Nicole Sonnier

Season two of the NBC reality talent show “The Voice” is proving to be bursting with incredible talent that tops what viewers find in the shows competitors. During the blind audition’s Chris Mann stepped out onto the stage donning a suit and tie. Believing that this was his “make it or break it moment” he gave all that he had to deliver a beautiful rendition of Andrea Bocelli’s “Because We Believe”. As he began the surprise was evident on the faces of all four celebrity judges. The risk he took was worth it the chairs of Cee-Lo Green and Christina Aguilera turned around, each attempting to convince him to that they were the right choice. Knowing that his dreams would be coming true in the upcoming months Mann stepped into the competition as a part of Aguilera’s team. While some critics see a form of arrogance in Mann, he is actually his own worst critic. His issues with confidence will hopefully continue to be diminished with the help of his coach. He professes that he does need to “get out of my own head.” Working with the young songstress has been a blessing to him, delivering a beautiful moment when Aguilera “pulled me out of a dark place and gave me confidence again.” Chris tells Examiner that his style is a “crossover, Josh Groban meets Robbie Williams.” Mann is all about “beautiful lyrics and a long melody.” Take one look at his resume and you will find that although he says he is trying to catch his big break, he has had quite a list of impressive accomplishments. Music master Kenny Babyface Edmonds and David Foster sang his praises after Mann was featured in “David Foster and Friends”. Edmonds’ declaration that Mann’s was one of the best voices he has some across in years delights the singer. “Kenny is an icon.” Foster helped him get to a place where he learned to not take his voice for granted. The lesson to respect his voice and use the power when necessary will help him throughout this competition. His “Beautiful Life” track was included in the promotional soundtrack to the heart wrenching Lifetime series that captures military personnel on their return to their families “Coming Home”. Mann is also an actor with credits including appearances in Glee, Mobbed, and several musicals. When asked when exactly he will believe that he has “made it” he laughs and says that while he has had a lot of work in the last four years he does not yet have what he would call a career. He leads a busy life. While building his career he composes his personal blog posts on Mann Blog and the latest entries have been full of behind the scenes scoop from the show. He says it’s a bit of a fulltime job maintaining the blog and his twitter profile but “it’s worth it. I’m nothing without support”. He has always made it a priority to communicate with fans and this will go a long way to keep those fans calling in to vote for the popular contestant. After working hard to earn 100 fans per month it was “mind-blowing” when his following jumped by 10,000 one day after his start with The Voice. During this contestants introduction to the show Mann may have exposed another reason why this had to be his time. His mother, Dorothy, was found to have Pancreatic Cancer. The illness has brought more to the singer than sadness, his “perspective has changed a lot”. It has impressed upon him the importance of the now – loving and enjoy those closest to us now. Several days after the blind audition disaster struck again when a close friend collapsed and was diagnosed with stage three brain cancer. This opportunity and these life-changing events are all happening at one time, placing a great deal of pressure on the singer. This may be where the “staunch opera singer” label may have come from. Those who saw him in that initial performance saw a man on a mission and one that may have come across as stern with little sense of humor. Well, one look at the Mann Blog and his Twitter feed and you’ll find that couldn’t be further from the truth. His nervousness is what was coming across to viewers and he promises that you will see more of the real Chris Mann during the live rounds. “I’m a goofball,” he says, adding “and a sarcastic ass, to my parents regret.” Mann’s battle round put him in direct competition with Monique Benabou. Tasked to perform Celine Dion’s “Power of Love” in the ring the two met with Christina where Benabou’s tackling of the high notes and conquering of the power in the song may have given Mann something to think about. When he met with long time R&B singer Lionel Richie his lack of confidence was showing. Richie was able to pull him into the feeling of the song and out of his own doubt, reminding him that “The you that shows up today is good enough.” The pep talk worked and once in the ring the pair sounded beautiful together. As Chris belted out the lyrics the emotion was apparent and the break in his voice sealed the deal. At the close of the battle Christina chose Mann to continue into the next round in the competition. He disagrees with the idea that the operatic singer is more about technique and less about feelings. This form of the art gives artists the ability to connect on a deeper level with audiences. The emotions have to come through to tell the story to an audience that speaks an entirely different language. It is his connection to the music and the lyrics that gives him the ability to relate the story successfully. Viewers are ready to see more of that emotion in tonight’s live round. In just a few hours, Mann and the other contestants who made it through the grueling battle rounds will be counting on their supporters to take them through to the end. He says of the next few weeks, “I can’t wait to show them the real me. I want them to know how much their support means to me.” Check him out tonight on the live rounds of “The Voice”, read more about him at Chris Mann Music, like his Facebook page, and follow him on Twitter.