MBHS graduate competes on The Voice
Growing up in Mountain Brook, Sarah Simmons was always hearing that she had a gift. When she performed at Crestline Elementary, in musical theatre at Mountain Brook High School or in Summerfest (now called Red Mountain Theatre), people would tell her she should be on American Idol.
At the time, she would shy away from the idea of TV fame. But when the door opened wide for the opportunity last year, the 2008 MBHS graduate walked through.
The president of her school, Memphis’ Visible Music College, Ken Steortz (also the founding guitarist for Christian rock group Skillet) recommended her to The Voice, and then Ardent Recording Studio seconded her for the recommendation.
And so Simmons, 23, became one of more than 40,000 people in the U.S. to audition for Season Four, then one of around 300 to travel to California for executive auditions, and finally one of the 122 blind auditions that were filmed in October and are now airing on NBC
Her episode aired Tuesday night, March 26 as she sang Joan Osbourne’s “One of Us.”
In an interviewing on The Voice’s YouTube channel, Simmons said she did not feel funny or nervous like she thought she would.
“Right when the doors opened I felt this immense amount of peace come over me, and all my nerves were gone…” she said. “My heart was beating so hard and deeply, and I was thinking about all the ups and downs and all the beauty I had lived up until that moment. I just sang my soul out.”
All four judges turned their chairs around to indicate they wanted her on the show – two within 30 seconds, and the second two at the one-minute mark.
Shakira said the softness and sentiment of Simmons' voice carries, but at the same time it can go raspy and dirty, adding that is what American radio needs today.
Usher called her "shocking" and said he was impressed how she sang such conviction and passion.
Afterward, Simmons chose Adam Levine of Maroon 5 as her coach for the rest of her time on the show.
“With Adam I felt he really could see the depth of my gift,” Simmons said in an interview posted on The Voice on NBC's YouTube channel. “I really believe that he can not only vocally help me learn more and grow more into it but that he can push me forward in the music. I felt a deep, genuine care from him when he started speaking to me.”
Simmons’ mom, Peggy Jones, is proud to talk about how people have always been mesmerized by her daughter’s voice and noted that Simmons taught herself to play piano and guitar by ear.
“I think people can feel her heart when she sings,” Jones said. “That’s the way she’s always been. People just gravitate toward her.”
When asked what her daughter’s aspirations are, Jones said Simmons just wants to sign and perform.
“She likes for people to know there is love and hope in the world. She is all about loving people.”
Sarah’s mom and step dad, Peggy and Barry Jones, reside in Mountain Brook. Her siblings Jessica Simmons, Ballard Jones and Hayden Jones are all MBHS graduates. Jessica and Ballard still live in Birmingham.
The Voice airs Mondays and Tuesdays at 7 p.m. on NBC. To follow Simmons’ journey on the show, follow her Facebook page and @SarahSimMusic on Twitter.