Wakefield's Massone Makes Next Round on 'The Voice'

Wakefield resident James Massone blew away all four judges on Monday night's episode of NBC's "The Voice," qualifying him to compete in next week's live show.

In a performance of Cyndi Lauper's "True Colors," Massone battled Wade Brown, Jr., of Huntsville, Alabama for the chance to become one of 24 contestants to move on in the competition.

Massone, who grew up in Wakefield, MA, works at his father's auto body shop in Malden, but has always dreamed of becoming a singer.

"While working hard for my father in his auto body shop, he taught me that if you work hard and dedicate yourself, you can acheive anything you want," he wrote in his blog on The Voice's website. "As I saved money working for my father, my brother and me built a studio in order to develop my vocalization skills."

The Episode
Prior to the competition, Massone struggled first with learning the song - he did not know the words to "True Colors," then was overcome by nerves when he saw his idol, Ne-Yo, who had been called in to help coach him.

"Seeing Ne-Yo made me nervous, because I've been singing Ne-Yo songs since high school," he said.

But Ne-Yo said he was impressed with Massone's voice.

"You've got wings, and you can fly, but you can't fly if you're bogged down with nerves," he said.

During the final rehearsal between Brown and Massone, the duo actually moved their five-time Grammy nominated coach Cee-Lo Green to tears.

"That song made me cry," he said. "I don't sing like that, so I can't help but be humbled by it."

After the performance, judge Adam Levine said he thought there was still work to be done, but that Massone's voice took over the performance. Blake Shelton also voted for James.

"I like that you already have your own merch, and you're wearing it," he said, pointing out Massone's high school letter-jacket style coat sporting his initials.

Christina Aguilera added she loved Massone's his tone and his inflections.

But the ultimate decision-maker was the pair's coach, Cee-Lo Green. Again, he was moved to tears.

"It's very difficult for me to do this," he said. "James, you came out so cocky and so confident, and it was amazing because you stuggled with confidence, but you blew me away," he said. "I was so impressed with you."

Ultimately, Green selected Massone to move on to the next level of the competition.

"I'm proud of myself because I was so nervous before," Massone said. "But when it comes to game time, you just have to come out and do it. And I came out and did it."