Welcome to Pure America’s Got Talent

It’s been a little while since I’ve posted on this site. I’ve had a ton of things to say, but I just needed a little break after the show. Time to start kicking back into gear. The next season’s auditions will be starting soon and I’m planning on covering Britain’s Got Talent if possible too.

Enough about me. I think that most people would have to agree that Eli Mattson’s version of Walking in Memphis was one of (if not the) best performance on this year’s season of America’s Got Talent. Here’s Eli Mattson performing Walking in Memphis at the America’s Got Talent Las Vegas show:

Not the best video quality, but it was fun to remember how good Eli Mattson really was. He has a very nice voice and I hope he produces a CD really soon.

I was just noticing that it’s been almost a week since I posted to this blog. I think this often happens for me near the end of America’s Got Talent. Not exactly sure why that happens, but it does. This year I think it was probably because I was in mourning/denial that America could have screwed things up so bad that they’d kick off my Jessica Price. Yes, she is mine.

Ok, she’s not really mine at all. I don’t know her aside from what I’ve seen on TV, read on Jessica Price’s myspace page and other online sources. I guess it’s like picking a horse in the Kentucky derby. You kind of grow fond of them and want them to win and so you feel like you somehow have some connection with them. The best I can boast is that I’m on the first page of google for a search for Jessica Price.

You can imagine my jealousy of John Gonzalez who did a full video interview of Jessica and even hosted a America’s Got Talent live chat during the show today. I wanted to stop by the chat, but 1. my kids came first (as so they should) and 2. since America’s Got Talent doesn’t start here in Vegas until a couple hours after Michigan, I didn’t want to hear any spoilers about the show.

It’s ok, I’m not really mad at John. He’s been very good to me and my blog. Now let’s just see if he can hook me up with an interview with Jessica. What do you think John?

Well, I’ll end my mourning by posting John Gonzalez’s interview of Jessica Price and then 2 Jessica Price “music videos”

Video of Jessica Price performing her song “You Are With Me” at home in Freeport, Mich.

Video of Jessica Price performing her song “Lost in a Dream” at her home in Freeport, Mich.

One day when Jessica is famous, you can say that you heard her first on Pure America’s Got Talent.

P.S. Jessica, if you read this and somehow end up performing as a surprise guest at the America’s Got Talent Las Vegas Show my wife and I would love to take you for dinner.

Tonight’s America’s Got Talent Semis wasn’t nearly as captivating as last night’s America’s Got Talent semis. However, still quite entertaining to watch and one or two that should make it quite a ways. The following acts performed on this show: Beyond Belief Dance Company, Zooperstars, Jonathan Arons, Daniel Jens, Queen Emily, Paul Salos, Wright Kids, Kazual, Slippery Kittens, and George the Giant.

Here’s the video of their semi final acts:

**Click on the arrows on the side to skip to the next act.

Here’s a link to find all the videos of the America’s Got Talent semis.

Look for a full evaluation of tonight’s performances in the next couple days.

I just posted the video of Jessica Price’s semifinal performance. Then, I realized that I could post all of the videos from tonight’s America’s Got Talent in one post. Not too bad.

In the following video you’ll see the America’s Got Talent semifinal performances of:
Extreme Dance FX
James Gang
Derrick Berry as Britney Spears
Elite
Cadence
Ronny B
Jessica Price
Shimshi
Neal Boyd
DC Cowboys

Extreme Dance FX - I’m amazingly surprised by how much I liked this act. By the time the judges finished with them I was almost crying. Don’t ask me where that came from. I guess I just felt for them working so many hours to try and be successful. I hope they stick around for a while.
James Gang - I’m really surprised that this act wasn’t shown more on the previous episodes. I think that will be a major disadvantage for them. They definitely have something unique that I’d like to see more, but I’m afraid this performance isn’t probably enough.
Derrick Berry as Britney Spears - Just not my thing. Bad choice of song and I just don’t like Britney Spears so I’m completely biased.
Elite - Cute little act, but looked a little too fake for me tonight. A few cool little moves, but it looked too programed to me.
Cadence - Interesting and the water was a nice touch, but just hard to really really enjoy since I’ve seen Blue Man live and Blue Man Group is so much better of a production.
Ronny B - Complete joke of the show. The Kashif of this season and should have never made it through. For once, I agree with the Hoff.
Jessica Price - You already know she’s my favorite. You can read my other thoughts on Jessica’s semi performance in the previous post. I still love her.
Shimshi - A little slow to get to the point and he needed to explain the trick a bit more. I thought he tore the card and was going to put it back together later. It wasn’t until the end that I realized the tear was to just make sure he didn’t swap cards. If he cleared that up I wouldn’t have been as disappointed with the trick since I wanted to see the card go back together. I disagree with Piers. The card trick was fine if it had been executed correctly.
Neal Boyd - Quite the singer. Good choice of song. I wonder if all the high praise from Piers and the judges will stop people from voting for him. Wouldn’t be the first time the judges have ruined a great talent.
DC Cowboys - Not quite as much of a joke as Ronny B, but still not good. It seemed like guys trying to girls’ dance moves. Didn’t feel right. Didn’t look right. Let’s hope they’re done. I really don’t want to watch them anymore.

Since Julienne Irwin is probably my favorite ever contestant on America’s Got Talent (we’ll see if Jessica Price can dethrone her), I was definitely curious as to what Julienne Irwin was up to since leaving the show a year ago. Thankfully a local news crew did a little update on the whereabouts of Julienne Irwin:

It was interesting to know that Julienne Irwin went on tour with Kenny Rogers. Best of luck Julienne in Nashville. It’s a tough town, but I think you have the personality and incredible talent to make it. Just keep at it.

It looks like Julienne has already started recording a couple songs and music videos. I came across this one called “Tell Me Why” Lyrics & Music by David Smart & Christian Lloyd with video provided by Brad & Brian Thompson of Segami

Man alive does she have one of the most pure and excellent voices I’ve heard. I can’t wait to see what else she’s able to do in the future.

I also found this video of Julienne Irwin and Chris Richey singing God Bless the Broken Road:

I love seeing Julienne and other America’s Got Talent contestants in a more intimate setting. Not to mention, I bet that’s a memory that Chris Richey will have for his entire life.

I also happened across this video of Julienne being interviewed last year after the AGT season. How can you not like Julienne?

We’ll be watching for Julienne’s album to come out. Also, this is just the first of many posts I plan to do highlighting where the various America’s Got Talent acts are now.

If you’re like me, then you’re really sad to have the Russian Bar Trio get injured and unable to continue with the show. Here’s a link to see a video of the Russian Bar Trio. With such talent, it’s sad to see them not be able to continue on with the show. I hope that they either come back for the finale of America’s Got Talent or come back to compete on the show next year.

Since the Russian Bar Trio couldn’t continue on, America was given the chance to vote for the “wildcard” act that will be the last member of the America’s Got Talent Top 40.

Here’s your chance for your favorite AGT wildcard act:

If you’ve forgotten any of the America’s Got Talent wildcard acts, then below you’ll find videos of all the America’s Got Talent wildcard acts.
Read more…

Someone has compiled a nice short video of America’s Got Talent top 40 results show. It’s in 2 parts and shows almost all of the top 40.

Part 1 - America’s Got Talent Top 40

Part 2 - America’s Got Talent Top 40 (starts with my favorite contestant Jessica Price)

Here’s the list of acts in the top 40. I’m missing a couple of them, but this is what they showed on the results show:
Jonathan Arons, New York, New York (dancing musician)
Indiggo from New York, New York (twin singers)
Nuttin’ But Stringz, Jamaica Queens, New York (musicians)
Kaitlyn Maher, Ashburn, Virginia (four-year-old singer)
Slippery Kittens, Salt Lake City, Utah (burlesque dancers)
Jonathan Burkin, Clyde, Ohio (baton twirler)
Derrick Barry, Modesto, California (Britney Spears impersonator)
Sick Step, Los Angeles/ Orange County, California (dance crew)
Extreme Dance FX, West Covina, California (dance group)
Neal E. Boyd, Silkeston, Missouri (opera singer)
Eli Mattson, Door County, Wisconsin (singer/musician)
The Taubl Family, New Haven, Connecticut (musicians)
D.C. Cowboys Dance Company, Washington, D.C. (dance group)
Joseph Hall, Lincoln, Nebraska (Elvis impersonator)
Beyond Belief Dance Company, Mesquite, Texas (dance troupe)
Paul Salos, Garland, Texas (Frank Sinatra impersonator)
George the Giant, Bakersfield, California (giant/side show performer)
Jessica Price, Freeport, Michigan (singer/musician)
Alex “Elite” Pyles, Galax, Virginia (martial arts)
Sarah Lenore, Plymouth, Michigan (singer/musician)
Flambeaux, New York, New York (fire performance artist)
The James Gang, New York, New York (performance artists)
Texas State Strutters, San Marcos, Texas (dance troupe)
Ronny B, Honolulu, Hawaii (singer/dancer)
Queen Emily, Stockton, California (singer)
The Cadence, Springfield, Missouri (drummers)
The Tapping Dads, Temecula, California (tap dancers)
Shimshi, Las Vegas, Nevada (magician)
Matthew Piazzi, New York, New York (impressionist)
Kazual, Columbus, Georgia (boy band)
Shequida (Gary Hall), New York, New York (operatic drag queen)
The Wright Kids, Rocky Mount, Virginia (family band)
Michael Strelo-Smith, Castro Valley, California (opera singer)
Spc. Daniel Jens, Milwaukee, Wisconsin (singer/musician)
Bruce Block, St. Joseph, Michigan (performance artist)
Dorae Saunders, Columbia, South Carolina (Tina Turner impersonator)
Bryan Cheatham, Dallas, Texas (singer)
ZOOperstars, Louisville, Kentucky (acrobatic dance troupe)
Dallas Desperados Dancers, Dallas, Texas (cheerleading squad)

Now we’ll just have to wait until after the Olympics to see them.

Jerry was correct when he said that this was the singularly most exciting act that he’s seen on America’s Got Talent. This russian bar trio just left my mouth gaping open in awe of what she was able to do. I can’t even begin to think how you learn this.

Take a look at the video of the Russian Bar Trio from America’s Got Talent

Along with that, I found another video of the Russian Bar Trio from a show in Canada.

The thing that astounds me most is that I have never seen anything like it before. It amazes me that something so spectacular isn’t spreading like wildfire. I was so amazed by this Russian Bar that I figured there had to be more videos of Russian Bar acrobatics. Sure enough, I found this jaw dropping video of a few russian bar acrobats doing an extraordinary routine. Don’t believe me? Watch the video below that will knock your socks off. The finale is something that even though I’ve seen it, I still can’t believe they’re able to do it.

Here’s a bunch of interesting videos from America’s Got Talent.

Miss PussyKatt’s Grinding Audition - I think just the fact that it’s called a grinding audition is really enough to say about this video. Just watch and be awed (I didn’t say good or bad).

Another video of Miss PussyKatt from America’s Got Talent (works outside the US too)

Lil’Countrie and Page 1ne was one of the greatest most talented acts on the show. The only question is if they have enough tricks to last the to the end. Either way, I think they’ll definitely be exciting to watch in the future and they certainly did make New Orleans proud.

Ozzman - This impersonation of Ozzie Osborn is just awesome. Plus, the comments by Piers were absolutely hilarious. One of the best moments of the show I think. Enjoy the video of PiersOzzman

I think watching all of the various auditions on America’s Got Talent I think that Eli Mattson has to be the front runner. His voice is something that they’re going to just take to the next level. Many of the talents are one dimensional, but once they add a little production value to Eli Mattson’s performance he’s going to really knock it out of the park.

Enjoy the video of Eli Mattson’s America’s Got Talent Audition

Here’s the full video of Eli Mattson on America’s Got Talent