Door County’s DJ Hope Reyes Auditions for ‘The Voice’

Hope Reyes practices for her audition for NBC’s ‘The Voice.’

DJ Hope Reyes keeps the party going into the wee hours of the morning with a voice that seems made for radio. Between amateur karaoke singers’ renditions of “I’ve Got You Babe” and “Copacabana,” Reyes takes up the microphone and rocks songs by country artists, rock artists, and everything in between – from “I Hope You Dance” by Lee Ann Womack to “Don’t Stop Believin’” by Journey.

The talented singer, DJ, and mother recently sent in a video audition to NBC’s popular show The Voice. Someone liked what he or she saw – Reyes has been asked to audition in St. Louis, Missouri.

Before she hops on a plane to pursue her dreams, Reyes spoke with writer Sally Slattery about singing, The Voice, and motherhood.

Sally Slattery (SS): How did singing become such a part of your life?

Hope Reyes (HR): I don’t remember not singing. It kept me content in private moments as a child and young adult. The older I got I realized it was mostly therapeutic, I learned that I sang with most convincing power, drawing tears and goosebumps when I was most focused and stressed. I had more to give. Singing has been my life. I was lucky to have karaoke to turn to for my outlet, or God knows where I would be with this. I guess I always demanded that singing be something close to me…what gets me in gear, what slows me down, and what makes me melt into my now.

SS: You sing, DJ, and lead karaoke – how did you get professionally started?

HR: Karaoke was how I started. I was 21, working at a comedy club in Green Bay, we ended up a pretty tight group. There was a father of one of my friends who was looking to expand on his karaoke business in Green Bay at the time and hired me on. I was trained by some of the best in the area, they taught me how to take this and get what I would out of it, how to defend myself, how to speak up, and how to take no s*** from anyone. Wow, I could go on and on. My husband threw DJ in there about 6 years ago, to take some pressure off of me physically. It has just been my job and it’s what I know best.

SS: What else do you do besides sing?

HR: What do I do besides sing? Dishes, laundry, cleaning, I am a wife and mom. I have two sons (14 and 5), and four step kids. We are responsible for a lot of kids! I do what a lot of moms do, just try to keep it together day to day.

I am going to get back into painting with my grandma, soon! I want to do more songwriting, and working with more musicians. Studio time is pretty fun. Just day to day right now. Not willing to let the dream rest.

SS: Tell me about The Voice, how did this audition come about?

HR:  Ever since American Idol started, I have been asked consistently why I haven’t tried out for something. Truth is, I have always been too old for Idol. More recently, The Voice question keeps reappearing – more recently at the Peninsula Pub (my home port). So, I filled out paper work, and got my audition. Figured, if it were meant to be, it would work itself out. I prayed, gave it to God…and promise to do my best!

SS: How are you preparing yourself?

HR: I am preparing by surrounding myself with people, places and things that I find most peace with. Calm, consistent, drama free. I am looking over songs, my strongest and my most requested have not always gone hand in hand. Finding the happy medium is what makes the craft. I am hoping after all of these years that I will have a good sense of what will work for me, and also be something The Voice is looking for.

SS: How can folks support you?

HR: Well, they need to keep in mind that I am a mom, and moms can’t just get up and do things like this without help. I must say, the response from the community thus far has been breathtaking. Kyle and Faye [Blank] have really stepped up; they have always had so much faith in me. They put together fundraising efforts to see that I make it to St. Louis, and home. We are winging all of this on short notice, but some amazing things have really come forward. The kindness, words of support, votes of confidence, input, hugs and smiles mean everything to me. With this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity I will do my best to make my community proud, as you have all given me so much already. Thank you!

The Peninsula Pub, located at 7899 County Road A between Egg Harbor and Baileys Harbor, will host a fundraiser event for Reyes on July 14 from 2 – 5 pm, featuring live music, a raffle, and silent auction. For more information call 920.839.2141.

To follow Reyes during her audition process search “DJ Hope Reyes” on Facebook.