FOR years, Cherry Green never imagined himself standing beneath the bright lights of a television talent show, waiting for some of the biggest names in music to decide whether his voice was good enough.
In fact, auditioning for The Voice Australia was never really part of the plan.
But when the 25-year-old Ipswich performer finally took that chance, the result was a moment that could prove another major step in a remarkable journey from feeling like an outsider to finding his place on one of the country’s biggest stages.
“Respectfully, no,” Green laughed when asked whether The Voice had always been a dream.
“I’ve always loved the competition. We used to watch it with my family … but it wasn’t a thing that felt like me.”
Once Green stepped onto the stage, however, years of performing instinct kicked in, followed by four chairs turning and deciding on joining Richard Marx’s team.
For Green, however, The Voice represents much more than television exposure, with music the constant through some of the most difficult periods of his life.
Growing up feeling isolated and struggling to connect with those around him, Green found companionship in artists including David Bowie, Little Richard and Chuck Berry.
“I’ve always felt very lonely,” he said.
“But having music always felt like there was someone who’s like, ‘I know how you feel.’
“It’s almost like someone’s putting out a hand to be like, ‘Hey, you’ve still got time on this Earth.’ ”
Green’s path towards a career in music has not always been readily accepted, having previously spoken to Local Ipswich News about having grown up in a cultural environment where pursuing music was not necessarily viewed as a realistic career, and where being different could make him a target.
He remembers being labelled “weird”, a “rebel” and worse.
Ipswich audiences have already been given a glimpse of what Green is capable of.
Along with fronting band Riot Revolver, he was also cast in the role of Lola for Switch Up Production’s production of Kinky Boots before having to step down from the role due to filming.
Despite The Voice putting the spotlight firmly on Green as a solo artist, he has no plans to leave his bandmates behind.
“I got very lucky that I found these guys so I can write music and I can perform and create things together,” he said.
Perhaps the biggest change since stepping onto The Voice stage has been Green’s relationship with the city he calls home.
“It’s moments like this where I finally feel connected to a city,” he said.
“I feel like now, finally, I have a very deep respect for this place. This is where I was pretty much raised.
“I think it’s really beautiful. I feel very connected to it, even deeper than I was before.”
