THE VOICE OF CHICAGO'S GAY, LESBIAN, BI, TRANS AND QUEER COMMUNITY SINCE 1985

Now she brings her latest offering—Fear Nothing, showcasing all of her skills—to the Red Dress fundraiser this April.

Windy City Times talked with McClellan before her upcoming appearance.

Windy City Times: Hi, Beverly. I heard you grew up on a farm, so you're a big animal lover.

Beverly McClellan: Yes, I grew up in Gate City, Va. I was born in Kingsport, Tenn.

WCT: You played instruments right from the beginning, I read somewhere.

Beverly McClellan: Since I was about 5 with the piano.

WCT: Is music in your family?

Beverly McClellan: Yes; I have a thick bluegrass background.

WCT: How did you learn to play all of these instruments, from the French horn to the mandolin?

Beverly McClellan: I don't know. I hear it. I have an ear for it. I don't read music or anything like that. I just do it.

WCT: How did you get on The Voice?

Beverly McClellan: I got this email as a dare. They didn't think I would even audition for it. This was from the fella that records my CDs. He suggested that I do it.

WCT: Was it an open audition somewhere?

Beverly McClellan: No, it was done by email. I sent them a YouTube video and, an hour later, they called me. It was real fast. Suddenly, NBC is on the phone.

WCT: That is crazy!

Beverly McClellan: I know. It is crazy. How do you think I felt about it? I thought they were kidding. Next thing you know, I am going to Hollywood.

WCT: What was the process like?

Beverly McClellan: Within three to four auditions I was standing in front of Christina. She picked me. If more than one judge turns around then you have a choice on who to go with. She turned around first, honey, so that was it. "Oh my Gawd! That diva wants me on her team!" was what was going through my head. I had to do Christina so, sorry everybody else. Hands down, she defines The Voice.

WCT: How did it feel to get on the show?

Beverly McClellan: I was a bald diva—me and Frenchie [ Davis ] . It was crazy! We were standing there and didn't have any hair. It was so cool.

WCT: I met Frenchie last summer and she was so sweet.

Beverly McClellan: I just talked to her this morning. I love her. I will always have a family with these guys. We went through some extreme stuff together so how can you not?

WCT: Do you ever want to grow your hair out?

Beverly McClellan: No way. I don't want to know when I go gray.

WCT: How many tattoos and piercings do you have?

Beverly McClellan: I only have on piercing in my face and my ears of course but not sure if that counts. With my tattoos I have stopped counting…

WCT: Tell me about your latest album, Fear Nothing. It is so rocking and bluesy.

Beverly McClellan: Well, it better be. It is everything I have worked for. It really is.

WCT: Being an openly lesbian singer, did they try to downplay that on The Voice?

Beverly McClellan: Hell no—not just no, but hell no. They told me to go for it and be myself, tell America what you want them to know about you. Tyler Robinson came out on the show. Nakia was open about it as well as Vicci Martinez, and let's not forget Frenchie, too.

WCT: Have you watched the new season?

Beverly McClellan: Of course.

WCT: Do you have any favorites?

Beverly McClellan: Yes, I do. I love Jamar Rogers. He came from a bad background with drugs and contracted HIV. He was homeless for a while. He is on Cee Lo's team so I hope he is good to him. I got his number because I was so compelled to talk to him and tell him that it doesn't matter where you come from this is the time to shine.

WCT: How did you become involved with the Red Dress Party?

Beverly McClellan: They contacted me and my management. I am ever so happy and honored to be a part of it. I don't know one person that is not affected in some way by AIDS or HIV.

Visit www.chicagoreddressparty.org to purchase tickets for the April 21 event at the Joffrey Ballet Studios, 10 E. Randolph St., with a VIP red carpet starting at 8 p.m. Good Morning America meterologist Ginger Zee and actor/model Christian Carabias will co-host.