Tom Jones might be 85 years old, but he’s certainly not past his prime. He still loves working with younger singers – and now you can win tickets to his shows
Sir Tom Jones is a hit with Gen Z thanks to The Voice.
Since becoming a coach on the ITV show, he’s noticed a lot more youngsters have been going to his gigs. It’s a thrill for him to still be getting new fans after so many years in music.
Tom says: “Because of The Voice, I’m getting across to a lot of people who wouldn’t normally see me. “There are a lot of kids who would have never gone to one of my gigs. But after they’ve seen me on The Voice, they want to.
“It’s a winning situation.” Tom is also a big hit with young contestants who compete on the show.
As you’d expect, they’re desperate to get advice from him. And he’s only too happy to impart some wisdom. “I like helping singers,” he says.
“When young people come up to me asking for advice, I’ll give them answers. I make time for them. I’ll talk to them and tell them what they should do to go forward.
“For me it’s a very natural thing to give young singers advice. I get great reports from it. I’m getting a chance to let other singers know the way.”
Getting such a big boost from The Voice has helped Tom continue to be one of the nation’s most successful singers.
The Wales-born star still regularly sells out big venues and festivals. Unsurprisingly, Tom is keen on cashing in by staying on The Voice for years to come.
“I’ll stay as long as they want me. I really love doing it,” he admits. Tom was part of the original line-up of coaches when The Voice first launched in 2012.
Since then he’s starred on 12 series of the singing contest. After doing it for so long, it doesn’t take him long to know if a contestant has star potential.
He says: “You can hear if someone can sing. It’s as simple as that. “When it comes to being a star, you don’t know it until you hear it. They just need to come through with some honesty. That’s got to come across.
“Once they do that, it’s like ‘wow’. You can hear it and that’s a wonderful feeling.” What makes Tom’s job easier is that all of the contestants can sing in tune.
Unlike some talent shows, producers vet everyone to make sure only very talented folk get to perform for the celebrity coaches.
Tom says: “They go through auditions before they get onto the stage, so they can all sing. “That’s the big difference between The Voice and other talent shows. All these people can sing.
“You won’t get somebody coming and think, ‘Argh’. The show gets rid of those people a long time ago. They don’t get through the first audition.”
The Voice is watched by four million viewers. Tom reckons that makes it the perfect way to start a pop career.
It’s a world away from what he had to do to get noticed in the 60s. He says: “Singing on The Voice is going in at the deep end. There are millions of people watching.
“You didn’t used to get that opportunity. Years ago you’d be singing in a pub at first. You wouldn’t get on TV until you had a record.”
Tom will be back as a coach on the next series of The Voice. The line-up will be different as Kelly Rowland has been hired to replace LeAnn Rimes.
“It’s exciting,” says Tom. If it was the same coaches all the time, it would be boring for the viewers. And it’s nice to work with different people.”
Competition time
YOU could see Sir Tom in action thanks to your Daily Star.
We’re giving away tickets to his gig at Newmarket Racecourse as part of The Jockey Club Live summer season. The music legend will be performing his biggest hits at the iconic venue on Friday. (SUBS AUG 1)
Tom is promising it will be a night to remember.
He told us: “Performing live is the centre of my life and I’m really pleased to be returning to Newmarket Racecourse to play to such a welcoming audience.
“The Jockey Club Live shows are exciting dates in my calendar… the fans really enjoy the day so are always sensational. “I can’t wait to spend a summer’s evening with everyone this August.”
There are 13 pairs of tickets up for grabs and the competition closes on Sunday, July 27 at 11.45pm.
For more details visit dailystar.co.uk/sport/horse-racing
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
