Vernon Hills singer preps for next round of “The Voice”
Since Vernon Hills singer Jamie Lono first appeared on NBC’s “The Voice” last month he’s gained thousands of new followers online, been discovered by the national press and contacted by blues legend Buddy Guy.
Most days, however, he can still be found behind the counter at the Vernon Hills Potbelly’s, making sandwiches and living a pretty normal life, with a bit of stardom served on the side.
After being selected for Cee Lo Green’s team on the reality show in February, Lono has heard from his celebrity mentor a few times on Twitter and been busy recording original songs.
Next up for the 22-year-old singer and guitar player: The Battle Rounds, where Lono will face another member of Green’s team in a duet. Only one of them will move forward to the live shows where America will vote.
Lono has already taped his Battle Rounds segment, but he isn’t sure which week it will air and isn’t allowed to say how he did. The Battle Rounds will air all month, and eventually will narrow the field of contestants from 48 to 24.
He did say that this performance was the most nervewracking yet.
“It was more of a mental game where the only person I was competing with was myself. That was the hardest part for me,” Lono said.
No matter his future on the show, Lono is already looking ahead to recording an album, something he said fans have been requesting for weeks.
He also has been singing at Potbelly’s restaurants around Lake County. He posts dates of his appearances on his Facebook fan page.
Suburban fans also may know Lono as Jamie Thompson, a 2007 graduate of Vernon Hills High School. The singer changed his name as he explored his music and found himself.
“I feel like I’ve changed as a person. ‘Lono’ means god of peace and music, and that’s something I would like to represent onstage,” Lono said last month.
Support for Lono has been pouring in, ranging from old friends Lono lost touch with to Buddy Guy.
Guy contacted Lono on Twitter and later had an assistant reach out, inviting him to a future meeting.
“It’s just unreal, I never would have dreamed of that,” Lono said.
Last week, “Entertainment Weekly” named him one of the top 10 contestants to watch on “The Voice.” His cover of “Folsom Prison Blues” made the top 50 songs on iTunes in the days after his audition aired last month.
“I don’t think anyone expected it, I think I just took America by surprise,” Lono said.
Although he used to struggle with his confidence, the show has been a game-changer.
“People may have said I was a good musician, but I don’t know if I believed them,” Lono said. “Then you go on the show and hear that from Cee Lo Green and Buddy Guy and record executives and it finally gets through.”
Whether Lono moves onto the live shows of “The Voice” or not, fans will have to tune in to see, but Lono said either way he appreciates what the show has given him so far.
“It’s been tremendous and helped me move forward. It helped me start my career.”
Logo and his band The Feel Good Nation will headline a concert at 6 p.m. Saturday, March 18 at The Beat Kitchen, 2100 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago. Tickets are $10 and available at beatkitchen.com.