December 22, 2024 • 19 mins
Thank you for being part of the conversation. This is Play It Forward. Real people. Real stories. The struggle to Play It Forward. Episode 642 with Sofronio Vasquez winner of NBC’s The Voice season 26. After several weeks of Blind Auditions, Battles, Knockouts, Playoffs, and Live Performance Shows, The Voice Season 26 Finale happened. Dozens of singers across four Coach teams were whittled down to just five finalists: Danny Joseph from Reba McEntire's team, Jeremy Beloate from Snoop Dogg's team, Sofronio Vasquez from Michael Bublé's team, Sydney Sterlace from Gwen Stefani's team, and Shye, also from Team Bublé. After singing their hearts out one last time in the December 9 episode, America sent in their votes. The results were revealed on live TV-and one Artist's life was changed forever. So, who won The Voice Season 26? Sofronio Vasquez won The Voice Season 26! Shye took second place. Sydney Sterlace took third place. Danny Joseph took fourth place. Jeremy Beloate took fifth place. Before the winner was announced, fans were treated to a star-studded Finale episode. Not only did all the Artists in the Top 5 perform duets with their respective Coaches, some of your favorite singers like Dan + Shay, Kelly Clarkson, and Sting also took the stage. Season 26 has been a rollercoaster, with two new Coaches, Michael Bublé and Snoop Dogg, entering the fold. "My strategy was to look, listen and learn," Snoop Dogg said about his first day of Blind Auditions. "First of all, I'm glad they didn't make me go first [during Blinds]. They made me go, like, second or third, so I was able to watch the other Coaches and see some of the things that they did. And then once I understood that, I could add some Snoop-ism to the situation, as far as my conversation and my lingo, to the Artist to try to get them to come home." Bublé said about the Blind Auditions experience, "Honestly, it's not what I'm best at. It's hard to advocate for yourself in that way. And when I did, I tried to do it with humor, to be self-deprecating and to hope that you could break down barriers that way. It would have been harder for me, I think in other seasons where there was a different energy, like more of an edge of Coaches kind of fighting each other. But I was trying to be genuine, to tell people that I might be able to help them, and use humor, again, just to break down those walls. Because my dad always said: If you're good, you don't have to tell people."
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hey, thanks for being a part of the conversation. This
(00:01):
is played forward, Real people, Real stories. The Struggle to
Play It Forward. Episode number six forty two is with
Sofronio Vesquez, winner of NBC's The Voice, season number twenty six.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Oh my gosh, Hey, IROs nice. I saw too again. Man,
Oh my god.
Speaker 1 (00:16):
I mean it was one of those moments when you
and I sat down and we had an honest to
god one on one and I just felt like in
the moment, there was like, you know, this guy is
gonna go well beyond what we're talking about right now.
Speaker 2 (00:28):
My god, are you serious? That's having But thank you,
Thank you so much.
Speaker 1 (00:35):
Has it sunk in yet? I mean, I mean, I mean,
when you win something this big, I mean you look
at yourself in the mirror and you're going, I think
it happened. I dude, I really think it happened.
Speaker 2 (00:44):
Yeah, probably it did. But I would always remind myself like, yeah,
I won, because it's not like I was in I
was at the airport yesterday and I was walking and
people would, I mean a few people would start being like, hey,
is that so from you? And it's really weird, honestly,
in a good way because I was just before I
would travel and no one would notice me. And now
(01:06):
I think people are a little aware of from my
name and it's so sweet, but it's crazy. It's crazy.
Speaker 1 (01:15):
Do you have to now put the focus on Okay,
so when I go back into that dentist office, they're
going to recognize me. How are we going to make
this about the patient and not necessarily about the singer.
Speaker 2 (01:27):
Well, that's gonna be that's gonna be crazy. But I
think I have to decide to just put aside my
dental work for now because I want to focus more
with music. But I mean, whether whether I make it
or not a music, I still have my dental career waiting.
So yeah.
Speaker 1 (01:48):
But see the thing about it is that I believe
inside my heart that you know people because you deal
with people one on one in the way that you do.
And it's like, I cannot wait to watch you create
music because once again you know, oh people.
Speaker 2 (02:02):
Yeah, I think you're all right, Eric Aro. Having to
work with people personally, like like up close, up close,
it also helped you know how to access emotions. And
I believe I had a very good amount of challenges
in life that would really equip me that can be
(02:25):
used in music. So hopefully I get on to be
the like on the on the studio and work with
my stuff and yeah, just people Dutch people's hearts with music.
Speaker 1 (02:38):
One of the things that I've always dreamed about when
it comes to NBC's The Voice is I want I
would love to see a collaboration between the great set
up here on each season, was there somebody that you
thought to yourself, I would like to collaborate with this person?
Speaker 2 (02:52):
Oh yeah, I was clearly thinking. One goal for me
is to just be in the finale and have collaboration
performance with my coach Michael Buble and your dream. I
mean I would always tell this to everyone, like I
think I want already before I won.
Speaker 1 (03:09):
There's nothing wrong with that. If if you can't envision it,
then then it's not gonna happen. You've got to be
able to live it and feel it well before it's written.
Speaker 2 (03:16):
Yeah, you're right. I mean I was always manifesting this
thing that every time I would I would see no
like a good good angel numbers from sent from wherever universe.
I would always manifest myself like the winner of the
Voice is throwing you basket. So I always hear Carlon
(03:37):
Daily's voice on my head. I fire really made it possible.
Speaker 1 (03:43):
What are your angel numbers? Mine are one one, one one.
I have to have four ones. What are your angel numbers?
Speaker 2 (03:49):
Oh my gosh, are you serious? Mine is eleven eleven? Really?
Speaker 1 (03:54):
Oh my god? I mean, and then when it happens
on the clock every single day, you can't help us
sit there and say thanks you. I'm here too, I'm here,
I'm present.
Speaker 2 (04:03):
It's really really weird arrow, you know what. For some reason,
every time or everywhere that specific number would always like
me catching it. I mean, I don't always check through eleven,
but every time there's a random number tick, oh what okay,
you're giving me another sign. So okay, yeah it's eleven eleven.
Speaker 1 (04:25):
But see, But to me, it brings a tremendous amount
of peace to the soul though, which to a creative
mind is is well needed because we can't turn this
stuff off. We just got to keep creating. And we
see something like an angel number and it's like, okay,
I can breathe for a moment.
Speaker 2 (04:39):
Yeah, it's like it's like a moment for for you. Yeah,
And to just leave that Okay, you're a person, you're giving,
or you're you're you're whatever, your God, you're you're part
of the universe or whatever power up above you're sending
me this mentioned like Cay Sofron you I'm here, Just dream,
just move forward.
Speaker 1 (04:58):
So yeah, so I love the fact that you went
into this with a strategy. How did you sit down
and break this down? Because I call it defragging? What
what did what did you do to create this strategy?
Speaker 2 (05:11):
Hmm? So my strategy was a wait, do I have
a strategy? No? Yeah, I think the strategy is just
be be be performing like one hundred percent every time
I hold the phone, whether on camera camera, because people
will just see me on stage, and I think Michael
(05:35):
bublay also watches watches our performances from the rehearsals, So
even then you're going to do on stage, you have
to put a mark on Michael Bublaz's mind that this
guy can really sing, even in the rehearsals. So every
time I hold the phones, it's not it's not I think.
(05:57):
I think I'm not allowed to this, but probably some
contestants would do like I'm not gonna be singing this
full out off camera because like it's not stage, but
I'm not that person. Every time I hold the camera,
I mean every time I hold phone or microphone, I
would do it perfectly the way that I would do
it on stage and hopefully be a better version on
(06:19):
that day itself, so that it would stick to Michael
Bublaze like this man can really sing.
Speaker 1 (06:25):
See I'm totally with Michael Boublay on this because that's
the way that I created a strategy in martial arts.
The way that I would watch those students be in
that DOJNG and how they acted in class I knew
that when it was tournament time and we went to
that tournament, I knew they would do what they did
in that classroom, and that's how I was able to
win the medals that I did exactly.
Speaker 2 (06:43):
I mean also adding to my strategy now that I've
talked to you and that I'm able to just speak
it for you because you're the first one to ask
me about strategy. I think if I am given this
song like specifically another like for that round, all the
versions ever recorded, whether it's TikTok, YouTube, Apple Music, Spotify,
(07:08):
I would clearly hear it and pick and I would
pick definite spots or like parts of like, oh I
like this front, I like this flare, I like this
build up, and they put it on like one version.
Speaker 1 (07:21):
So yeah, I'm with you on that in the way,
because I mean every time that I go to a
Spotify or I go to iHeartRadio or any other streaming place,
the music always sounds different. What can I do to
where it sounds the same no matter where you find
my song?
Speaker 2 (07:35):
Exactly? Yeah, music relative because music is art and art
is just limited. People would tell you how to that
and it's clearly like it you can out of you.
You have to read. I have I have a lyrics
printed to me, and then I would clearly this this
(07:56):
part I would I would backphrase this part. I would breathe,
so I would go back to the real basic and
just yeah, just study the piece there.
Speaker 1 (08:07):
So are you like me in the way that when
you do see those lyrics, that you put marks on
that page in a way that's extend this note, bend
this note, breathe here.
Speaker 2 (08:17):
I have a whole pile of it. I mean I
saved it because I'm that sentimental and I'll forever keep
those ones. But I would have all those markings like
I would do crazy circles and then flares and then
like my own that if I would that I would
(08:37):
understand in a way that I would understand those those marks. Well.
Speaker 1 (08:42):
See, I didn't get to keep mine because my engineer
Charles Holloman and Alan Talbot would always take my notes
because they because I would draw on them, I would
do everything to them, and they wanted to have it
because because you know, being an artist doesn't mean that
you're just putting your vocals out there. It's about all
that energy comes out of you at once.
Speaker 2 (08:59):
Yeah, I mean it's part of it's part of your artistry.
So yeah, my notes are still with being. I'm going
to be keeping it.
Speaker 1 (09:09):
So what did you learn from all of this? Because
when you stepped on that stage for the very first time,
compared to who you are today, what's one lesson that
you took from this?
Speaker 2 (09:19):
Wow? I O, you're just throwing so good questions. But
I think the biggest lesson is to just, uh, keep
the faith. You don't have the power or whatever happens
or what what's going to happen, but just you have
(09:39):
to keep the faith and be reminded that you are special.
Speaker 1 (09:44):
Was there around that you enjoyed better than the other.
Because I mean to go from the blinds to the
battles to the knockouts. To me, I can't imagine what
you felt like. Did you feel like a quarterback that's
you know that that everybody was coming at you to,
you know, to sack the quarterback?
Speaker 2 (09:59):
I really don't. I don't think I have in mind,
but I think, yeah, I don't know. Weird.
Speaker 1 (10:12):
So do you build a studio now in your house
and start dropping vocal tracks?
Speaker 2 (10:18):
I'm not the techi person, you know. I don't know.
I mean, I just can I just can wait that
I would be able to work with people, and yeah,
I ask them to help you with music because if if,
if you want to ask me, I don't know how
to read notes. I don't know how to play guitars
or an instrument. I just play it by my soul
(10:40):
in my heart. All I know is I can sing,
and this is my gift and this is my instrument.
Speaker 1 (10:44):
So yeah, no, I totally get that. Because when it
comes to music, you know, playing guitar or drums and
stuff like that, I always look at it as being
somebody needs a job today. You're going to be my
guitarist and you're going to get paid. Congratulations, you're employed.
So then how do you how do you now now
digest this? Are you keeping a journal? Because you know
(11:06):
how life is, things are moving so quickly that yeah,
you know, it's like when I was up for Casey
casem on American Top forty. That was way back in
the nineteen eighties. Do I remember it precisely? No, but
I want you to remember it precisely.
Speaker 2 (11:20):
You know what. I have a camera with me always,
and I have this video journal and made it to
like a vlog, and I upload it on YouTube and
I was watching and I would watch it every time
I miss my journey, and every time I miss a
part of it, I'm going to watch it.
Speaker 1 (11:42):
So yeah, see, because you understand the importance of the path,
don't you.
Speaker 2 (11:47):
Yes, so I yeah, I appreciate every part of my journey.
So the good way to do it is to just
record it and make it forever.
Speaker 1 (11:59):
What is your game plan? Now?
Speaker 2 (12:00):
What?
Speaker 1 (12:00):
What? What's next? I mean, I mean it's because I mean,
you're you're, you're you're a hot issue right now. People
are talking about you.
Speaker 2 (12:06):
Oh, thank you. I think the best information that I
would give is hopefully go home real quick for a
bit and the Philippines to just say thank you for
the people who will support it, and probably meet a
lot of Filipinos around America too, and hopefully get on
(12:29):
with the conversation with my record label and produce music
and do tours. I'm so excited to do tours as
much a I'm excited to do music because I really
love performing on stage.
Speaker 1 (12:42):
See, I'm hoping that you're going to be like a
Glory Stefan with the Miami sald Machine in the way
that you're going to open the door for other Filipinos,
in the way of saying, hey, look, we as a
nation have music, share it with the world.
Speaker 2 (12:54):
Yeah, exactly, and not just Filipinos. I believe that every
every race is capable of penetrating American music. And that's
the beauty of America. This is the greatest country I
would ever ever imagine because they you Americans really embraced
(13:14):
people with not with having not this. I mean, even
if we don't have the same like you know, like culture.
Just so blessed that I get to be on this
beautiful country and it opened doors for everyone that we
are welcomed we are seen and we are heard see.
Speaker 1 (13:36):
But the thing is is that it's because of people
like yourself that we live vicariously through you. Sure we
would all like to go and be on NBC's The Voice,
but we can't. Most of us don't have the confidence.
But you took those steps. You dared yourself in that mirror.
You said, we're going to do this, and look what happened.
Speaker 2 (13:53):
Yeah, it's also sending it's also a message, sending it
to everyone that yeah, we are still human. I mean,
you know, you can see me probably on stage being
so confident, but I always get nerves and I wish
I could do better than that, But we are humans.
The coaches always remind us you don't have to be perfect.
(14:14):
You don't have to be vocally perfect. You need to
show your vulnerability because people would always see that in
you and that would make people resonate and vote for you.
So yeah, I mean to people are there trying to
be in feror of their talents and arts, just go
do it.
Speaker 1 (14:33):
Yeah, those moments of when you do feel that fear.
I mean, one of the things that I learned as
a martial artist is that I would put my hand
over my dongeon, because that's where the energy is coming from,
and therefore I would find my calm. Where did you
find your calm before the performance?
Speaker 2 (14:48):
I can find it in my heart. Every time I
go on stage. Every time I perform, I do this
Catholic sign of Sign of the Cross. I grew up
doing Sign of the Cross. It's an act given and
(15:12):
forever from my father. He would always remind me just
to keep breathing, breathing and do the Sign of the
Cross and everything. Of course, God is the most powerful one.
So every time I think that that really helped me
keep my nerves away.
Speaker 1 (15:28):
I feel like that you're also going to be a
teacher along the way. Not only are you going to
be up on that big stage and we're going to
cheer you on and make a lot of noise out
there as the crowd, but I just feel like that
inside my heart that you're going to be a great
teacher for so many.
Speaker 2 (15:42):
Oh my gosh, ar I would love to help people.
I mean, because people nowadays, especially you, you always help.
I mean, you have me and you and me having
this conversation through Bill of iHeartRadio. This is just me
helping so way or another. When I help people too
when it's my time.
Speaker 1 (16:01):
So what's playing in your heart? Knowing that right now
NBC is already getting ready for season number twenty seven,
is there something that you learned that you can pass
forward or play it forward for future contestants or future performers,
Because every year, dude, it gets more competitive. I mean
this past year and season number six twenty six was
was just out of control.
Speaker 2 (16:23):
Yeah. Well, I think this is the most cliche advice
that I would give. Just enjoy the ride.
Speaker 1 (16:32):
Yeah, but it's so true because you know, I you
saying that. I'll bet you Paul McCartney would say the
same exact thing. Just enjoy the ride.
Speaker 2 (16:40):
Just enjoy it sometimes, yeah, because along the way, I
caught myself being so focused and I had a conversation
with Michael Bublade and he was like, hey, buddy, we
can control, we can what we can control, so just
be be peaceful, enjoy yourself because this is, you know what,
this is a competition. Whether we we or not, it's
still win for everyone. So you just have to enjoy
(17:02):
it because people would see you, people would see you,
and if you didn't enjoy it would take away the fun.
So just be joyful there and be grateful. And I
think that conversation we had was the best, the best,
It was the best, So it really helped me during
the day off the competition, Souff like I really enjoyed,
Like I'm going to take my time, this is my time.
(17:23):
So you watch me.
Speaker 1 (17:26):
When you were in California, and did you get to
at least go to Santa Barbara or go to the
art galleries or go to you know, the Santa Monica
peer or anything like that. Did you get to enjoy
what that state really does share with the planet.
Speaker 2 (17:39):
You know what, It's unfortunate that no, because I would
rather say, yeah, I would rather stay in the hotel
and just watch videos on YouTube. I mean part of
me enjoying is just watch all the versions that I've
got from the songs performing. So yeah, I really enjoyed it.
And I'm also a homebody. I mean I don't usually
(17:59):
go out, butethnically, if given the chance, I would do it,
because yeah, I think I need to enjoy life too.
Speaker 1 (18:06):
You know, speaking of being a Homeboddy, you know what's
happening is that people are going to go back to
episode number one of season twenty six and they're going
to binge watch the entire thing, where the rest of
us we had to wait week after week after week
to find out what was going on.
Speaker 2 (18:18):
Yeah, exactly, it was clearly I could also I could
also imagine you guys waiting, but for us, we waited
so long. Based we take the fewer episodes from June
of twenty twenty four and September, so it's a little
bit long, but yeah, it's worth it.
Speaker 1 (18:36):
Where can people go to find out more about you
and show you some honest to god love.
Speaker 2 (18:43):
I am over the social media. It's just so thron Neovaska,
so please send me messages. I get emails that are
saying thank you in as font as possible. I would
respond to everyone, So I'm happy. Dude.
Speaker 1 (18:57):
I can't thank you enough for giving yourself permission to
be part of this season twenty six because you really
are a bright light and you give us the opportunity.
We may not sing in tune, but you did for us,
and I can't thank you enough for that.
Speaker 2 (19:10):
Oh, thank you. I truly appreciate it. I mean, that's
the first time I heard it. Clearly you heard yeah,
you're the best.
Speaker 1 (19:18):
Well, please come back to the show. Anytime in the future.
The door is always going to be open for you, dude.
Speaker 2 (19:22):
Yeah, I can't wait to just come back and just sing,
or I can't wait to come back and celebrate my music. Finally,
I love it.
Speaker 1 (19:33):
Will you be brilliant today?
Speaker 2 (19:34):
Okay you thank you sir. Yeah you too, man,
Hey, thanks for being a part of the conversation. This
(00:01):
is played forward, Real people, Real stories. The Struggle to
Play It Forward. Episode number six forty two is with
Sofronio Vesquez, winner of NBC's The Voice, season number twenty six.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Oh my gosh, Hey, IROs nice. I saw too again. Man,
Oh my god.
Speaker 1 (00:16):
I mean it was one of those moments when you
and I sat down and we had an honest to
god one on one and I just felt like in
the moment, there was like, you know, this guy is
gonna go well beyond what we're talking about right now.
Speaker 2 (00:28):
My god, are you serious? That's having But thank you,
Thank you so much.
Speaker 1 (00:35):
Has it sunk in yet? I mean, I mean, I mean,
when you win something this big, I mean you look
at yourself in the mirror and you're going, I think
it happened. I dude, I really think it happened.
Speaker 2 (00:44):
Yeah, probably it did. But I would always remind myself like, yeah,
I won, because it's not like I was in I
was at the airport yesterday and I was walking and
people would, I mean a few people would start being like, hey,
is that so from you? And it's really weird, honestly,
in a good way because I was just before I
would travel and no one would notice me. And now
(01:06):
I think people are a little aware of from my
name and it's so sweet, but it's crazy. It's crazy.
Speaker 1 (01:15):
Do you have to now put the focus on Okay,
so when I go back into that dentist office, they're
going to recognize me. How are we going to make
this about the patient and not necessarily about the singer.
Speaker 2 (01:27):
Well, that's gonna be that's gonna be crazy. But I
think I have to decide to just put aside my
dental work for now because I want to focus more
with music. But I mean, whether whether I make it
or not a music, I still have my dental career waiting.
So yeah.
Speaker 1 (01:48):
But see the thing about it is that I believe
inside my heart that you know people because you deal
with people one on one in the way that you do.
And it's like, I cannot wait to watch you create
music because once again you know, oh people.
Speaker 2 (02:02):
Yeah, I think you're all right, Eric Aro. Having to
work with people personally, like like up close, up close,
it also helped you know how to access emotions. And
I believe I had a very good amount of challenges
in life that would really equip me that can be
(02:25):
used in music. So hopefully I get on to be
the like on the on the studio and work with
my stuff and yeah, just people Dutch people's hearts with music.
Speaker 1 (02:38):
One of the things that I've always dreamed about when
it comes to NBC's The Voice is I want I
would love to see a collaboration between the great set
up here on each season, was there somebody that you
thought to yourself, I would like to collaborate with this person?
Speaker 2 (02:52):
Oh yeah, I was clearly thinking. One goal for me
is to just be in the finale and have collaboration
performance with my coach Michael Buble and your dream. I
mean I would always tell this to everyone, like I
think I want already before I won.
Speaker 1 (03:09):
There's nothing wrong with that. If if you can't envision it,
then then it's not gonna happen. You've got to be
able to live it and feel it well before it's written.
Speaker 2 (03:16):
Yeah, you're right. I mean I was always manifesting this
thing that every time I would I would see no
like a good good angel numbers from sent from wherever universe.
I would always manifest myself like the winner of the
Voice is throwing you basket. So I always hear Carlon
(03:37):
Daily's voice on my head. I fire really made it possible.
Speaker 1 (03:43):
What are your angel numbers? Mine are one one, one one.
I have to have four ones. What are your angel numbers?
Speaker 2 (03:49):
Oh my gosh, are you serious? Mine is eleven eleven? Really?
Speaker 1 (03:54):
Oh my god? I mean, and then when it happens
on the clock every single day, you can't help us
sit there and say thanks you. I'm here too, I'm here,
I'm present.
Speaker 2 (04:03):
It's really really weird arrow, you know what. For some reason,
every time or everywhere that specific number would always like
me catching it. I mean, I don't always check through eleven,
but every time there's a random number tick, oh what okay,
you're giving me another sign. So okay, yeah it's eleven eleven.
Speaker 1 (04:25):
But see, But to me, it brings a tremendous amount
of peace to the soul though, which to a creative
mind is is well needed because we can't turn this
stuff off. We just got to keep creating. And we
see something like an angel number and it's like, okay,
I can breathe for a moment.
Speaker 2 (04:39):
Yeah, it's like it's like a moment for for you. Yeah,
And to just leave that Okay, you're a person, you're giving,
or you're you're you're whatever, your God, you're you're part
of the universe or whatever power up above you're sending
me this mentioned like Cay Sofron you I'm here, Just dream,
just move forward.
Speaker 1 (04:58):
So yeah, so I love the fact that you went
into this with a strategy. How did you sit down
and break this down? Because I call it defragging? What
what did what did you do to create this strategy?
Speaker 2 (05:11):
Hmm? So my strategy was a wait, do I have
a strategy? No? Yeah, I think the strategy is just
be be be performing like one hundred percent every time
I hold the phone, whether on camera camera, because people
will just see me on stage, and I think Michael
(05:35):
bublay also watches watches our performances from the rehearsals, So
even then you're going to do on stage, you have
to put a mark on Michael Bublaz's mind that this
guy can really sing, even in the rehearsals. So every
time I hold the phones, it's not it's not I think.
(05:57):
I think I'm not allowed to this, but probably some
contestants would do like I'm not gonna be singing this
full out off camera because like it's not stage, but
I'm not that person. Every time I hold the camera,
I mean every time I hold phone or microphone, I
would do it perfectly the way that I would do
it on stage and hopefully be a better version on
(06:19):
that day itself, so that it would stick to Michael
Bublaze like this man can really sing.
Speaker 1 (06:25):
See I'm totally with Michael Boublay on this because that's
the way that I created a strategy in martial arts.
The way that I would watch those students be in
that DOJNG and how they acted in class I knew
that when it was tournament time and we went to
that tournament, I knew they would do what they did
in that classroom, and that's how I was able to
win the medals that I did exactly.
Speaker 2 (06:43):
I mean also adding to my strategy now that I've
talked to you and that I'm able to just speak
it for you because you're the first one to ask
me about strategy. I think if I am given this
song like specifically another like for that round, all the
versions ever recorded, whether it's TikTok, YouTube, Apple Music, Spotify,
(07:08):
I would clearly hear it and pick and I would
pick definite spots or like parts of like, oh I
like this front, I like this flare, I like this
build up, and they put it on like one version.
Speaker 1 (07:21):
So yeah, I'm with you on that in the way,
because I mean every time that I go to a
Spotify or I go to iHeartRadio or any other streaming place,
the music always sounds different. What can I do to
where it sounds the same no matter where you find
my song?
Speaker 2 (07:35):
Exactly? Yeah, music relative because music is art and art
is just limited. People would tell you how to that
and it's clearly like it you can out of you.
You have to read. I have I have a lyrics
printed to me, and then I would clearly this this
(07:56):
part I would I would backphrase this part. I would breathe,
so I would go back to the real basic and
just yeah, just study the piece there.
Speaker 1 (08:07):
So are you like me in the way that when
you do see those lyrics, that you put marks on
that page in a way that's extend this note, bend
this note, breathe here.
Speaker 2 (08:17):
I have a whole pile of it. I mean I
saved it because I'm that sentimental and I'll forever keep
those ones. But I would have all those markings like
I would do crazy circles and then flares and then
like my own that if I would that I would
(08:37):
understand in a way that I would understand those those marks. Well.
Speaker 1 (08:42):
See, I didn't get to keep mine because my engineer
Charles Holloman and Alan Talbot would always take my notes
because they because I would draw on them, I would
do everything to them, and they wanted to have it
because because you know, being an artist doesn't mean that
you're just putting your vocals out there. It's about all
that energy comes out of you at once.
Speaker 2 (08:59):
Yeah, I mean it's part of it's part of your artistry.
So yeah, my notes are still with being. I'm going
to be keeping it.
Speaker 1 (09:09):
So what did you learn from all of this? Because
when you stepped on that stage for the very first time,
compared to who you are today, what's one lesson that
you took from this?
Speaker 2 (09:19):
Wow? I O, you're just throwing so good questions. But
I think the biggest lesson is to just, uh, keep
the faith. You don't have the power or whatever happens
or what what's going to happen, but just you have
(09:39):
to keep the faith and be reminded that you are special.
Speaker 1 (09:44):
Was there around that you enjoyed better than the other.
Because I mean to go from the blinds to the
battles to the knockouts. To me, I can't imagine what
you felt like. Did you feel like a quarterback that's
you know that that everybody was coming at you to,
you know, to sack the quarterback?
Speaker 2 (09:59):
I really don't. I don't think I have in mind,
but I think, yeah, I don't know. Weird.
Speaker 1 (10:12):
So do you build a studio now in your house
and start dropping vocal tracks?
Speaker 2 (10:18):
I'm not the techi person, you know. I don't know.
I mean, I just can I just can wait that
I would be able to work with people, and yeah,
I ask them to help you with music because if if,
if you want to ask me, I don't know how
to read notes. I don't know how to play guitars
or an instrument. I just play it by my soul
(10:40):
in my heart. All I know is I can sing,
and this is my gift and this is my instrument.
Speaker 1 (10:44):
So yeah, no, I totally get that. Because when it
comes to music, you know, playing guitar or drums and
stuff like that, I always look at it as being
somebody needs a job today. You're going to be my
guitarist and you're going to get paid. Congratulations, you're employed.
So then how do you how do you now now
digest this? Are you keeping a journal? Because you know
(11:06):
how life is, things are moving so quickly that yeah,
you know, it's like when I was up for Casey
casem on American Top forty. That was way back in
the nineteen eighties. Do I remember it precisely? No, but
I want you to remember it precisely.
Speaker 2 (11:20):
You know what. I have a camera with me always,
and I have this video journal and made it to
like a vlog, and I upload it on YouTube and
I was watching and I would watch it every time
I miss my journey, and every time I miss a
part of it, I'm going to watch it.
Speaker 1 (11:42):
So yeah, see, because you understand the importance of the path,
don't you.
Speaker 2 (11:47):
Yes, so I yeah, I appreciate every part of my journey.
So the good way to do it is to just
record it and make it forever.
Speaker 1 (11:59):
What is your game plan? Now?
Speaker 2 (12:00):
What?
Speaker 1 (12:00):
What? What's next? I mean, I mean it's because I mean,
you're you're, you're you're a hot issue right now. People
are talking about you.
Speaker 2 (12:06):
Oh, thank you. I think the best information that I
would give is hopefully go home real quick for a
bit and the Philippines to just say thank you for
the people who will support it, and probably meet a
lot of Filipinos around America too, and hopefully get on
(12:29):
with the conversation with my record label and produce music
and do tours. I'm so excited to do tours as
much a I'm excited to do music because I really
love performing on stage.
Speaker 1 (12:42):
See, I'm hoping that you're going to be like a
Glory Stefan with the Miami sald Machine in the way
that you're going to open the door for other Filipinos,
in the way of saying, hey, look, we as a
nation have music, share it with the world.
Speaker 2 (12:54):
Yeah, exactly, and not just Filipinos. I believe that every
every race is capable of penetrating American music. And that's
the beauty of America. This is the greatest country I
would ever ever imagine because they you Americans really embraced
(13:14):
people with not with having not this. I mean, even
if we don't have the same like you know, like culture.
Just so blessed that I get to be on this
beautiful country and it opened doors for everyone that we
are welcomed we are seen and we are heard see.
Speaker 1 (13:36):
But the thing is is that it's because of people
like yourself that we live vicariously through you. Sure we
would all like to go and be on NBC's The Voice,
but we can't. Most of us don't have the confidence.
But you took those steps. You dared yourself in that mirror.
You said, we're going to do this, and look what happened.
Speaker 2 (13:53):
Yeah, it's also sending it's also a message, sending it
to everyone that yeah, we are still human. I mean,
you know, you can see me probably on stage being
so confident, but I always get nerves and I wish
I could do better than that, But we are humans.
The coaches always remind us you don't have to be perfect.
(14:14):
You don't have to be vocally perfect. You need to
show your vulnerability because people would always see that in
you and that would make people resonate and vote for you.
So yeah, I mean to people are there trying to
be in feror of their talents and arts, just go
do it.
Speaker 1 (14:33):
Yeah, those moments of when you do feel that fear.
I mean, one of the things that I learned as
a martial artist is that I would put my hand
over my dongeon, because that's where the energy is coming from,
and therefore I would find my calm. Where did you
find your calm before the performance?
Speaker 2 (14:48):
I can find it in my heart. Every time I
go on stage. Every time I perform, I do this
Catholic sign of Sign of the Cross. I grew up
doing Sign of the Cross. It's an act given and
(15:12):
forever from my father. He would always remind me just
to keep breathing, breathing and do the Sign of the
Cross and everything. Of course, God is the most powerful one.
So every time I think that that really helped me
keep my nerves away.
Speaker 1 (15:28):
I feel like that you're also going to be a
teacher along the way. Not only are you going to
be up on that big stage and we're going to
cheer you on and make a lot of noise out
there as the crowd, but I just feel like that
inside my heart that you're going to be a great
teacher for so many.
Speaker 2 (15:42):
Oh my gosh, ar I would love to help people.
I mean, because people nowadays, especially you, you always help.
I mean, you have me and you and me having
this conversation through Bill of iHeartRadio. This is just me
helping so way or another. When I help people too
when it's my time.
Speaker 1 (16:01):
So what's playing in your heart? Knowing that right now
NBC is already getting ready for season number twenty seven,
is there something that you learned that you can pass
forward or play it forward for future contestants or future performers,
Because every year, dude, it gets more competitive. I mean
this past year and season number six twenty six was
was just out of control.
Speaker 2 (16:23):
Yeah. Well, I think this is the most cliche advice
that I would give. Just enjoy the ride.
Speaker 1 (16:32):
Yeah, but it's so true because you know, I you
saying that. I'll bet you Paul McCartney would say the
same exact thing. Just enjoy the ride.
Speaker 2 (16:40):
Just enjoy it sometimes, yeah, because along the way, I
caught myself being so focused and I had a conversation
with Michael Bublade and he was like, hey, buddy, we
can control, we can what we can control, so just
be be peaceful, enjoy yourself because this is, you know what,
this is a competition. Whether we we or not, it's
still win for everyone. So you just have to enjoy
(17:02):
it because people would see you, people would see you,
and if you didn't enjoy it would take away the fun.
So just be joyful there and be grateful. And I
think that conversation we had was the best, the best,
It was the best, So it really helped me during
the day off the competition, Souff like I really enjoyed,
Like I'm going to take my time, this is my time.
(17:23):
So you watch me.
Speaker 1 (17:26):
When you were in California, and did you get to
at least go to Santa Barbara or go to the
art galleries or go to you know, the Santa Monica
peer or anything like that. Did you get to enjoy
what that state really does share with the planet.
Speaker 2 (17:39):
You know what, It's unfortunate that no, because I would
rather say, yeah, I would rather stay in the hotel
and just watch videos on YouTube. I mean part of
me enjoying is just watch all the versions that I've
got from the songs performing. So yeah, I really enjoyed it.
And I'm also a homebody. I mean I don't usually
(17:59):
go out, butethnically, if given the chance, I would do it,
because yeah, I think I need to enjoy life too.
Speaker 1 (18:06):
You know, speaking of being a Homeboddy, you know what's
happening is that people are going to go back to
episode number one of season twenty six and they're going
to binge watch the entire thing, where the rest of
us we had to wait week after week after week
to find out what was going on.
Speaker 2 (18:18):
Yeah, exactly, it was clearly I could also I could
also imagine you guys waiting, but for us, we waited
so long. Based we take the fewer episodes from June
of twenty twenty four and September, so it's a little
bit long, but yeah, it's worth it.
Speaker 1 (18:36):
Where can people go to find out more about you
and show you some honest to god love.
Speaker 2 (18:43):
I am over the social media. It's just so thron Neovaska,
so please send me messages. I get emails that are
saying thank you in as font as possible. I would
respond to everyone, So I'm happy. Dude.
Speaker 1 (18:57):
I can't thank you enough for giving yourself permission to
be part of this season twenty six because you really
are a bright light and you give us the opportunity.
We may not sing in tune, but you did for us,
and I can't thank you enough for that.
Speaker 2 (19:10):
Oh, thank you. I truly appreciate it. I mean, that's
the first time I heard it. Clearly you heard yeah,
you're the best.
Speaker 1 (19:18):
Well, please come back to the show. Anytime in the future.
The door is always going to be open for you, dude.
Speaker 2 (19:22):
Yeah, I can't wait to just come back and just sing,
or I can't wait to come back and celebrate my music. Finally,
I love it.
Speaker 1 (19:33):
Will you be brilliant today?
Speaker 2 (19:34):
Okay you thank you sir. Yeah you too, man,
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