Welcome to Pure America’s Got Talent

I was pretty impressed with this Cellcom commercial featuring Eli Mattson. It’s interesting that they chose to use Eli for their commercial. I think they did a really good job with it. Check it out:

Also, check out my previous update post on Eli Mattson and enter to win free Eli Mattson swag. If people know what’s happening with other past contestants please let me know on my contact page.

Time for the next entry in our list of music from each episode of America’s Got Talent, below you’ll find a list of music from episode 4 (404 officially) of America’s Got Talent on July 1, 2009.

Music from Performance Singers
If Tomorrow Never Comes by Garth Brooks

Music from Performance Dancers and Variety Acts
Shake Your Groove Thing by Peaches & Herb
Boogie Shoes by KC and the Sunshine Band
What Is Love by Haddaway
Church by T Pain (feat. Teddy Verseti)

Music Beds from America’s Got Talent 404 on July 1, 2009
2001: A Space Odyssey Theme from the film “2001: A Space Odyssey
Swamp Thing by The Grid
Butterfly by Mariah Carey
Dueling Banjos from the film “Deliverance”
Fire Burning by Sean Kingston
Boogie Wonderland by Earth, Wind, and Fire
I’m So Excited by The Pointer Sisters
Save A Horse Ride A Cowboy by Big & Rich
Viva Las Vegas by Elvis Presley
Right Round by Flo Rida
Two Tribes by Frankie Goes to Hollywood
War by Edwin Starr
Top of the World by Pussycat Dolls
Us Against the World by Westlife
The World’s Greatest by R Kelly

I just wrote a post that updated everyone on Eli Mattson’s career since America’s Got Talent. From that I was able to get a few Eli Mattson’s to giveaway on my site. In fact, I’ll be giving away 2 packages to 2 people. Each package will include 1 Eli Mattson CD
, 1 Door County Magazine (includes an article on Eli) with writeup and photos.

Not a bad deal and it’s really easy to enter the contest. In fact, there are 4 ways you can enter to win free Eli Mattson stuff.

How to Enter
We’ll be running this contest until the America’s Got Talent Las Vegas week. Do all 4 things below and you’ll have your name entered into the drawing 4 times. The winner will be chosen at random and supervised by the most honest person I know (my wife). Here’s how you enter:
1. Leave a comment on this post (easy enough no?). Just make sure to use your real email or we’ll have no way to contact you when you win.
2. Send a tweet to all your friends about this website or this contest. Click Tweet This! to tweet a message about this contest. Make sure to include @tvblog in the tweet to enter.
3. Share a link to http://www.pureamericasgottalent.com on your Facebook, MySpace page or blog. Leave a comment with your myspace name, facebook page, or blog post so I can verify.
4. Join the Pure America’s Got Talent email list.

Any questions feel free to ask in the comments. Also, watch for future Terry Fator and Neal E. Boyd giveaways coming soon.

In my ongoing attempt to list all of the music from each episode of America’s Got Talent, below you’ll find a list of music from episode 3 (403 officially) of America’s Got Talent on June 30, 2009. Also, check out the best videos from this episode of America’s Got Talent.

Music from Performance Singers
I Am Changing From Dream Girls

Music from Performance Dancers and Variety Acts
I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch) by The Four Tops
Let It Rock by Kevin Rudolph
Bigger Isn’t Better From the musical “Barnum”
Great Balls of Fire by Jerry Lee Lewis
Loud by Big & Rich

Music Beds Used for America’s Got Talent Episode 403 on June 30, 2009
Living In America by James Brown
Flashdance…What a Feeling from “Flashdance”
The Fame by Lady Gaga
When I Grow Up by Pussycat Dolls
Magic Man by Heart
Sweet Home Chicago
Dance of the Knights from “Romeo & Juliet”
That’s Way (I Like It) by KC & The Sunshine Band
The Climb by Miley Cyrus
This Town by O.A.R.
Soul Bossa Nova
Viva Las Vegas by Elvis Presley
Mama by The Spice Girls
I’ll Be by Edwin McCain

Time for some quick thoughts about the good acts on tonight’s America’s Got Talent: Carol Lugo, Thia Megia, Kevin Skinner and Jay Mattioli. Plus, the America’s Got Talent video of each performance in case you might have missed it.

Thia Megia (14 year old singer)

I really liked this girl. She was the highlight of the night for me. Wow, I really hate to say that a singer is my favorite, but it was good. My wife and I both just looked at each other when she opened her mouth. Also, I don’t know how to say this the right way, but I’ve never seen such a big black woman’s voice come out of a little asian girl. Nick Cannon’s comment was dead on “Where’d she get that voice from?” Actually, Thia Megia reminds me a little bit of Charice Pempengco who was on Oprah and is David Foster’s new project (look her up on YouTube). They have different qualities to their voice, but as far as little girls with big voices it’s a nice match.

Carol Lugo (62 year old dancer)

I really don’t know how to comment on Carol Lugo. She is something else. The way she snapped her head at the beginning I thought for sure that it was going to snap off. Carol Lugo has a ton of energy. She actually reminded me a bit of the old man that did some break dancing on Britain’s Got Talent. The only question I have for Carol is if she’s like this at 62, what was she like at 20?

Jay Mattioli (Magician)

I had a little problem with Jay Mattioli, there was a little extra piece of stage when he was doing his trick. However, it was still a nice twist on magic that I hadn’t seen before. Piers was right about the second trick being not as good since you know it has to be mirrors or something like that. He was entertaining to watch. Assuming he has some good tricks he might be the first magician to really make it far on the show. Most magicians wow us up front and then get kicked off later with some sort of lame trick.

Kevin Skinner (Chicken Catcher Singer)

The chicken catcher was a little too scripted. He asked if he had a job and Kevin responded that he was a chicken catcher. Anyway, it was good exposure for chicken catchers everywhere. I don’t think Kevin was all that good. He wasn’t horrible either, but when you’re singing a Garth Brooks song you better bring it. Certainly he deserves to go to Vegas and I look forward to seeing him perform again, but I think they love the chicken catcher story as much as they like Kevin.

One of the people that follows me on Twitter sent me a link to a really interesting insight into the America’s Got Talent audition process. No doubt the show probably would have a different point of view on the audition process, but some of the comments are really enlightening considering a few of the items match the comment made by Sky and Vlad on my Fire Dancer post.

Here are some of the more interesting parts of the article:

Talk about a real “cattle call;” anyone who attended the “AGT” auditions in Boston knows that just the first step can mean hours of waiting to step in front of a producer, and your chances of going on to the next level (in front of the actual judges) are pretty much slim to none. That is unless you’ve got a gimmick like they sing about in the musical “Gypsy.” My gimmick? An ass named Firefly.
…
There is another equine performer already there[at the loading dock], Sunny the Miniature Trick Horse, the trainer is already worn down and frazzled from having been there since 6 that morning and even though they had an opportunity to practice on stage the waiting conditions in the heat and next to the idling semis had taken their toll. I realized earlier that this excessive wait time is carefully calculated to bring on the most emotional distress. I have never been involved in a production which required that people wait around for eight hours or longer in order to get on stage at the appointed time. Normal theatrical call time is two hours, so either this production crew is extremely incompetent or they are doing this to manipulate the outcome.

Sunny’s turn finally comes about 3 p.m. but when they come offstage you can see the disappointment in their eyes. Their mini-horse has missed some cues and did not perform well, even though he is a seasoned performer. I’m not surprised; most of us with performing animals are used to waiting to go on stage, but asking that an animal act wait nine hours to go on stage seems cruel by any standards. Once the production crew realized that the only available wait space for the equine performers was outside in the heat and parked alongside idling semi trucks they should have allowed us the flexibility to come in closer to our call time so we weren’t worn down by the abominable waiting conditions. Of course the rest of the performers were inside the theater with the AC and crew members to wait on them.

Although we were denied the opportunity to allow Firefly a chance to practice or to at least check out the stage, I knew the stage would be similar to the New York set so I hoped that he would remember what we would be walking into. Finally we step onto the stage about 8 p.m. and we are hit by a wall of sound. Keep in mind that this crew is not only manipulating the emotional responses of the people backstage they have also been messing with the audience, an audience that has been encouraged to have big reactions, be it positive or negative. To tell you the truth, I felt like I was stepping into the Roman Coliseum; some people were booing because I was walking onto the stage with an ass. Go figure.
…
I’m not surprised that Susan Boyle, this year’s big star of “Britain’s Got Talent,” suffered a nervous breakdown even though she placed second on the popular British television show. Think of all the hoops she had to jump through starting with the ridicule the first time she stepped onto the stage. I can only imagine what lies in store for those who go on to higher rounds in Las Vegas in this new season of “America’s Got Talent.” I know that last year they flew a lot of people out there then sent half of them home before they even got a chance to step onto the stage. For those who survived the second-round auditions for Season 4 of “AGT,” congratulations and good luck, and for those who did not go so far, keep working and entertaining the people and do not allow your future to hinge on what happened during your audition experience for this particular production company; there are so many other opportunities out there to really shine and be appreciated.

Certainly could be a bit of sour grapes, but I’m guessing that a lot of it was accurate. I just can’t imagine the show wanting them to wait so long so that they’re all frazzled. That doesn’t make much sense to me. I’d like to think that they just want everyone there in waiting so that they don’t have to stress about people being late or not. However, if they did come out and say that they made people wait it wouldn’t surprise me either.

The fact is that even on the show they talk about people having waited all day for the opportunity to be on the show. So, waiting isn’t necessarily news. Either way, this stuff is great fodder for fans of the show. I kind of like to take a small look behind the scenes of America’s Got Talent. I watch it to be entertained and they do a pretty good job of doing just that. Like I’ve told those auditioning a hundred times. Just remember that they’re trying to produce a great show, not produce your talent.

A little while back I posted a request to learn more about what’s happening with Eli Mattson after America’s Got Talent. I loved Eli last year and actually wish he would have won. For those that might have missed Eli Mattson on last year’s America’s Got Talent, here’s a nice recap video:

Turns out he’s been doing all sorts of things since being on America’s Got Talent. Here’s my attempt to review all of the various things that Eli Mattson has been doing and is planning to do. Hopefully I can do more regular updates. Plus, look forward to a nice Eli Mattson giveaway which I’ll be starting soon.

The most important thing that people have been looking for of course is buying Eli Mattson’s album. You can find it on Amazon.

This CD is a little bit older. Eli made a cd called “Monsters” back when he was 19 years old with funding provided by Peninsula Arts Association and Roger Kuhns. The cd he is currently selling is a compilation of his favorite songs off of that and three that he recorded several years ago. He is currently working on new songs and wishes to record this year. The songs are all original by Eli with two songs by Roger Kuhns. The are reflective of his view of the world after going through some pretty difficult times, very personal.

Also, Eli’s been doing a number of concerts and has a number of shows planned for the next couple months. Here’s a list of places you can find a live show of Eli Mattson:
Eli Mattson
7/3/2009 7:00 PM at Harraseeket Inn Freeport Maine w ww.harraseeketinn.com
162 N Main St, Freeport, Maine 04032
Cost: $30.00
Intimate concert setting, Eli and the grand piano. Tickets go on sale at halo12384@yahoo.com attn Charleen

UPDATE: Eli Mattson will be performing at Picture Perfect San Diego on July 18th.

Eli Mattson
8/1/2009 6:00 PM at Evergreen, Co Habitat For Humanity Benefit at The Grand Preserve, Evergreen, Colorado
Cost: $100/couple $50/single
Hard Hats and High Heels a benefit for Habitat for Humanity

Eli Mattson
8/14/2009 7:00 PM at Long Grove , Illinois, Long Grove, Illinois
Cost: tba
A concert in a performance barn!

Eli Mattson
9/17/2009 7:00 PM at Meyer Theater: presented by Cellcom, Green Bay, Wisconsin 54301
Cost: $25.00
The beautiful Meyer theater and incredible place to hear Eli and his band. For tickets go to http://www.ticketstaronline.com/default.asp?ticketstar+26&objld=536

Eli Mattson
9/25/2009 7:30 PM at Third Avenue Playhouse: Presented by Cellcom
Third Avenue, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin 54235
Cost: $25.00
Just Eli and The Grand

Beyond these concerts, Eli performed 2 shows with Terry Fator in Las Vegas (I wish I would have known so I could have gone and checked it out). Eli would be a nice addition to Terry’s show. Eli also performed in Madison, DC, Naperville (Chicago), Luxemburg, amongst other venues.

Eli was signed by Cellcom. “We’re thrilled to have Eli Mattson represent our brand and excited to begin working with him,” said Dan Fabry, vice president and chief operating officer for Cellcom. “His enormous talent will appeal to not only our younger audience, but anyone who appreciates the piano or Eli’s very distinctive singing style.”

Eli was also June on what’s being called the MySpace music calendar 2009. Probably a little late to buy the calendar, but fans might want it to be June 2009 forever. Eli was also featured in an article in “Door County Living” Magazine which will come out this summer.

Of course, could I really do an update post about Eli Mattson without a least one new video of Eli Mattson performing (sorry the recording and background noise isn’t very good):

Kaitlyn Maher really was one of the most astounding little girls to grace the stage of America’s Got Talent. Hard to believe a 4 year old could have done as well as she did considering all the pressure of the show. She did better than the much older girl who broke down during Britain’s Got Talent. The local Washington DC NBC affiliate did a nice little piece/interview of Kaitlyn Maher a year after America’s Got Talent. My favorite part is when they ask her when she was nervous. Seems like Kaitlyn is a very busy 4 (or is she 5 now?) year old girl. Check out the interview of Kaitlyn Maher:

A lot of people who watch America’s Got Talent enjoy watching the stories where people come from nothing and somehow make it on the America’s Got Talent stage. I love those stories also, but I’m also totally fine if professional people want to audition as well. Just as long as the show doesn’t portray them as an underdog story when they’re not.

Turns out that Alizma (Erica, Jaclyn and Nicole Okapiec) has done a lot of things before going on America’s Got Talent. They’ve even toured on The Ron Paul Mystery tour (whatever that is?). Here’s some other videos of Alizma (there are a lot more I’ll have to post later).

Alizma triplets in what I think you could call a music video of sorts.

Alizma being interviewed on SOAP talk

Erica, Jaclyn and Nicole (Alizma) did a photo shoot for Black Diamond Boots

Alizma was on the Steve Harvey show:

Man, so many different videos that could be posted of these girls. It should be interesting if Alizma has a fan following already that will vote for them.

I first was introduced to G-Force back in February. Turns out they were good enough to make it at least to Las Vegas on America’s Got Talent 2009. It’s always fun to check out a group before they were on America’s Got Talent. Plus, they showed so little of G-force on America’s Got Talent, that it’s nice to see some full length videos of Emily (11-vocals/guitar), Hannah (9-bass), Olivia (7-drums). Olivia is definitely my favorite.

G-Force live!! The girls first music video recorded January 13th 2008 at The Savannah Bar and Grille in Westlake, Ohio

Girlfriend by Avril Lavigne Performed by G-Force

Now I just hope that The Understudies make it on America’s Got Talent so that we can have a battle of the kid bands.