https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=toVAz-BXbSI
Brought back into full-time performing after an eight-year music hiatus, Kaleb Lee Scharmahorn is competing again tonight on ‘The Voice’ and planning a return to Marshall County.
Scharmahorn — the Marshall County native known to millions as simply Kaleb Lee — is one of 12 musicians competing on NBC’s ‘The Voice’ tonight (Monday, April 23). The 2004 Marshall County High School graduate thanked area supporters during an interview Saturday, saying the support continues to change his life.
“We don’t know how yet, but it’s definitely changed the outlook of at least the near future and what the next few weeks and years look like,” Kaleb said Saturday. “I’m excited. I’ve gotten a lot of great feedback with the show and exposure and things that can come out of that. There’s a lot of opportunity to get back into music full-time and make it something that it wasn’t.
“I was doing music before and it’s just a tough road to go down with a family. If I was to get back into music at this stage in my life, it would’ve taken something like this to propel me into it.”
Kaleb and wife Meagan, an Indiana native, currently reside in Florida with their three children. In a previous interview, Meagan said she had been traveling back and forth been production of ‘The Voice’ in Los Angeles, California and their family home.
Encouragement from Meagan and other family members have helped the singer become one of the final 12 performers.
“Honestly, what’s gotten me here through all of this is the support of my wife, my family and friends,” Kaleb said. “I quit music as a career about eight years ago, but over these last eight years it’s been friends and family — specifically my wife and parents — that push me and say ‘You need to give it another shot.’
“It’s one of those time’s where they say ‘I told you so’ but not in a bad way.”
Kaleb said there was a void after he stopped performing, but encourages other performers to find ways to make it work. For him, a return to music came after the show reached out in 2017.
“We started this whole thing in August of last year,” Kaleb said. “‘The Voice’ casting department actually reached out after they found a video of mine online and asked me if I’d be interested in auditioning. It’s an exciting time for me and my family, but it’s been a lot. We’ve got three kids at home and we both have our own businesses.”
Kaleb said after speaking with ‘The Voice’ representatives, he decided to fly to California to take part in auditions. Since then, he’s battled his way through competition and is currently on coach Kelly Clarkson’s team. He will perform Monday April 23 for a chance to advance again.
No matter the outcome, Kaleb said he’s already planning a return trip to Marshall County the first week of June.
“I’m going to do some autograph sessions and some local gigs, meet people and say thanks,” Kaleb said.
Downloading The Voice’s app will allow supporters to cast up to 10 votes in Kaleb’s favor. It’s available at https://www.nbc.com/the-voice/exclusives/app-s14.