C’est la Vie. It just goes like that sometimes. As quickly as the opportunity came, it was gone again. Sadly, my trip through reality TV has come to an end; last night I was voted off of The Voice Of Germany by my coach Rea Garvey. On the show the night before there were two very “questionable” decisions. Little did I realize the same would happen to me last night.
The show itself was amazing. The atmosphere was tense, but very friendly, and everyone was on edge after the technical problems that occurred on the night before (the TV sound was apparently spectacularly bad). Happily, last night’s show ran without incident. My first performance of the night was the Team Rea group song “Can’t Stand The Silence”, which I pulled off very well. 
My solo performance came a few minutes later. I performed the song “Closer To The Edge” from one of my favorite bands, 30 Seconds To Mars. Although I was not 100% happy with my performance – the air in the studio was very dry, sucking all of the moisture out of my throat, and I was slightly hoarse – I thought I performed quite well. That line of thinking would in the end prove to be wrong, unfortunately.
As mentioned before, there were quite a few controversial decisions in the show so far, but one thing must be made clear: EVERYONE performed amazingly last night. The competition was always going to be hard, I knew that going in to it. Everyone who made it into the next round deserved to do so, so there are no hard feeling towards my fellow Talents at all. They are all exceptional singers and I congratulate them, especially my friends Kim Sanders (Team Nena) and Mic Donet (Team Xavier). I wish them all the best for the coming shows.
After reading some of the feedback on Facebook and Twitter, I see that the song I sang last night is causing a (surprisingly) little controversy, with some saying that I chose the wrong song to sing in the first live show. I’d like to address this here and now. First off: the song I sang was MY suggestion, of course after consultation with my coach. It was important for me to let the viewers know that I am more than just another black man who sings ballads. Casting shows are notorious for sticking talented people into stereotypes, and I didn’t want to be another stereotype. My coach agreed with me (at the time) and supported me. I refuse to be told by a television show who I am supposed to be! I knew from the beginning it would be a risk performing such a song after performing two pop ballads in a row, but it was a risk I was willing to take. Unfortunately, that risk didn’t pay off, as I was voted off of the show by my own coach, which was disappointing, but not unexpected, based on the comments he made after I performed my song. There were other things going on behind the scenes that gave me an uneasy feeling, but by that time it was too late to change anything.
If the decision to sing that song was right or wrong is irrelevant; if I have to choose between being Charles Simmons and expressing myself or being just another casting show contestant, I will pick Charles Simmons every time.
My good friend and ex – TVOG Talent Butch Williams said, “you play to win the game”. I honestly believe, though, that if you have to change who you are just to win a game, then it’s not a game worth playing. I took a chance, and I stand behind my decision. I said to myself long ago that I would never again change who I am just to be someone else’s image of who I should be. That’s not who I am as a musician or as a person. Now Germany knows what I can do, and that I’m a fighter. In that respect, I’ve already won.
“I will pick Charles Simmons every time,” too. You’re a class act & a winner – always were & always will be! Bravissimo, Charles!
Dear Charles, you are so right – never change who you for a game or a show whatsoever. All viewers of the show could hear that have a great voice and the ability to sing whatever you want and to transport the message. That not all of them liked the song – well, everyone to its own taste. But I think that there are many out there who love you for what you are and for what YOU want to sing. As you said, you can’t do it right for everyone so stay yourself and do what you want to do . You are pretty perfect for the ones who love you:) And like me, there are lots of people who got to know you through the show and admire the things you do:))
Hi Charles,
I have already given a statment on an other place here in your blog. Just want to say that you have performed really good. Maybe you wanted a bit to much yesterday. But as you said it was a challenge and the other competitors did also a good job. And I understand that you tried to do something different, and although it didn’t brought you into the next round, it was the correct decission. As I earlier mentioned, I’m really happy that you enriched the show with your appearance. Your family can be very proud. And I was deeply touched by your perfomance and what you said. You are really very balanced person. And this is what I saw. A very talented, friendly and authentical person. And normally I don’t watch casting shows in TV and I’m not one of those gys who are overwelming ‘stars’ or those who are intended to be in the future one. The question is why I give you attention. I’m really convinced that you should follow you way and do not stop dreaming a big star. For me you are it already. And you should be aware that not only me have recogniced that Charles has a really good voice and is a great artist. I now you are disappointed, but on he other hand, if you wouldn’t have taken the chance to be in the show, the people wouldn’t have the chance to see you. And what we saw was a pleassure. And we should say thank you. There is always a risk to ‘loose’ a game if you ‘play’ a game. I really want to see more of you and I hope that you take this breeze and start new projects and show the whole nation that yesterday somebody made a not so good decission. As I said I hope that I get the chance to see you here and listen to you live. Your voice can touch hearts and create a goose skin to us. Continue to do that, ok
we are waiting for that. And sorry that my English is maybe not that good to express the feelings.
I keep my fingers pressed for you, that you get the chance for a great career. You can make it, I know that.
Ralf
Hi Charles,
I just finished reading your blog and thought I might leave here a little comment (if I’m allowed)
I find really cool that you chose not to go the conventional way and sing another pop ballad, but a cool rock song.
So you risked and took a chance and I find that super important in life and specially as an artist.
In any case (my humble opinion) although you’re definitely a great singer and there’s no doubt about it, I think the fact that your voice was a bit hoarse and maybe that the song wasn’t after all the perfect one for your pipes that evening, made your performance not as good as the one from the other contestants that passed to the next round.
As I said this is of course just my opinion and I just felt like letting it out
You’re a pro and very talented and although a TV show penalizes you for one single song, a live audience doesn’t
Wish you all the best and keep on rockin’!
Heather
Charles, you are not only a remarkable singer, but also a man with a big warm heart. Chapeau for your statement above and your courage. You touched a lot of people with your talent. Thank you very much for that!
Hey Charles, we’re in London right now and couldn’t get to see you perform live.
We were then saddened by the news and we’re sorry you’re nolonger part of the competition.
I think you’ve come up with some respectful and very plausable words with which I totally agree. We must stay true to ourselves inorder to live and be who we are. You are an awesome singer and musician. There’s no doubt about that, and it’s always a pleasure performing with you.
I think it’s so obvious to everyone by now that this show is not only about “the voice”. I thought this one show would be different, but it’s not.
Nonetheless it has been an interesting chapter of endeavours, and we wish you all the best and more for now and the future.
See you soon
Jem
Wie JEM sagt: “it’s not only about the voice” . In der Show waren und sind viele Ausnahme-Sänger. Du hast mich nicht nur mit Deinem Können beeindruckt, sondern auch mit der Ausstrahlung eines Menschen, der in sich ruht und einen starken Charakter hat. Auch die Art, wie Du Dein Ausscheiden aus dem Wettbewerb aufgenommen hast, zeugt von menschlicher Größe. Bewundernswert.
)
Dich in der Show zu sehen , war ein Erlebnis. Danke!
Hope to see you again, somewhere down the road!
Dear Charles,
I loved your voice, your charisma and your smiley face since the first minute. I followed you on twitter, Facebook (now I am here lol). I was so sure you would be in the final round. I was also surprised by Xavier’s decision against Rüdiger the night before and I had such a bad feeling on friday that I decided to call for you like 20 times. When Rea voted you off…. hell. I was so SO disappointed. But since then I came to realize that maybe it was the best for you. Yes, Germany knows you now, I am sure you have a very big fan base now and I am sure you are gonna do your thing. Somehow I am very skeptical about the show right now… after some stupid decisions. I believe the coaches, maybe except Nena are going for the sure thing. As you said “Another black man singing ballads” type of thing.
Things happen for a reason and like my mom always says, when a door closes, another opens and this time you also have a window open. Go for it!
Much love….
T
Yes Charles, you say it exactly how it is. You know I’ve got your back on this 1000%. Big love and luck on the next part of your journey x
Dear Charles,
ich muss es dir sagen: Für mich bist DU “The Voice of Germany”. No doubt. Für mich warst du der Gewinner von dem Moment an, als deine Stimme erklang. Ich habe noch nie so eine schöne Stimme gehört und glaube auch, dass du – wie Rea so treffend sagte – eine “heilige” Art hast zu singen! Gänsehaut rauf und runter. Auch später habe ich mir nochmal die Aufnahme deines ersten Auftritts angesehen – und wieder Gänsehaut pur. Ich verstehe die Hintergründe dieser Sendung nicht, verstehe nicht, warum sie die BESTEN gleich von Anfang an rausgeschmissen haben (Pamela, Butch) – aber ich weiß eines: Für mich bist DU ‘”The Voice of Germany”.
Bleib so, wie du bist!
Andrea