A new start for The Voice winner

MANILA, Philippines - Life is a cycle of starts and stops. Craig Wayne Boyd began his recording journey after winning The Voice Season 7 last December. Now, Craig is not only armed with that country music vocal styling but also with a talent-show experience that will see him through from here on and onwards.

“To trust my instincts and go with my gut feeling on song choices and how I wanted to present the songs,” replied Craig of the pieces of advice coach Blake Shelton, who according to the singer is the “what-you-see-is-what-you-get” type of guy, had given him during and after his stint in The Voice, latest season of which is now airing on AXN Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 7:50 p.m. “I think that helped me out. And (I had) to trust myself which gave me the confidence. He (Blake) helps me out and says to surround myself with the best. And business-wise, I think that’s the best thing so far.”

That means collaborating with record producers and songwriters who have proven their worth in the industry. This is true with his soon-to-be-released debut album as The Voice winner.

“We’re actively putting songs together,” shares Craig. “Hopefully, I will be in studio here really, really soon. Picking songs and putting together songs — that process has been done.” The multi-instrumentalist singer is also touring the US and trying to get his music out to even more people. As for any collaboration with established and new artists, Craig says, “You have to wait and see.”

What can The Voice fans, in the US and abroad, expect from Craig’s album in terms of song line-up and themes?

With host Carson Daly during the live show

“I will be following very similar to the song choices I made on The Voice,” he answers. “You’ll hear similar themes I already performed on The Voice. But of course, these songs are from me.”

Looking back on his beginnings in The Voice, Craig, who already had a publishing deal with EMI and had done gigs, doesn’t think he was more experienced than the other contestants. All had an equal footing on the stage.

“I don’t know that I had an edge,” he says. “But I was definitely aware of the amount of hard work that it took and would take after The Voice, to be able to come out and work as hard as possible… As the show progressed, I gained more confidence. So I continued (and) I felt that I grew as the competition continued on. I felt I was growing and things were progressing. I gained more confidence with every round.”

Craig gave a good fight from the blind auditions, battles, knockouts to live shows and he never faltered until he stood side by side with runner-up Matt McAndrew. When his name was called as winner, the audience could feel the happiness Craig had and the triumph over a decision not to give up his singing career.

“It had become the financial struggle of trying to continue to play music on a scale I was trying to play and not seeing in return the money I was putting out,” Craig says of a struggle he faced head on before joining The Voice. “I was not  making enough money. I was losing my instruments, my guitars, and my house and things like that.”

The Voice had granted Craig the inspiration to stand up again and start a new phase in his professional life.

“I’m overwhelmed of the love and support from other countries other than the US,” he says. “It just blows my mind that you, guys, are interested in what I do. I’m humbled and grateful for that. I hope to continue bring (to others) my music and play for you, guys, in person… I will just stick to my guns and gut feeling on how I present my music. And hopefully, people will love it.”

What’s certain now is Craig will work hard and “put up songs that people can relate to.” His songs could be a source of inspiration or hope to the listeners and of happy thoughts like in My Baby’s Got a Smile on Her Face.

Asked about his decision to try his luck in The Voice, Craig has this to say: “I was drawn to it because in the title of the show, it’s about the voice and not so much about the way you look at the beginning and you know, some people were taking back with my really long hair, the way I dressed previously… But when Gwen (Stefani, his coach before Blake ‘stole’ Craig for his team) was working on a makeover and changing my appearance, I’d say hair can grow and clothes can change. But what should never change is what’s in your heart.”

Performing is what Craig always wants to do.