Former Owensboro worship pastor, Kaleb Lee, auditioned on NBC’s The Voice last night, receiving two chair turns from new judge Kelly Clarkson and Blake Shelton. Both judges were impressed with Kaleb’s unique country voice and vied for the 31-year-old to join their team.
“Your voice would stand out in county music because it’s so gravelly and a little bit bluesy-sounding,” Blake Shelton said.
When asked if he ever pursued a career in Nashville, Kaleb said he tried for a few years, but ultimately made the decision to leave music seven years ago for the corporate world in order to support his family. But it was his family’s encouragement to not give up on his dream that brought him to The Voice stage.
Despite both judges wanting Kaleb on their team, he chose Blake Shelton as his coach.
Owensboro Living spoke with Kaleb about his love of music, his ties to Owensboro, and what it was like stepping out on that stage.
What was your time like in Owensboro?
I am originally from western Kentucky and called Owensboro home for about four years. I moved to Owensboro in 2007 to take a worship leader position at Bridgepointe Church. My wife and I bought our first house in Owensboro and we had our first child at Owensboro Health. We made many life long friends and memories during our time in Owensboro.
What was special about Owensboro compared to other places you have traveled and lived?
From the first night as an Owensboro resident, to many trips after, we left returning to visit friends. Owensboro always felt like home.
What led you to leave Owensboro?
We ultimately left Owensboro after some music opportunities in Nashville didn’t pan out for me like I had hoped. We thought that getting as far away from Nashville and my then “current” music scene would help with my transition away from music. I wanted to be a better dad and husband, so we found a new opportunity in Ormond Beach, Florida and have been here ever since. We hated to leave our friends in Owensboro and the great community, but it was a transition that we needed as a family.
Can you tell me about your family?
I met my wife while attending Murray State University. She ran track and I was playing music. I moved to Owensboro and we married in 2008 (in Indianapolis, where she is from). We bought our first house in Owensboro and shortly welcomed our first daughter, Graelynn (now 8 years old). We relocated to Ormond Beach in February of 2011 and our second daughter, Lilly, was born in March 2011. About six months later, we started our adoption process that took over three years to complete and finally adopted our son, Johander (now 4 years old) from Nicaragua!
You are pursuing a career in county music, but have sang worship. What is your passion?
My first passion was country music! I grew up listening to George Strait, Garth Brooks, Sammy Kershaw, and others. Throughout high school and college, the church offered me an incredible opportunity to use my gifts and passions in leading others in worship. I loved it! It was what really kept me purusing music and learning how to engage people with my music.
Will Kentucky always be home?
Even though I live in Florida, Kentucky will always be home. My parents still live there and I loved being able to grow up in Kentucky. Its a beautiful place with beautiful people inside and out. I hope my family will land back there one day.
What is it like to see the support on social media? What would you like to tell hometown/state fans?
It’s been incredible to see so much support on social media since I made the announcement that I had auditioned for The Voice. It is a strong encouragement to me since I practically gave up music for about eight years. I have always had a passion to perform and sing and the love and support everyone has shown has made me realize that other people, at least a few, enjoyed me doing it a well!
What is it like going from a small town in Kentucky to The Voice stage in Los Angeles? How did you feel when you stepped out on that stage?
At the heart, I’m just a small town boy with big dreams. I have always been pretty confident on stage and in front of people, but The Voice stage was, by far, the most nervous I have ever been. Part of it was because it was THE VOICE…and the other was because I felt like I had a lot of rust to dust off!