Pictured above: Cameron Decker’s favorite songs to perform are “Feeling Good” by Nina Simone and “Home” by Michael Buble.
Courtesy of Cameron Decker
By Gabby Dacosta
Before, he performed regularly in local country clubs, private parties and bars along the beach. Now, Cameron Decker is singing on television to an audience of millions. The Tampa Bay artist hopes at least one of the four chairs will turn and give him a chance.
The 30-year-old musician, who often performs in places like the Feather Sound Country Club and The Vinoy, is auditioning in front of four celebrity judges in season 19 of the singing competition series, “The Voice.”
“It’s a musician’s dream come true to be able to perform on a big stage like that,” he said.
Although he hopes to make it far enough in the competition to make music on a larger scale, he said that just performing in front of the celebrity judges and having them hear his voice is “worth it.”
He’d be happy if any of the judges were to turn their chair around, but he said that his top choices are Blake Shelton and Kelly Clarkson.
With songs like “Feeling Good” by Nina Simone and “Smoke A Little Smoke” by Eric Church, Decker enjoys performing jazz and, occasionally, country songs.
He doesn’t know what song he’s going to perform in front of the judges yet, but he’s leaning toward the song “Home” by Michael Bublé.
“I want people to feel the positive vibe and energy I put out there,” he said.
Decker began playing the saxophone at age 7. He joined Sonny LaRosa’s America’s Youngest Jazz Band, a program that used to be for young talent, at the age of 12. The band would tour and perform at jazz festivals and concerts.
After auditioning for a vocal solo at the age of 13, he said, his band director told him to stick to the saxophone and never sing again.
He began singing again around 18 when his mother introduced him to Michael Bublé.
“I heard a Michael Bublé CD, and I was like, ‘I want to be just like that guy someday,’” he said.
With a good ear from playing the saxophone, he said that he trained his voice and tone to sound similar to Bublé’s style.
He’s also inspired musically by Thomas Rhett, Luke Bryan and Blake Shelton, and supported by his father, who also used to play the saxophone, and his grandfather, who played the clarinet.
Although he said St. Petersburg is “one of the best music scenes in modern times,” he hopes his presence on the show has a positive impact and inspires other local musicians to do more.
Whether it’s to get recognition or to accomplish goals, Decker encourages other musicians to not give up if they’re interested in being on the show.
“Keep on trying, as long as it’s what you enjoy doing,” he said.
So happy for you Cameron! My husband and I heard you for the first time in downtown St Petersburg. I thought the singer (you) was on break and we were listening to a CD of Michael Buble. My husband returned to the table and said “Holy Cow..that guy is great and it is no CD!! He has a great future ahead of him. We stayed longer than planned enjoying your music and were late for an appointment.
Wishing you the best!!
What a terrible thing for a band leader to say! Well, you’ve proved him wrong, Good luck!