America's Got Talent watchers, remember Recycled Percussion? The group, which performs a high-energy show of, as the name implies, percussion on recycled items, is performing at Stevenson University on Oct. 19.
Tickets are $5-$8. Call 443-352-4302. The school is at 100 Campus Circle in Owings Mills. For more information, go to www.stevenson.edu.
(Photo courtesy of the group)
Sykesville singer Drew Stevyns, who made the Top 10 on the most recent season of NBC's America's Got Talent, will be welcomed back by his hometown on Oct. 7.
Stevyns will appear in Century High School's Homecoming Parade.
What a big, bloated finale America's Got Talent put together tonight.
With guest performances by Leona Lewis, Shakira, Rascal Flatts, Susan Boyle and others, montages from the audition rounds, a judges' interviews, group performance of memorable bad auditions, the show was packed full.
Sykesville singer Drew Stevyns learned when the Top 10 were trimmed to the Top 5 that he had not made the cut.
"I couldn't ask for anything more than this, these people really deserve to be here, this has been the best time of my life, and I just thank you for the experience," Stevyns told host Nick Cannon, looking unsurprised.
The fifth-place finisher was the Voices of Glory, a singing group featuring three young siblings who had started singing when their mother was in the hospital. Fourth-place was taken by the Texas Tenors, whose name speaks for itself. The act coming in third was Recycled Percussion, a quartet of musicians who make music on found objects.
Susan Boyle, performing in the U.S. for the first time after her stint on Britain's Got Talent, sang her new single, a cover of "Wild Horses." She seemed poised on stage, very natural, and hit all her power notes like a champ.
After all the buildup, the final two -- Kevin Skinner and Barbara Padilla -- finally learned which of them was the winner.
Taking home a $1 million prize and a contract for a headlining act in Las Vegas was Kevin Skinner.
I was pretty shocked. I haven't watched this whole season, so I don't know all of Kevin's backstory, but his singing just didn't seem that great, and Barbara Padilla's was amazing. What did you think of the finish?
Last week, I chatted with Sykesville singer Drew Stevyns as he waited backstage for the America's Got Talent results show to begin so he could learn whether he'd made the finals.
Last night, the Top 10 performed for votes for the last time, but they won't learn their fates until tomorrow night.
Drew performed "I'll Stand By You," and the judges thought he did an outstanding job.
The judges, however, seemed to think just about everyone did an outstanding job, even when they didn't. They fawned all over chicken farmer Kevin Skinner, but his singing was pretty terrible.
I thought Drew did well, but I think he might be outshone by some of the flashier acts that seem more to scream "Vegas!" than he does, especially Recycled Percussion and the Fab Five.
We'll see how it plays out on Wednesday. (Also, by the way, British everywoman singing sensation Susan Doyle will be performing.)
What did you think of last night's performances?
I talked with Sykesville's Drew Stevyns earlier today when he was waiting backstage to find out if he was making the finals on tonight's America's Got Talent.
The producers really dragged it out for ages and made it as tough on him as possible, but Drew did make the cut, along with Hairo Torres, Recycled Percussion, Barbara Padillo and Lawrence Beaman.
I just got off the phone with Drew Stevyns, the Sykesville resident who is in the Top 20 on America's Got Talent and finds out tonight whether he is making the Top 10. He was waiting backstage for the live results show to get under way.
On last night's show, he performed a rocking rendition of "Careless Whisper," originally by Wham and currently on the radio as a cover by Seether.
You find out whether you made the finals on tonight's show. How are you feeling?
I'm backstage waiting right now. I'm very nervous, but at the same time I think I put on a great performance. ... I think tonight is even worse than last night because at least last night I had some control over what was going on -- I could just go out and give my best. Tonight I just have to wait.
[Stevyns lived in Sykesville his whole life except for between the ages of 9 and 13, when he lived in England.] What was it like being in the Church of England Choir?
It was a very long time ago, but I think the main thing I got out of it was vocal discipline, working with other musicians.
How did you get started on your current musical career path?
I started writing songs in high school, when I was about 15 years old, played in multiple bands until I was about 25 years old, so then I went solo. Things started taking off, and I realized I could pay the bills playing music, which was a good thing.
Have you tried out for any other performance-based reality shows?
I tried out for American Idol, but I didn't make it, and I'm too old now, so I decided go for this.
How has the experience been?
It's been so amazing. I was't expecting any of this. I can't say enough good things about the experience so far, and my fellow competitors and I have gotten so close.
David Cook and Chris Daughtry got some blowback from viewers when they did harder rock covers of traditional pop songs and didn't get to acknowledge the arrangement's source. Were you worried the same might happen to you last night when the judges credited you with making "Careless Whisper" your own?
They were mistaken; it's actually the Seether arrangement. It's my favorite song on the radio, and I knew I had to do it. I realized as soon as I got off the stage [that I hadn't gotten to acknowledge Seether], and I really wish I had gotten a chance to say that.
You didn't get much airtime at the beginning of the season. Do you feel like that's put you at a disadvantage with viewers compared with some of the other acts?
I think to be honest, it's kind of exciting to come out of nowhere and not have people see you coming.
If you win, what plans do you have for your act?
If I win ... [he laughs]. I don't think I would change anything. I am used to playing four hours a night in bars and restaurants, so I think I would just keep doing what I'm doing, but on a larger scale, I suppose.
Do you have anything to say to your fans back in Maryland?
Basically, thank you for everybody's support. It means so much.
When you do get to come home, what are you most looking forward to in Maryland?
I can't wait to get home and get a real meal and see my friends and family. We've been living off sandwiches here!
(Photo courtesy of NBC)
I haven't been keeping up with America's Got Talent this season, but I just heard that Maryland musician Drew Stevyns made the Top 20 as a wild card. You can see his performance of The Fray's "How to Save a Life" here.
Have you been watching? What do you think?
Judge Piers Morgan said he thought that his performance this week was probably his best of his life and that while he might not have the best voice in the competition, he thinks Drew showed hunger and desire. Agree, disagree?
You can see more of Drew's performances from a couple of years ago on his YouTube account.
Bel Air's Julienne Irwin will perform at Monday's 2:05 p.m. Bowie Baysox game against the Connecticut Defenders. Irwin, a country singer who came in fourth on the second season of NBC's America's Got Talent, will sing the national anthem to start the game.
For tickets, call the Baysox box office at 301-464-4880.
Host Jerry Springer tells Terry Fator, Cas Haley and Butterscotch they are safe, which means Bel Air's Julienne's Irwin is out.
She says she isn't disappointed at all and that she's just getting started. "I'd like to invest in your future," Springer says.
They look back at her journey on the show. During the montage, she starts crying when her father starts talking about how proud he is. "Julienne, we have loved having you on the show," Springer says as he hands her a ton of flowers. "Don't worry; you'll be hearing a lot about her," he tells the audience.
Next, Springer introduces a performance by Stomp Out Loud. He says it started as a street act, and now they're performing in Vegas. A big group of people make music with boxes, garbage can lids, their feet and more. It's very hard to describe, so check out its Web site here.
It's time for another cut. Cas Haley is safe, as is Terry Fator, which means that Butterscotch is out. Jerry tells her she has grown very much over the course of the show and, in fact, "introduced America to a new kind of music." I can only hope he is talking about her personal blend of music, because if he's talking about beatboxing, he's way behind the times (and I'm not even talking about Blake Lewis). She says she's seen her dreams come true, and then Jerry introduces a montage.
Next, is a performance by the "audition all-stars," doing Queen's "We Are the Champions." Shouldn't they be singing "We Aren't the Champions"? This is just tragic and embarrassing. Jerry comes out and calls them "The Jerry Springer Show Dancers." Sharon Osbourne says, "These amazing people are what makes this show No. 1!" Was she watching the same horrifying mess that I was? That was not something to brag about.
Speaking of which, next, David Hasselhoff comes out to sing "This is the Moment." Yes, the moment when you wonder why he became a famous singer overseas. And the moment when you are wonder when this song is ever going to end. After a strange finish, they cut to Hasselhoff's parents in the audience. Next, Jerry asks the other judges what they thought. Piers says he loves The Hoff. Sharon says, "That was absolutely fabulous." OK, whatever, can we just have the winner, please?
Bianca Ryan, last year's winner, gives the final two a personal message about how much the show has made her dreams come true. (A familiar refrain this evening.)
Next, montages about Cas and Terry while we draw closer to the 10 p.m. mark.
And the winner is ... Terry Fator. The last surprise is that he is going play the Jubilee Theater at Bally's Resort in Vegas, since playing Vegas is his dream.
Bel Air, Md., singer Julienne Irwin was the last finalist to learn she had made it into the final four on this season of America's Got Talent.
The 14-year-old country singer beat out the Glamazons (four zaftig singers), Sideswipe (a martial arts dance troupe), country singer Jason Pritchett and soulful singer Robert Hatcher for the last spot.
I'll be back with a full episode recap, but I wanted to get our local news out there ASAP since I'm behind on the episode.
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Continue reading "Julienne Irwin makes 'America's Got Talent' finals" »
Before the performances, two acts have to go home on tonight's America's Got Talent.
The acts going home are the Duttons and the Calypso Tumblers.
Robert Hatcher finds out he is safe and then sings "Let's Stay Together." He seems like a nice guy, and he has a great story, but I don't think he's that great of a singer. He does pretty well with the big notes, but the rest are so-so to me. The Hoff says it's terrific, Sharon says he was better than last week, Piers says it was a very, very good performance.
Bel Air's Julienne Irwin finds out second, and she performs "Crazy" by Patsy Cline. She says last week was not her best performance and that it was a tough song. She says it is tough being the only kid in the competition, but she wants to be taken seriously as a performer. She says this is like school and that if you make a bad grade, you don't complain and you buckle down and work harder. She dedicates the song to her friends, who help keep things in perspective. She handles the lower register of the song pretty well, which is difficult. Speaking of difficult, this is not an easy song. One of the lines toward the end is a little rugged, but she closes strongly. The Hoff says she did really well tonight. Sharon says the song is too old for her and asks her to sing something upbeat next week: "Be 14." Piers says, "I don't think you will be here next week. ... Your voice is not yet mature enough to win this competition. I think it may grow into one, but right now I've got to be honest. I think you're going home." She tells Jerry Springer that the reason she tried out for the show is because she is a huge baseball fan and loves the Orioles and that she wants to sing the national anthem. (Which we already knew, because she told David Zurawik that last week!) "They better give me a call," she says. Yeah, get on that, Orioles! That would draw some people in.
Ventriloquist Terry Fator learns he is safe. He does a Dean Martin/Tony Bennett performance with his puppet. OK, this guy's impressions are pretty amazing, and since he can't move his own mouth, it's pretty impressive. I might have some words to eat from last week. Hoff is feeling him. Sharon is glad they haven't seen everything yet. Piers says his puppet sings better than most of the singers in the competition and that he even sang "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" better than Tony Bennett. He says he would love to headline in Vegas.
Cas Haley says picking the right song is crucial and he's going with "Easy" by Lionel Richie. He does it with a reggae beat, and it's great. Nice twist on the song without rendering it unrecognizable, and he's got a great voice. The Hoff says it was great. He's so the Paula of this competition. Sharon says she hates to use a cliche, but that he made it his own. Piers says he listened last week and that he can win.
Cruise singer Jason Pritchett learns that he is safe. He sings "If Tomorrow Never Comes" by Garth Brooks. Piers Xs him when he does that yodely thing with his voice on a note. The Hoff says he came back from the Xing very well. He also uses the non-word "disconcerning." It's "disconcerting." Sharon says he was rude. Piers says, "The challenge was, are you more than a cruise ship singer? You're not."
The Glamazons are next with "It's Raining Men." This week, they have backup dancers, Chippendales-esque dudes. It's cute and fun, the usual. The Hoff loved it. Sharon says it was problematic at the beginning, and it was fabulous in the end. Piers says based just on their singing, they'd be going home because they aren't great singers. But on entertainment value, sex appeal, etc., they should be going to the final.
Butterscotch is told she's safe. She performs "My Funny Valentine." She's back at the piano, which I think is good for her, despite what Piers might have said in the past. I don't understand how on earth she manages to play, sing and beatbox at the same time. I think it's more impressive when she's at the piano, too, even though she's much quieter in this kind of performance. Before the judges, Butterscotch is crying (probably over the dedication to her grandparents). The Hoff calls her a jazz star. Sharon says the performance was breathtaking. Piers says it was a beautiful performance -- "it was a perfect performance."
Sideswipe is the last group to learn that they are safe. They bump up the theatrics this week, doing basically a pirate-themed story and adding some weapons to their repertoire. The Hoff likes it and says they showed what they were made of. Sharon says they listened and came back with something at a new level. Piers says they turned it from a sport into entertainment and that "it was electrifying."
The previews indicate that it's the final four next week, so four people would be going home. If that's the case, I fear a bit for our Ms. Irwin. But I hope if winning this competition doesn't come to pass for her that the O's listen to her story about singing the national anthem for them being her dream.
I was talking to one of my coworkers about this week's America's Got Talent yesterday, and we agreed that the judges were way harder on local girl Julienne Irwin than most of the other singers. Robert Hatcher was kind of mediocre, and the judges heaped him with praise. Sharon Osbourne and David Hasselhoff had nothing but kind words for Jason Pritchett, and I thought he was flat his whole performance.
And they all went nuts for ventriloquist Terry Fator. It's ventriloquism. Even the word itself is creepy! (Cue up angry emails from the massive ventriloquism-fan community.)
Maybe the judges were trying to stir more people to vote by being more critical with Julienne. (I've certainly suspected that on American Idol.) Maybe they were really tired by the end of the show -- they were brutal to Sideswipe, the only act to perform after Julienne.
So am I overreacting on behalf of our local contestant, or did the judging seem a little unfair?
First up on America's Got Talent, the 10 semifinalists who performed last week will find out which of them made the Top 10. Then the Top 10, including Bel Air's Julienne Irwin, will perform for viewer votes.
The ventriloquist Terry, the tumblers, Cas the singer (they aren't showing names yet, so I am guessing), the Duttons and singer Jason are the five who make it through.
Only eight will make the cut after tonight's performances.
First are the Duttons. They perform "The Devil Went Down to Georgia," which is cheesy, but works with the violin-playing and the other strings. Piers Xs them before they're done. The Hoff says it seems like half the audience is their family, but the other half loves them to and that they nailed it. Sharon Osbourne says they remind her of The Waltons and that this was a better song than last week. Piers said the violins sounded like the sound a lot of shrimp make when they are being boiled alive.
Singer Robert Hatcher, the guy who works in a sewer, is next. He sings "Because You Love Me." It's a little affected for my tastes, but he made the Top 10, so I guess he resonated with people. The Hoff says he did his grandpa proud, Sharon says it was good, Piers says he has to be tough and that he didn't think it was his best performance vocally, but the emotion makes up for any deficiencies.
The Calypso Tumblers say they are going to take it higher this week. They roll and flip all over the stage and do some crazy strength stunts, too. The Hoff, Sharon and Piers love it.
Country singer Jason Pritchett decides to go back to ballads this week, and her performs "You Say It Best When You Say Nothing at All." I think it's a little flat. The Hoff says his career is cruisin' now. Sharon says he's found his comfort zone, singing country. Piers says it was a better choice of song, but that he hasn't yet seen a performance that shows he's more than just a really good cruise ship singer. But he adds that he thinks he has the potential.
Singer and beatboxer Butterscotch is next with her twist on "It's Your Thing." The Hoff says she leads the pack. Sharon says she took it to a whole different level and that she is very special. Piers says there is a part of her that still doesn't believe she is a star, but she should get over it because she is good.
The Glamazons come out to perform "Fever." It starts out a little weird in the low register, but they really shine in the harmonies. The Hoff says they step it up every week. Sharon says they don't have the best voices in the competition, but they have chutzpah and that she loves their confidence and "what you do for women." Piers says he's interested in "what you do for men." He says they are fun and entertaining and everyone loves them.
Singer Cas Haley is next with a bluesy performance and a few weird faces. But he's got a great voice. The Hoff says he blew him away again. Sharon says his performances seem effortless and that she adores him. Piers says he "didn't not enjoy it" but he thought he was straining and shouting too much doing the blues song. He adds that the slightly reggae sound he had in the auditions is probably his strong suit.
Ventriloquist Terry Fator says he wants to bring validity to his art form. He wants to bring ventriloquism back (which is a little different from bringing sexy back). He sings "Unforgettable" with a puppet. The Hoff says he started tentative, but once the puppet started, it was great. Sharon says she doesn't think people realize how difficult this is. Piers says he is the best ventriloquist he's ever seen.
Bel Air, Md.'s Julienne Irwin is next. Her dad says she started singing when she was 3 and that no father could be prouder than he is of his daughter. Awww, sweet. She starts out sitting on the stage and sings "Till I Can Make It on My Own." It's a tough song, and it sounds like she might have a bit of a cold, but she still does a good job with it, especially considering her age. The Hoff says it was not her best performance, that she was pushing it a little too much. Sharon says she had some pitch problems but that she is like a little angel and that next week ("because I'm sure you're coming back") she can do better. Piers says she struggled in places and that she should pick a song that suits a slightly slower tempo next time. Host Jerry Springer asks how she's doing. She says she's excited to be there and hopes to come back next week and "do even better."
Sideswipe, the martial arts dancers who are prone to tearing off their shirts, come out to perform. Halfway through, some kids with black belts come out to perofrm with them, and Piers Xs them. The Hoff says it was a little bit confusing tonight, not as precise as usual, but that it got progressively better. Sharon says she's glad they mixed things up but they have to beware of the competition. Piers says there is always a point in the competition when one of the acts thinks it's a good idea to bring out cute kids, and it makes him want to vomit. One of the guy says they are teachers, so part of their talent is that their students are good. He says that in his opinion, what they have done tonight has cost them a million bucks.
Then it's time to vote. Results will be announced next week.
In case you missed it, Sun TV critic David Zurawik interviewed Bel Air's Julienne Irwin, one of the Top 10 on America's Got Talent. Here is a preview of the interview. A full version will run in Tuesday's paper.
I had a Tivo mishap this evening, but the reports I'm reading on the Internet are that Bel Air contestant Julienne Irwin made it through on tonight's America's Got Talent.
I'm not that surprised based on her performance and the others last week. What did you think about the other performances this evening?
I missed it myself, but I hear that Bel Air, Md., singer Julienne Irwin made it to the finals on last night's America's Got Talent. In fact, she was one of the final people to find out her fate, so they were using her to draw out the dramatic tension. I don't have a clip yet, but if I find one, I will post it.
Above is a clip from Bel Air 14-year-old Julienne Irwin's performance on America's Got Talent last week. I think we'll be keeping an eye on this one.
A coworker informs me that on last night's America's Got Talent, a 14-year-old girl from Bel Air named Julienne Irwin performed to rave reviews. Anybody see? I'm also trying to find a video clip.
If you saw her, what did you think?
