Erin Willett & Jermaine Paul of Team Blake Talk Live Rounds on ‘The Voice’

The blind auditions and battle rounds are over and its now up to America to decide who stays and who goes on ‘The Voice.’  The live rounds begin tonight on NBC at 8. I had the opportunity to talk with Erin Willett and Jermaine Paul of Blake Shelton‘s team about family, music and their hopes for the future.

Erin Willett‘s time on ‘The Voice‘ is unlike any other contestants.  She had to deal with the loss of her father during her journey.  He was diagnosed with cancer in October, during the blind auditions and passed away two months later, during the battle rounds.  But it didn’t stop Erin from chasing her dreams, at the insistence of her family.  ‘We sat down and talked about it before he really got sick.  He was always so positive about me  staying in the competition. So I’m just trying to stay in the moment and know my dad is with me.’

Erin is ready for the live rounds now that she’s ‘in a better place, mentally.  I got to go home and get my mind right and be with my family.’  Now she’s excited for America to see the Erin Willett who was voted class clown in high school.  How appropriate for her to be on Blake’s team.  ‘We get along very well.  He’s so hilarious and is always having a good time.  It’s awesome to have him as my coach.’

So what’s the best advice Blake has given Erin so far? ‘At the end of the day you can’t please everyone and you might as well please yourself.  Do your job well.  You might as well do it with a smile on your face and do what you want to do.’

Erin may be a powerhouse pop singer, but she’s got a little country in her  ‘I actually grew up on country music.  My first concert was Mary Chapin Carpenter.’

Polly Wogg talks with Erin Willett

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Jermaine Paul may be in Hollywood now, but he’s no stranger to Upstate New York.  It’s where he got his start. ‘I went to college at Syrcuse University as a music business major.’  Which came in handy for a guy who sang backup for a number of big stars including Alicia Keys for the past 8 years. ‘I’ve been looking forward to stepping out and being my own artist.’

For a guy who’s musical influences were Otis Redding, Marvin Gaye and Michael Jackson, it seems odd he would choose Blake Shelton for his coach rather than Cee Lo Green. ‘I wanted to go with Cee Lo Green, but Blake kind of challenged me.’

So what’s been Blake’s best words of wisdom for Jermaine? ‘To not stress out so much.  He always says ‘you got the chops, now you just gotta relax and have a good time,’ in his best Blake Shelton voice.  And the laughs are non stop. ‘Oh my god, this guy’s a riot.  He’s crazy.  And the fact that he just don’t give a hoot.  It’s great.   In all his joking he does find the time to give me tidbits of information. He can lighten up a room and then he can say something serious.  You’re listening to what he says but then you’re waiting for the next joke.’

Blake could have possible Voice winner on his team with Jermaine who has a big voice and an even bigger smile. ‘To be honest with you, there’s so much talent here.  It is ridiculous.  If I were to be blessed with that, it would be an amazing accomplishment.’

Polly Wogg talks with Jermaine Paul

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Tune into to NBC tonight to watch all the live round action at 8.