LOS ANGELES — Goldsboro native Tae Lewis may be on the other side of the country chasing his dreams of a music career, but rest assured, he feels every ounce of the love and support from his hometown.
Lewis, 32, performed a moving rendition of Chris Stapleton and Carly Pearce’s ‘We don’t fight anymore,” alongside fellow contestant L. Rodgers on Monday night’s episode of NBC’s “The Voice.”
Following Lewis and Rodgers’ stirring performance, Reba McEntire, the duo’s coach, chose Lewis to advance to the knockout stage, before using her lone playoff pass to keep Rodgers on the show.
Collaborating with Rodgers while simultaneously competing against her, and knowing his fate on “The Voice” was hanging in the balance, proved to be an emotional rollercoaster for Lewis.
“It was an interesting dynamic because we both knew when we walked in that we both had to get the playoff pass or we had to get a steal so both of us could be able to stay,” Lewis told Goldsborodailynews.com on Tuesday. “The process was very interesting for both of us because we wanted to help each other by complimenting each other through what could make us shine throughout the song. That’s why the song that Reba chose was such an iconic song for both of us because it maximized on places that we could be able to figure out what we could do.”
Despite now living in Nashville, Tenn., Lewis has been fueled by the love and support he’s received from his hometown of Goldsboro during his journey on “The Voice,” which began in February.
“So, this is crazy,” Lewis said. “I have never experienced this much love in all my years of being in Goldsboro. I grew up in Goldsboro all my life, and I didn’t realize all the love and support that Goldsboro gives people when they see somebody like me who is on television and achieving their dreams. It’s been an eye-catching experience but it’s also been a heartfelt and warm experience to know that my hometown supports me in everything I do. Just to see them sharing my stuff (online), commenting and telling other people, it’s just been an amazing experience.”
The son of a pastor, Lewis grew up singing in church and he performed his first solo when he was just five. Despite having more than two decades of experience performing, Lewis admits the pressure of competing under the microscope of a well-known show like “The Voice,” can be daunting at times.
“I will say it’s been very hard because for me I’m very much a person that likes to compete a lot,” Lewis said. “I did play sports in high school, I work out a ton and I’m always competing against people all the time with something. So for me, this had been very difficult for me because I am trying to keep my eye on the prize and make sure I don’t read the comments of what people are saying on Facebook or Instagram or just anything. I think one of the biggest things for me right now is just staying focused and practicing my song and learning it every single day and figuring out what I can do that is different than the artist that originally sang the song.”
As Lewis prepares to spend the next few weeks honing his skills for the knockout round, he wants Goldsboro to know how appreciative he is for its support.
“I just want to say, Goldsboro, I really appreciate you guys and this whole entirety of everything you guys have been doing for me so far in this whole process,” Lewis said. “I see all the comments. I see all the messages. I see all the love you guys have been giving me, and all the support you guys have been giving me, and I appreciate all of it. None of it is taken for granted. I just want to let you guys know that I make sure I make you proud by me doing this, and really put Goldsboro on the map because somebody has to put us on the map.”
The knockout round of “The Voice,” begins Apr. 8 on NBC.
