Image Credit: NBC

As we reported yesterday, NBC’s The Voice is following the lead of smash singing competition American Idol, planning to send their best and brightest out on the road following the show’s finale Wednesday night.

The eight finalists–Vicci Martinez, Dia Frampton, Nakia, Xenia, Beverly McClellan, Casey Weston, Frenchie Davis, and Javier Colon–will anchor The Voice Live on Tour. Unfortunately, the show’s esteemed squad of coaches, Adam Levine, Christina Aguilera, Cee Lo Green, and Blake Shelton, will not be joining them. Apparently talks broke down because compensating stars of that caliber would be too costly (and also, Blake and Adam have tour and promotional commitments of their own this summer).

That said, the eight finalists have proven they’re ready for the big stage: I could listen to Javier Colon sing his soulful cover of “Time After Time” or “Angel” all day. Same for Beverly McClellan and her headbanging rendition of “I’m the Only One.” These guys are worth seeing, even without Mr. Levine hummingbird vocals or Ms. Aguilera’s sassy theatrics.

The tour’s budget likely won’t be as robust as the millions spent on each episode of the show, so count on there being a lot less Hollywood sheen on this outing. But as they saying goes, good music trumps everything. The key question is, without all the bells and whistles NBC’s production crew provided and sans the guidance of veteran superstar talents, can the final eight give stellar performances nightly? I think so.

Which Voice star are you guys looking forward to seeing hit the stage this summer? And what songs should they sing?Anything or anyone you think would be better left off the setlist?

By the way, whoever wins on tomorrow’s episode will make an appearance The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on Thursday, July 7.

Read more:
InsideTV Podcast: Picking who should win and will win ‘The Voice.’
Miranda Lambert set to duet in ‘The Voice’ finale
‘The Voice’: What you didn’t see on TV