Adam Wakefield has come a long way since being a part of Team Blake on The Voice. He’s an artist that’s coming into his own, who’s thankful for the coaching Blake Shelton and The Voice have given him. But, Wakefield is no longer a part of a show but he is now his own artist, independently on the rise for something greater than he could ever imagine.
After gaining a slew of fans from Season 10, Wakefield isn’t holding anything back with his Chris Stapleton like sound of jazzy blues, artistic diversity and incredible vocal chops. He is by far one of the best contestants to rise up from The Voice competition, and that will remain evident throughout his solo career. With a little bit of guidance from country superstar Blake Shelton and coming into his own, Wakefield has achieved focus and balance as he’s learned what kind of music he wants to play for his audience. With that, we can’t wait for The Voice alum’s new music and what he has coming up next.
We sat down with Wakefield during Country Radio Seminar (CRS) in Downtown Nashville to learn more about his experience on The Voice, working with Blake Shelton, and what’s coming up next for him. Read on below:
BEYOND THE STAGE: What was your experience like on the Voice? What was the most valuable lesson you learned while on the show?
ADAM WAKEFIELD: My experience on The Voice was fun and pretty surreal for me. It’s weird because I grew up in the middle of nowhere as a country boy and then I’m all of a sudden on a TV show. It was all pretty wild and I don’t think it really sunk in that I was on the show until I started watching my episodes.
As far as the lessons I’ve learned, one of them was learning about the other contestants and how everyone supported one another on our season. Our season was pretty special as far as the atmosphere and the dynamic of everyone supporting each other. There were so many of us from Nashville on our season, so that was the vibe of the season. It brought a great sense of community, which was really cool to experience.
BTS: What was it like working with Blake?
AW: Blake is really cool guy. He’s a funny and down to earth guy and working with him was great for me. He’s not the typical L.A. guy or gives off that Hollywood persona and that was really refreshing for me. I learned a lot from him and it was fun to work so closely with him.
BTS: Your song “When Your Sober” is an ode to heartbreak and letting go of someone that you should have let go of long ago. What in the point of a relationship do you think its time to let go? Was there a personal experience in your life that made you write that song?
AW: When I wrote that song, I was thinking about a personal experience I had back when I was engaged. I was with this girl for about 6 or 7 years and we had been engaged for the last year of it. When I broke it off, she was heartbroken over it and I tried my best to give her space and let her deal with it. But it was kind of one of those things where I got a late night call from her. She had been drinking and wanted to come over. So, when I was writing the song, I was trying to pull from the experience.
But the song is written from the guys standpoint where he wants to get back together with his ex but isn’t going to do it under the wrong circumstances. She calls and wants to get back together with him but he’s not going to do it while she’s drunk because he knows she’ll just leave in the morning and regret doing it. The vibe of the song is different from my personal experience because I wanted to spin it a little differently. I wanted it to have a little moral to it rather than a sympathetic story.
The cool part about the song is that the hard decision isn’t for her not to call, but for him to not let her come over. He knows it’s not the right timing and he doesn’t want to get back together under those kinds of circumstances if they are to get back together.
BTS: Many have compared you to Chris Stapleton. Is he the kind of artist you want to follow resemble in your career? How do you want to set yourself apart from that?
AW: There are definitely similarities between Chris and I, and I have a large amount of respect for him. But as far as direction, there’s a lot of things to be taken from him and as far as being an independent artist and forging for the road ahead, I definitely would love to take a page out of his book.
As far as music goes, Chris’ record is a refreshing throwback to an older style of country music, which is a part of what I do but my songs are definitely more modern. Once I get my original stuff out, I think people will realize the difference between Chris and I.
BTS: You have a new song that comes out March 24 called “Blame It On Me”. Can you talk about the song an tell us about the background and writing process?
AW: “Blame It On Me” is the perfect song to release to radio in my opinion. It’s not a song I wrote but I heard it and I fell in love with it as far as production goes. I felt like it was the perfect song to introduce myself as an artist and to country radio. It’s a great marriage between the sound that’s on the radio now and the sound I want to go with.
The song is really cool and has a message that I think many people will relate to. It has two sides to. You can take it in a way where the guys is trying to get back together with his girlfriend with an apology but if you flip it and take it a whole different direction where the guy can say “I’m not saying it’s my fault but if that’s what you want to think, then go for it,” I believe that can most relatable to guys. I’m excited for it to be released to radio and for everyone to hear it.
BTS: When is your new project coming? Can you tell us anything about it?
AW: We’re working on some new tunes. We aren’t sure whether or not it’ll be an album or EP yet but we’ll see how many songs make the cut. But once we know for sure, we’ll definitely release news on that but right now, we’re still working in the studio.
BTS: You’ve performed alongside big name artists such as, Blake, Alison Krauss and Jamey Johnson. What were those experiences like?
AW: Playing with some of those folks have been great. When you’re standing next to Alison Krauss and singing with her, it’s surreal. I’ve been a huge fan of hers for some time. I hear her singing and she’s always in tune. For someone like me, it makes me step up my game and try to sing like her and matching how in tune she is.
It always depends on who it is. For someone like Jamey Johnson, it’s different. He’s someone who captivates you with his voice. So for him, I learned a lot about using the lower tones in my voice. It’s great when you work with a lot of talented people because sometimes you can pull some stuff from them and learn a lot in the process.
BTS: Your touring with your side project The Copperheads right now. Can you tell us a little about the project and will you be going on a solo tour anytime soon?
AW: The Copperheads is a bluegrass group. The songs are less traditional as far as bluegrass goes. Being able to write with them and play with them has been great. I go on the road with them when I can and that’s always a fun time. I’m always playing shows and touring.
For more information visit Adam’s website and follow him on Twitter
“Blame It On Me” becomes available digitally Friday, March 24th
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