An unlikely voice

On Monday’s telecast, Davis sang “America,” Simon & Garfunkel’s classic song of two young lovers hitchhiking around the country in search of the real America. The celebrity judges were impressed.

“The way you perform, the way you embrace a song, it’s almost as if you’ve written every song you’ve performed on that stage,” said Blake Shelton.

“I thought this was your best performance yet,” added Pharrell Williams. “It was really magical tonight.”

The show’s viewers agreed. Davis was voted into the next round Tuesday evening as the show whittled its top 12 performers down to 10. This continues an impressive and unlikely run for the 37-year-old songwriter, who was caught completely off guard by the opportunity to appear on the show.

“I was surprised when (“The Voice”) approached me,” he said. “I’ve always thought of myself as a songwriter first, then an instrumentalist, then a singer.”

Davis cut his teeth in the Michigan folk music scene.

He spent 16 years as vocalist/guitarist in local folk favorite Steppin’ in It and released three solo albums through Michigan-based Earthwork Music. He has also performed with Earthwork Music supergroup the Starlight Six and classic swing band Shout Sister Shout. In the latter, members of Steppin’ in It team up with vocalist Rachael Davis — no relation to Joshua Davis, although she is married to his former Steppin´ in It bandmate and current member of Jack White’s band, Dominic John Davis.

“We have something unique in Michigan,” Davis said. “It’s collaboration over competition. People are always bouncing ideas off of each other.”

Although Davis served as vocalist in Steppin’ in It, he said it is a role he accepted by default — he was the only member of the band who would to it. He credits the staff at “The Voice,” especially his vocal coach, with helping him to hone his vocal talents.

“The show has made me look at my voice like another instrument,” Davis said. “My range has increased, and I’m more consistent. I feel like I’m really owning my voice.”

Davis is working to bring the collaborative spirit of the Michigan scene to “The Voice,” building bonds with the other contestants even while they compete against each other.

“The contestants are a tight family,” Davis said. “When eight of us left last week, it was really tough.”

Sharp-eyed guitar enthusiasts may have noticed a variety of guitars in Davis’ hands through his performances on “The Voice.” For his debut on the show, Davis used his Kalamazoo KG-11, built in the 1930s at Gibson Guitar Corp.’s Kalamazoo factory.

“I’ve been playing that guitar for years,” Davis said. “I like unique guitars, guitars with character.”

Prior to the performance, Davis had to tape the headstock of his guitar to mask the logo. The Kalamazoo brand is still under trademark by Gibson, and NBC couldn’t secure the rights to use it for broadcast.

Davis’ guitar troubles escalated quickly from there. Years of use and the rigors of cross-country travel left his prized instrument in rough shape.

“I brought it into Elderly Instruments, and it was like an emergency room situation,” said Davis. “They were using words like ‘imploding’ and ‘falling apart,’ I think someone even said ‘stat.’”

Davis borrowed a Taylor guitar to use on “The Voice” while his Kalamazoo was in the shop. While the crew at Elderly was able to revive his guitar, Davis also found a suitable replacement to take on the road. Some musician friends turned him on to Waterloo guitars, built by an Austin-based subsidiary of Collings Guitars. Waterloo guitars are modern guitars modeled after early 20th century instuments.

“I had been drooling over them for a while,” said Davis.

He took the plunge and purchased a Waterloo WL-14, and the guitar made its television debut last week on Davis’ rendition of “Budapest.”

“It’s amazing,” said Davis. “It pairs that unique thump and mid-range strength that makes me love the Kalamazoo. I can’t stop playing it.”

To see more of Davis’ exploits on “The Voice,” follow him on Twitter (@joshuadavis77), Instagram (@joshuadavismusic) or Facebook ( facebook.com/ JoshuaDavisMusic).