It has been years 7 years since I’ve been to Nashville andway too long since I’ve seen my friend and Illinois native Lauren Anderson who moved to Music City from Kansas City nearly nine years ago. She returned to Kansas City recently toparticipate in a monthly Lyrical Belles residency in the Gospel Lounge at Knuckleheads. The stars aligned for me to have her join me on the radio for a gabfest and a few tunes before she headed off to the bustling metropolis of Red Cloud, Nebraska.

These are heady times for Lauren as she was part of TeamSnoop on Season 28 of NBC’s The Voice TV show. We catch up on how her life has incorporated that crazy and uniqueexperience. American has now witnessed her powerhouse voice, raw honesty, and fiery stage presence.

Though her voice now lives in blues, soul, and rock,Lauren’s roots are deeply classical. She began piano at eight, sang in multiple choirs, and pursued classical voice through high school and college. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in vocal performance from Augustana College, including atransformative summer in Italy, studying Italian and touring as an opera student. Opera was the original plan—until she discovered she was meant to belt, wail, and testify through soul and blues.

Lauren pursued a Master’s degree in Music Therapy at TheUniversity of Kansas. She trained in jails, schools, and hospice settings while also working full-time as a preschool teacher and caregiver for adults with intellectual disabilities. Her master’s thesis explored the use of music therapy to improve respiratory function and quality of life for children withCystic Fibrosis.

Lauren survived a major medical crisis of her own. Afterdeveloping a blood clot caused by Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, she underwent decompression surgery that removed her first rib. Forced off the stage for six months and facing potential long-term nerve damage, she fought her way back to full recovery.

Enjoy this conversation with and musical performance by myfriend, Lauren Anderson!