Shepherd, the 16-year-old with impressive pipes seasoned with a Dolly Parton-style twang?
And just because country artists make up three-fourths of “The Voice” finalists, don’t count out R&B singer Kennedy Holmes.
So who’s going to win $100,000 and a recording contract with Universal Music Group? Ahead of the season’s final performances Monday (8 EST/PST), and Tuesday’s finale (9 EST/PST), we weigh their odds.
Chris Kroeze
Back story: The 27-year-old family man from Barron, Wisconsin — population 3,318 — has shown gradual improvement on coach Blake Shelton’s team since his blind audition.
What he’s got going for him: Shelton called Kroeze a “dark horse” in the competition, but it looks like he could win it all. He’s likable and humble, with an endearing back story (a small-town artist, he also has performed for troops overseas). He has bluesy guitar chops and a raspy voice, and in the past two weeks, he won a boost by having the most-streamed song on Apple Music among his competitors. He also has at least three times as many Facebook followers as his competitors. What’s going against him: Kroeze acknowledged in last week’s episode that he’s not the most animated live performer, and his voice, while rich, is the least flashy and versatile of the final four. And the kind of songs he has performed on the show — Garth Brooks’ “Callin’ Baton Rouge,” Marshall Tucker Band’s “Can’t You See” — aren’t exactly setting the charts on fire.
Odds of winning: 35 percent
Kirk Jay
Back story: Growing up poor in Alabama, Jay found solace through music, playing drums and singing in the choir at his church. He, too, is on Shelton’s team.
What he’s got going for him: Jay is the only country-leaning finalist this season who inspired all four judges to turn their chairs during the blind auditions. And his material fits right in with the sound of country radio right now.
What’s going against him: Jay’s strength in the early going could translate to less fiery fan enthusiasm than there might be for such artists as Kroeze and Shepherd, who hit their strides in recent episodes. And his latest live performance was his shakiest – a terrible time to lose steam. If his performances in the finals are that shaky, it could sink him. Odds of winning: 33 percent
Chevel Shepherd
Back story: Benefiting from Kelly Clarkson’s mentorship – she knows a thing or three about winning reality-TV singing competitions – 16-year-old Shepherd, from New Mexico, has drawn comparisons to Loretta Lynn.
What she’s got going for her: Shepherd peaked at the perfect moment in last week’s semifinals, blowing away the judges and viewers with a cover of LeAnn Rimes’ “Blue,” complete with yearning, yo-yo yodel. Clarkson also is the reigning champion among the coaches; she guided another teen singer, Brynn Cartelli, to victory last season.
What’s going against her: Like Kroeze, Shepherd’s traditional country tastes may not be mainstream enough, or loved enough by the young fan base that propelled a pop-leaning artist such as Cartelli to win. Odds of winning: 14 percent
Kennedy Holmes
Back story: The powerhouse vocalist from St. Louis – who’s just 14 – sang Jennifer Hudson’s “I Am Changing” at her first public performance. Now Hudson is her coach on “The Voice.” What she’s got going for her: She’s not a country artist, so Holmes stands out there. She’s also the most dynamic performer of the final four.
What’s going against her: Cartelli was the youngest person to ever win “The Voice”; it’s hard to fathom that record being broken so soon. Plus, Holmes had the least number of votes last week.
Odds of winning: 18 percent