Live Blog: Josh Kaufman Sings to Win 'The Voice’

Hello and welcome to the final live-blog covering Indianapolis’s Josh Kaufman, who will give his last live performance for America’s votes tonight during The Voice on NBC at 8 p.m.  

This is the most important night of Kaufman’s budding professional career, and he’s earned it. He turned all four chairs during auditions, won battles, consistently performed well on the iTunes charts, and was always one of the first saved during elimination nights. What’s more, he has the support of Diddy—who informed his nine million Twitter followers to vote for Kaufman. The key for a Kaufman win is to continue the one thing he’s best at, which is consistent delivery.

Usual co-live blogger @jonscott81 is in transit, so I’m going rogue, but not in a Sarah Palin sort of way. Tweet your thoughts @JamesIvanLayne and they might find life below.

Here we go…  

Final thoughts: I don’t want to jinx anything, but I think you know how we feel over here. In terms of talent, there’s no question it’s Josh. We will see! Tune in Tuesday at 8 p.m.

10:01 p.m: Usher to Josh: “This is the representation of what The Voice is. It cannot happen that this guy doesn’t win.”

10:00 p.m: When he used his chest voice on that final note … wow. That is on par with Adele, seriously.

9:55 p.m: Nobody else currently in this competition would even dream of covering any Adele song. If Josh doesn’t win, it’s hard to believe the best vocalist did.

9:53 p.m: Josh Kaufman is about to give the most important performance of his entire life. 

9:47 p.m: Adam probably pre-wrote that final “speech.” Good thing Josh goes last! 

9:42 p.m: Whoa. Christina is alive again, and it’s with the classic Elvis Presley song “Can’t Help Falling In Love.” She was pitch-perfect even with her nails-on-a-chalkboard high notes.

9:40 p.m: I can’t say it enough. I don’t believe Christina is blown away by any of this, as she’s already extremely popular. 

9:33 p.m: There’s no possible way America is enjoying Jake Worthington and Blake Shelton right now. I don’t hate them. They’re just bland as all get-out. They’re singing “Country Boy Can Survive,” but I don’t see it as foreshadowing.

9:29  p.m: I’m excited for The Maya Rudolph Show. Saturday Night Live still isn’t the same without her.

9:23 p.m: I bet the young fans are shocked to see coach Adam with a guitar. However, he’s capable of “shredding.” Also, anyone else feel like Josh would’ve fit in with Usher and Adam during that soulful D’Angelo cover?

9:14 p.m: Blake Shelton is correct: Jake is honest and sincere, which thrives in country music. But country music isn’t known for vocal delivery. It just isn’t. 

9:07 p.m: I love you, Jake, but you’re just out of key. It’s sad, really. 

9:00 p.m: Christina and coach Adam Levine sing Goyte’s “Somebody That I Used To Know,” but the energy is still pumping from Josh’s previous song. 

8:50 p.m: Ha! Big words below from the first person to win American Idol.

This white boy can saaang!! Go Josh on @NBCTheVoice

— Kelly Clarkson (@kelly_clarkson) May 20, 2014

8:50 p.m: Indy and all-market fans alike, call 1-855-864-2303 for Josh.

8:48 p.m: Carson Daly to Josh: “It’s like you were possessed for the last four minutes.” 

8:45 p.m:  America picked Josh to sing “Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours” by Stevie Wonder—and he just set the bar for the rest. No surprise there. 

8:37 p.m: Haha! Josh’s kids thought he was away at Target this whole time. New sponsor?

8:31 p.m: Nobody from Shakira’s team is left. Do we have to hear from her? 

8:28 p.m: Jake going in and out of key during “Don’t Close Your Eyes” by Keith Whitley. That was karaoke at its best.

8:22 p.m: Josh and Usher are performing “Every Breath You Take” from The Police. And it must be awkward when you sound better than your coach. Sorry, Usher. 

8:16 p.m: Here goes Josh Kaufman! Usher tells him, “This is our moment, man.”

8:10 p.m:  Like last week, not a very solid vocal performance for Christina. None of the judges seemed authentic whatsoever. And she looks like Kesha.  

8:05 p.m:  Shocking that America picked “Wrecking Ball” for Christina when her “Hold On, We’re Going Home” cover of Drake was so much better.

8:02 p.m: There they are! Christina Grimmie, Jake Worthington, and Josh Kaufman will battle for the win within the next two hours.