My take on The Voice, Season 2-Who SHOULD Be Heading To The Live Shows?

All right, guys. I've been intrigued by NBC's "The Voice" since last year, ever since a big blues brother named Nakia got me to tune in,  and last year's performances got me to stay, as you found out last time.  Last year's performers were good, but the competition this year has improved tenfold (as well as the playful "bickering" between the stars), and I'm glad more artists have the chance to compete this year (48 this year, with only 36 last year).

Therefore, I'm gonna put my two cents in and give you an idea who just might make the live shows this time around. The artists are about to head into what are called the one-on-one battle rounds, where two acts sing the same song, but only one is selected by the coaches to win and move on in the competition. But as to who should be around when the live shows start? Here's my blow by blow, starting with the "weakest" team, up to the strongest, and my top 6 for each team, along with a "wild card" that just might make the cut IF he, she, or they come up with a good round.....

TEAM CEE-LO-sorry, "RedZone," but the fact that it seems the team got a little weaker since last year, when it had powerhouse vocalists Vicci Martinez and Nakia. The team is known for being eclectic like its coach, but it needs to come out swinging out HARD, and right now. I hope Cee, along with advisers Ne-Yo and Kenny "Babyface" Edmunds (TAKE THAT, Simon Cowell, and especially LA Reid), can muster the strength this guys need. Anyway, its best six (in my opinion) for the live shows are...
6) James Massone-a young man from Boston with a pop-ish like voice to his quality (reminds me of the boy band singers of the last few years). His weakness is he needs to develop some power in his vocals.
5) Wade-he knows how to put an R&B spin on most rock/pop tunes, as he showed with the Amy Winehouse tune. But he also needs to develop his vocal strength.
4) Jamar Rogers-he sounds like a young Cee-Lo himself, just needs to polish his style a bit.
3) Staff Sgt. Angie Johnson-this military lady is bad to the bone, now just needs to carry that attitude.
2) Tony Vincent-a Broadway trained actor/singer who has the chops (as Christina eluded to, or "vocal ability," Blake), just needs to fine-tune his ability.
1) Juliet Sims-this is a rocker who knows she's got some serious ability, I can see her being another Vicci Martinez.
WILD CARD (in case one falls by the wayside)-Erin Martin
This girl has one of the quirkiest voices around (think another Macy Gray), and just might be able to capitalize on that IF she gets the right song.

TEAM BLAKE-Blake, you pulled off some surprises last year, most notably the runner-up Dia Frampton (and I admit to now being a fan of hers, thanks to her development). I hope you can do the same thing for yours, but you do have work ahead of you. Be glad your wife Miranda Lambert and singer Kelly Clarkson (TAKE THAT, Ryan Seacrest, and Randy Jackson) are there to help you out this time. OK, here's my picks...
6) Naia Kete-she herself has a very distinctive voice of her own, she just needs to right song to complement her.
5) Jermaine Paul-a great singer, for sure, but his problem is there's already one too many powerhouse soul brothers in this competition. And I hope he can find a way to get your voice (so to speak) in the mix.
4) Gwen Sebastian-this North Dakota country star could wind up being the next Jennifer Nettles, the way she's going. But she just needs some strong material to help her out.
3) RaeLynn-a little Miranda (much less a country-fried Xenia) in the making? That's definitely her strength here, being so young.
2) Charlotte Sometimes-took a minute to get used to her voice, but it's that different enough she could wind up being a top pick overall, period.
1) Jordis Unga-there's a good chance this lady could be another "wild card" for the Finals. If she keeps up her strong rock roots, she's got it.
WILD CARD-Lex Land, she's got a very distinctive jazz feel to her voice, a quieter and more gravelly version of Bonnie Raitt. Don't be surprised if she might get the right song coming her way.

ADAM'S TEAM-he had the success last year with Javier Colon winning the show last year. But I know he's got a tough road ahead, even with the fact he picked up three "home run" artists (what I call the ones who get all four coaches to discover them). If he's gonna win, he needs to get in the game and get them ready for the big battle, much less the battle rounds. Actor/singer Robin Thicke (a new star himself, and the son of actor Alan Thicke) and alternative rock "diva" Alanis Morissette are along for the ride, and hopefully these guys will also be....
6) Kim Yarbrough-hopefully, this R&B diva will be able to match her powerhouse audition, she just needs to focus
5) Angel Taylor-she's become a powerful singer, using her inner strength to get thru much in her life, and will hopefully use that same strength to do so here
4) Whitney Myer-she's mastered power and presence in her audition, much like a couple of my past favorites. She just needs to make sure her youth won't be a negative (and just might be the next Raquel Castro, actually).
3) Mathai-she also presents a strong presence and a great vocal ability. Blake called it right when he said she could be a star before long, even after The Voice.
2) Pip-how does a 19 year old with suspenders and a bowtie become the coolest kid since Urkel? By showing a vocal power and a unique choice in music styles. I think we have the next Justin Beiber developing (hate to admit it), folks.
1) Tony Lucca-he's an artist who really paid his dues, and I think that experience will give him a definite edge in making the live shows.
WILD CARD-Chris Cauley-sometimes, it is a little experience that gives an artist an edge in this show. As long as he's not going against Tony, he's got a shot for the live shows.

TEAM CHRISTINA (or XTINA, as we know it)-I had thought Cee-Lo would be the winner this go-around. But it turns out the diversity of artists Christina has this time, if she's not the champ, I know we'll hear about it, long and loud. And it won't be for lack of trying, much less advice from R&B/pop legend Lionel Richie and folk/country rocker Jewel. Anyway, my top picks.......
6) Johnathas-this is a smooth silky R&B artist that may be able to charm his way into the live shows.
5) Chris Mann-he's opera trained, but he's got to learn the material that will help him along, and make sure it's right for him.
4) Sera Hill-I think she's got some good R&B skills, maybe it'll help carry her into the live shows.
3) Lindsey Pavao-her voice is such a distinctive alternative voice, she might be able to use that to her advantage as well as Charlotte should.
2) Hayley and Leland, aka The Line-this duo knows how to have fun and still rock the house, as the coaches discovered. I hope that united spirit will carry them thru. (BTW, of all the artists I've watched, these guys are my "Number 2 Seed," which means it's gotta be THEM winning the season, if not...)
1) Jesse Campbell-an R&B version of last year's champ, Javier Colon, his sound is so smooth, so strong, so powerful. I have VERY little doubt this guy is THE ONE to beat this year.
WILD CARD-Geoff McBride-this guy has old school soul in his being, I have a feeling he might just make an impact with the right tune.

I miss last year's artists like crazy, true, but it's nice to know the show has evolved into the powerhouse show that it is. And it also make sure to have artists that are talented, but also have backgrounds that make you want to follow them along the journey, and beyond. Please keep this up, guys, and I'll forgive you coaches for that "Crazy" blunder there.  <G> This show is the perfect opposite to all the egos and stupidity the other talent competitions still seem to be stuck in. And from what I hear, The Voice and American Idol are now almost in a neck and neck battle for the top rated show of the year-and it would be nice to crown a new champion for The Voice, and the TV season in general. And I can't think of a more worthy show. That's my take, from the Wolffe's Den!  NUFF SAID!