A Lonely Coach Ch 01

For as long as I could remember I wanted to be a musician. My parents have videos of me singing as little as two years old. I learned to play the guitar at ten years old. And I haven't stopped playing it for the last twenty years.

After graduating high school, I moved to Nashville. Being from a small town in Oklahoma, Nashville was a big change for me but I quickly found myself fitting in with the local music scene and thought I was making big strides towards my dream. Unfortunately, that all came crashing down two years later when every single record label turned me down, most citing my young age and lack of experience.

Needing a change of pace and a chance to learn more about my craft, I packed up my car and moved to Los Angeles. I called that city home for about two years before hitting the road and, really, not settling down around at all.

For the past eight years, I've traveled the country, even going up into Canada and a few trips to Europe, playing shows and making music. I like to think I've become fairly well-known. My last self-recorded and produced EP, titled "Emotions of a Guitar Player," sold about 20,000 records. While I mainly opened for other singers or played at festivals and local county fairs, I could also sell out a 2,000 seat arena in the right city.

But, I was getting tired. While I had experienced growth over the years, I felt like I was stuck and would never reach the level I had once dreamed of. As I turned thirty years old, I promised I would give myself one more year before I moved back to Oklahoma, got a job working with my dad, and only played music on the weekends.

One of the things I had promised myself I would never do but finally gave in to, was trying out for a reality show. I always wanted to do it the "real" way. But, since this was my final year, I decided I had to go for it. I sent in audition tapes for American Idol, America's Got Talent, and The Voice.

I never heard from American Idol. AGT pretty much told me that my story wasn't sad enough, in not so many words. But, The Voice invited me out for a taping.

I almost declined it. I was on the road and the days they wanted me to be available in LA, I would have to fly across the country and cancel one of my shows. My mom convinced me to do it. I felt bad canceling the show, but promised I would make it up.

I waited two days sitting backstage at the TV studio where the blind auditions where held. If you've never seen The Voice, you sing blindly for four different "coaches," who are all musicians themselves, who can press a button and turn around if they like the way you sound. It's supposed to make it so that the show is more about the music and not how much what you look like or what your story is.

Past winners include Cassadee Pope and a bunch of other names you wouldn't recognize. Honestly, I was just hoping to get some more recognition from it, more so then I was winning it.

When my name was finally called, I grabbed my guitar, and walked onto the stage. There were about two hundred people in the audience who politely cheered. I looked at the four chairs in front of me, each with the name of the coach sitting in front of it. That season the coaches were Adam Levine, one of the original coaches from when the showed first premieres, Kelsea Ballerini in her first season, Michael Bublé in his second, and John Legend, who had done quite a few seasons.

My musical style was a mix of country, easy listening, and smooth rock. If I had my pick, Adam Levine would be my coach.

I probably forgot to mention, if more then one coach turned for you, they fought for you, and you got to pick what team you were on.

I nodded to the band to let them know I was ready and the opening cords of "I Want to Know What Love Is" by Foreigner started to play.

I was surprised when as soon as I started to sing the opening line, John Legend turned. When I reached the chorus, Kelsea Bellerini, and Michael Bublé turned. I was immediately struck by just how beautiful Kelsea was. Also, Michael looked star struck, which made me laugh.

The song ended and I had the biggest smile on my face. I rubbed my face in disbelief. All the record labels over the years that had turned me down and here I had three of the biggest recording artists turning around for me and wanting to work with me.

Adam Levine, the one coach I wanted to work with and the only one not to turn, spoke first as was custom on the show. "My good man, what is your name and where are you from?" He asked me as the cheers from the audience died down.

"My name is Gunnar Hooper, I'm thirty years old and I'm from Guthrie, Oklahoma," I told them as I slung my guitar behind my back.

"Wow," said Michael. "You don't sound like you're from Oklahoma. Your music style is a lot more rocky I feel. Is that where you want to be at?"

"I like to think that my music is a unique blend of rock and country. I actually lived in Nashville for two years before moving to LA. And I've spent the last eight years just out on the road, playing and making music," I said.

"Yeah, I definitely could hear that as you played. You seem like you have a very seasoned stage presence. How many shows do you play every year?" John Legend asked me.

"Oh, easily over two hundred for at least the last seven years," I said.

"Wow," all three judges said.

"So, have you had a deal before?" Bublé asked me.

Even though he asked the question, I couldn't help but look at Kelsea Ballerini as I answered, wondering why she hadn't said anything yet. "I have not had one. I've had a few reach out and talked to plenty but always get turned away for one reason or another. Actually, before I came on this season, I told myself this would be my last year doing music full time and if I didn't get a deal, I would move back home and move on with life."

"I'm really glad you didn't, Gunnar. Your voice is so beautiful and stunning to hear," Kelsea finally said. "I don't know how much more you want to go down the country route, but I would love to work with you and have you on my team."

I spent a few more minutes with the coaches giving me their sales pitch until Adam finally asked who I would be picking as my coach.

I looked at all three coaches as the crowd started shouting out who they wanted me to pick. Inside, I knew I should pick Bublé or Legend. But, I took one look at Kelsea's beautiful green eyes and said, "My heart has always been set in doing country music so I choose Kelsea."

"Oh my God!" Kelsea yelled as she jumped out of her chair and ran up the stage to give me a hug. As I wrapped my arm around her, I felt my heart beating in my chest, both from the excitement of making the show and from how pretty she was. She handed me a hat with "Team Kelsea" on it that she was giving to everybody on her team before turning to gloat at the other coaches and I was called off the stage by the producers.

Backstage, I was given a bunch of paperwork to sign, including NDAs saying I wouldn't talk about the show, the auditions, rather I made it or not, and a bunch of other rules I had to follow. I signed everything and was told that the producers would be in touch with me about dates for the next set of shows, which wouldn't take place until the spring of 2025, six months from the blind audition I just had.

I didn't expect to hear from Kelsea until the live shows but was surprised when she sent me a message on Instagram a few months after the audition. The message read, "Hey Gunnar, just wanted to tell you how excited I am to be your coach! I've been listening to your music and I still can't believe you're not already signed!"

"Thanks Kelsea. I wish I was, believe me. Super excited to work with you too! Can it be spring already?" I responded back, kind of in shock that I was talking to Kelsea Ballerini.

Over four months leading up to the live shows, Kelsea and I kept up a steady stream of conversation on Instagram, despite her being busy releasing a new album and touring to support that album. The producers of the show reached out to me in early February to let me know the filming dates and when I needed to be back in Los Angeles for the shows. The next round of the competition was called the battle rounds, where the coaches would pit two of their singers against each other to see who they liked more. Basically, Kelsea would have me sing with somebody else a song of her choosing and she would decide what one to keep on her team. The other coaches would have one steal each, meaning they could keep one person in the competition who was being let go by their coach, so I could still stay on the show even if Kelsea didn't choose me.

In preparation for it, Kelsea let me know what song she was picking for me and who I would be up against. She also let me know that me and the other singer would be meeting with her twice to go over the song and what she wanted to see and hear.

The day of our first meeting came and I went to a recording studio that had been set up for us. This session wasn't being recorded for the show, so we were all kind of dressed down and not playing for the camera. Me and the singer I had been paired up against, a southern rocker named Tyler Ambrose, who was a few years younger then me, each sung the song once for Kelsea by ourselves before she spilt up the song, giving us each parts to sing.

The song was "Sharp Dressed Man" by ZZ Top and I had sung it lots over the course of my career. It was obvious to me, and I think to Kelsea too, that I was much more familiar and comfortable singing it then Tyler was. I smiled to myself as I thought that I had this round in the bag.

The next day was an off day for me and I had managed to book a gig at a local bar in LA. I spent most of the day hanging around my hotel room before heading to the bar in the early evening. It was just going to be me and my guitar and I was excited to play that night. Shortly before the show started, I got a message from Kelsea that said, "Hey, I saw that you're playing a show tonight?"

I had a moment of panic as I tried to remember if that was against the rules of the show. I didn't feel like it was so I said, "Yeah, I am. Figured since I was in town, I could play one of my favorite spots."

"Nice. I'm on my way. I'll try to remain inconspicuous so I won't draw any attention from you," her next message read.

Shit, Kelsea Ballerini is coming to my show? My heart immediately started racing and I went to make sure everything was just perfect.

When I walked on the stage that night, I tried to find her out in the crowd but couldn't make out her face. I'm sure she was well hidden, if not surrounded by a bunch of people. I went about playing my set list, mostly my original song but mixing in some covers.

My episode of The Voice with my blind audition had played the week before and I had been using it to help promote this gig on my Instagram page, bringing in a few more fans then I normally had, which made for a much more exciting show for me. But, I did finally find Kelsea, just as I finished singing the song she had chosen for me, "Sharp Dressed Man."

She was sitting in a corner with what looked like a few friends, wearing a hat and a wig. But, her eyes were unmistakable. As we made eye contact, she raised up her glass and tipped her head, making me smile and have butterflies in my stomach.

I saw her slip out of the bar before my show ended, a tinge of sadness filling me. The gig ended with a standing ovation and I was putting my guitar away in it's case when the owner walked over to me and handed me my cut for the night, telling me thanks and I was always welcomed to come back.

When I walked out the back of the bar a few minutes later, I saw somebody standing close to my car and a few people off to the side. Worried about being mugged, I thought about turning to go back into the bar when somebody called out, "It's OK, Gunnar. It's just me, Kelsea."

I took a step closer to see that it was Kelsea Ballerini standing next to my car and, who I assumed to be her friends, standing a few feet away. "Oh, hey Kelsea. I thought I saw you leaving. Thanks for coming to my show. That means a lot."

"You're welcome," she replied back, still wearing brown wig under a pink cowgirl hat. "You put on a good show. Hopefully I can help you take the next step and to stop playing little bars.

By now, I was standing in front of Kelsea, who was blocking the back door of my car. "I hope so," I said. "That would be amazing."

She stepped out of my way as I opened up the door and put my guitar case in it. "I hope you don't mind, but I moved our meeting time tomorrow to be last in the day. I'm sorry that you'll be waiting most of the day, but I'll make it worth it," she said.

"You're the coach, coach," I said with a smile as I turned back to her.

"I'll see you tomorrow, Gunnar. Have a good night," She said as her friends started to call her name.

"Thanks. You too," I replied back as I watched her leave, her butt swaying in the tight blue jeans she was wearing. I caught myself staring before remembering that she was just my coach, she was in a relationship, and there's no way in hell I stood a chance with her. But, damn, was she cute.

The next day, despite knowing that I would be part of the last pair of the day to meet with Kelsea, the producers still wanted me there early, just in case something where to happen. But, I also wasn't allowed to watch her coaching the other competitors or talk to any of them about what she said. It made for a very boring day.

They did have a little catering area set up that most of us hung out in, picking at little plates of food. As the day worn down, more and more of my fellow contestants got to leave after their coaching session with Kelsea and the other coach in the building. I was sitting by myself, reading something on my phone when I heard a familiar voice say, "Are you bored yet?"

I looked up and watched as Kelsea slid into a chair next to me. "Not any more," I said, flashing her my best smile. "Better not let anybody know that you're talking to me. We don't want it to seem like you're playing favorites."

"Good thing we're all alone here," she said.

I looked around and saw that I had been there so long, everybody else had left the room. I had a vague recollection of the pairing before me being called into the studio and Tyler saying he had to go to the bathroom, something about his nerves. "Yes, we are," I said.

"Are you seeing anybody, Gunnar?" The gorgeous country music singer asked me as she ate an apple, dipping it in peanut butter.

"No, I am not," I told her, curious where this was going.

"Oh good. America is going to fall in love with you, especially all the ladies," she said as she stood up. I looked up at her as she stood directly in front of me and said, with a laugh, "We just might need to send you in to see a stylist."

Kelsea reached down, brushing some of my hair, which I kept kind of longish, out of my face. Her fingers briefly touched my face and I felt a tingle going down my body as she did so. I again watched her walk away, my mind wondering what was under the stylish red and black track suit she was wearing.

Another hour passed by before a producer finally came to get me. I followed him into the studio to see Kelsea going through some notes, the band up and moving around, some going to the bathroom and others heading to the bathroom.

"Tyler going to make it out of the bathroom in time?" I asked out loud, for anybody to hear.

Kelsea looked up and said, "One of the producers just went to get him. Apparently he's a little camera shy."

I just shook my head as I unlocked my guitar case and pulled out my guitar, just in case Kelsea wanted me to use it. As I tuned it, Kelsea came up to me and said, "I like the way you use your fingers."

Without thinking, I said, "Just wait until you see what I can do with them when I'm not holding a guitar."

Shocked and embarrassed at what I had let slip out, I looked up and instantly started to apologize. Kelsea held out her hand to get me to stop, giggled, and said, "I was starting to wonder if you had a dirty side to you or not."

"I'm sorry. I still should not have said that," I said as I stood up.

"Gunnar, really, it's OK," Kelsea said. "It made me laugh and I needed that after this long day."

I watched her as she turned to walk over to Tyler, who was finally out of the bathroom. Laugh at what? The thought of my fingers? Using them differently?

For the next hour, we practice singing the song together, getting it just right, and trying to find spots where we could stand out. The last play through of the day, Tyler and I hit on everything just right and we shared a high-five and a bro hug as Kelsea threw a pen at us while screaming, "How am I going to pick between you two?"

As soon as the producer told us we are done, Tyler sprinted for the door after thanking Kelsea for her time. The band and TV crew started to put away their stuff while I walked over to my guitar case.

"So, do you have any plans tonight?" I looked over and down to see Kelsea standing next to me. For the first time, I noticed how much shorter than I she was. I was just over six feet tall and she had to be half a foot shorter.

"Um, no, not really," I told her. "Why? Are you wanting to take me to a stylist right now?"

She giggled before saying, "No, that'll be after the battle rounds, if you make it. Actually, I've been inviting everybody on the team over to my apartment to eat some pizza, relax, drink a little, and to get to know everybody. I'll message you my address if you want to come."

With that, she said goodbye and turned to say goodbye to everybody else. When I got out to my car, I saw the message with her address, instructions to get into her apartment building, and a time to come. She wanted everybody there around seven, giving me roughly an hour to get to my apartment, drop off my guitar, and over to her place.

When I arrived at her apartment building just after seven that night, I walked over to the entrance and was buzzed inside. A security guard in the building asked who I was there to visit and for an ID, checked something on his desk, and called another employee over to escort me to the elevator. Another employee was waiting in there and pressed a floor button without even asking where I was going.

When we reached the floor that I hoped was the correct floor, I was immediately greeted by another security guard who again checked my ID before walking me down a short hallway. He knocked on a door, heard a response, and opened it for me, shutting it as I walked through it.

"Gunnar! You came!" Kelsea Ballerini jumped up from her couch and ran up to me, throwing her arms around my neck. I hugged her back before she turned and walked back into her living room.

"Where is every one else?" I asked as I looked around at the empty apartment.

"Oh, I lied. I just didn't know if you would come if I said it would just be me and you," Kelsea said as she sat down on the couch. She picked up a glass of red wine that was sitting on a coffee table in front of her and took a sip before saying, "I'm sorry about all the security. I don't have any when I'm home in Nashville but my record label and NBC insist on it out here."

"Yeah, that was certainly something. Kelsea, why did you invite just me here?" I asked, still confused.

"If you thought that was something, you should see Taylor's. Hers is absolutely insane. Come sit down, do you want some wine? I might have a beer in the fridge," she said, patting the couch cushion next to her.

I had a feeling of how this night might be going. Or, at least, how I hoped it would go, now that I knew I was alone with her. On one hand, I knew I should just turn and leave. On the other hand, I wanted to see how things progressed. And on the third hand, I had to make sure I was reading the room correctly and wasn't going to embarrass myself.