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America’s Got Talent Hopeful – The Understudies

I’ve previously posted a bunch of people’s Americas’s Got Talent audition videos. A bunch of great talent. I think they also appreciate those people who provide them feedback on their performance in the comments. Feedback (both good and bad) is the best way to improve so that you do better in the audition.

AJ recently wrote a comment on this site asking for me to post his band’s video. AJ is part of a group of young men who make up The Understudies. The following is a video of The Understudies covering Seven Nation Army by The White StripesThe White Stripes - Elephant - Seven Nation Army.

Let the members of The Understudies know what you think of their band. It’s kind of fun to see a group of young people have a band. I think that might be something we haven’t seen on the show before and something the producers might like to have on the show.

February 23, 2009 I Written By

Russian Bar Trio Returns to America’s Got Talent

I don’t know this to be true yet, but I wouldn’t be surprised at all if probably my favorite act from last year returned to America’s Got Talent 2009.  That act is the Russian Bar Trio!  If you don’t remember them, then you must not have ever seen them before.  They are just unforgettable.  So, for those that have never seen the Russian Bar Trio, check out their audition on last season’s America’s Got Talent:

Of course, many may ask why they’ll come back again this year if they were on last season. The answer is simple. Last season, Christine, the Russian Bar Trio girl got injured and so the Russian Bar Trio had to pull out of the competition. It just makes sense that America’s Got Talent would give them another chance.

The only reason I think they might not return to America’s Got Talent is if they’ve gotten too big and successful for the show. Check out this comment I found on their website which makes it looks like they may be working for Cirque du Soleil now and so they wouldn’t be able to be on the show.

Christine is back on the bar after 3 month and a half recovering. She is stronger than ever. You are welcome to come see us on the Cirque du Soleil Show for the 400 years of Quebec City. It will be at the Colisé Pepsi on october 17th-18th-19th.

Well, either way, the Russian Bar Trio will remain near or at the top of my list of most talented America’s Got Talent performers ever. It would have been really interesting to see how America would have voted for them compared to the other finalists. Too bad we didn’t get a chance to see it, and I hope that America’s Got Talent brings them back this year.

In the meantime, check out a rather recent performance by the Russian Bar Trio at what looks like a Michigan basketball game:

Makes me wonder why UNLV doesn’t convince Cirque du Soleil performers to come and perform at halftime for UNLV games, but I digress.

Anyone have news on if the Russian Bar Trio could possibly be back on America’s Got Talent season 4?

February 22, 2009 I Written By

Seattle and Houston AGT Audition Dates Announced and Nick Cannon to Be At Chicago AGT Auditions

The dates for the Americas’ Got Talent Seattle and Houston auditions have been posted to the official AGT audition website. They are as follows:
America’s Got Talent Seattle Auditions
April 25th – 26th
America’s Got Talent Houston Auditions
May 12th – 13th
Watch the official links I posted above for the location information. Just make sure you go and pre-register now so that they’ll send you a time for the audition and give you all the forms you’ll need to audition.

More exciting is that the new host of America’s Got Talent will be at the America’s Got Talent Chicago auditions. You might remember that we posted about Nick Cannon replacing Jerry Springer as America’s Got Talent host. If anyone is in Chicago and happens to snap a picture of them with Nick Cannon, I’d love to post it. Although, I’m pretty sure they won’t let you have your camera near Nick. Oh well.

Here’s the full press release I got about the America’s Got Talent Chicago Audition and Nick Cannon being at the audition.

‘AMERICA’S GOT TALENT’ IS COMING TO CHICAGO WITH NEW HOST NICK CANNON!

NBC, FREMANTLEMEDIA NORTH AMERICA AND SYCO TELEVISION RETURN TO THE WINDY CITY FOR THE FOURTH TIME IN FOUR YEARS IN SEARCH OF TALENT FOR SEASON FOUR OF THE HIT TALENT COMPETITION SERIES
(BURBANK, Calif. – February 2009) – “America’s Got Talent,” NBC’s hit series from “American Idol” producers FremantleMedia North America and Simon Cowell’s SYCO Television, is returning to Chicago, Illinois, with new host Nick Cannon as part of their nationwide search for the hottest and most unique performers from across the country to appear and compete in Season Four of the hit talent competition series.

Producers – who are hopeful their latest trip to the windy city (the fourth in four years) will yield the kind of talent that provided Season 3 with winner Neal Boyd and runner-up Eli Matson — will be looking for talent of all kinds (musicians, contortionists, comedians, impressionist, jugglers, dance crews, animal acts. magicians and singers and everything in between), from all walks of life and surrounding areas to strut and perform on-stage in the hopes of winning America’s hearts and the million-dollar prize.

An insurance salesman/opera singer, Neal E. Boyd’s life changed forever last August when he was crowned the third season champion. Not only did he win the $1,000,000 grand prize, but he also received the opportunity to perform on the Las Vegas strip, headlining a show at the MGM.

Season two winner, Terry Fator, a ventriloquist from Dallas, Texas, achieved his lifelong dream when he was crowned the second season champion. After winning “America’s Got Talent,” Fator went on to sign a five-year $100 hundred million-dollar deal to headline at The Mirage in Las Vegas. Beginning February 2009, he will perform 48 weeks a year, 5 nights a week in The Terry Fator Theatre (currently the Danny Gans Theatre).

Open to any talent of any age, “America’s Got Talent” offers a unique chance for anyone to perform on a nationwide variety show. Contestants are encouraged to pre-register at http://www.nbc.com/AGT and go to http://www.AGTauditions.com for auditioning tips.  By pre-registering, contestants will be kept up-to-date with the most current information.

The open call date and time in Chicago, Illinois, is as follows.
Date: Sunday, March 1 and Monday, March 2
Time: Auditions begin at 8 a.m.
Location: McCormick Place – SOUTH BUILDING 2301 S. Lake Shore Drive Chicago, IL 60616 Atlanta, GA 30303

*Contestant parking in Lot A PLEASE NOTE: This competition is subject to applicable rules, which are subject to modification at any time at the producer’s discretion.

“America’s Got Talent” (averaging a 3.4 rating, 9 share in adults 18-49 and 12.7 million viewers overall last summer) has scored as the #1 summer series in total viewers for each of the last two years and was up in the summer of 2008 versus the prior year by 11 percent in total viewers (12.7 million vs. 11.4 million). It’s a hit with all audience segments, ranking in the top 10 last summer in virtually all meaningful categories, including kids 2-11, teens 12-17, adults 18-34, adults 18-49, adults 25-54 and adults 50-plus.

# # # MEDIA CONTACT: Melissa Armstrong (818) 777-2846 melissa.armstrong@nbcuni Manfred Westphal (818) 748-1148 manfred.westphal@fremantlemedia.com

February 20, 2009 I Written By

Video from America’s Got Talent DC Auditions

The Washington DC press has a really cool video showing off a number of the people who auditioned for a chance to be on the next season of America’s Got Talent. I love the variety and talent they showcase in these clips. My favorite is the third guy who’s playing the guitar like I’ve never seen a guitar played before.

Enjoy the video from the DC auditions:

February 19, 2009 I Written By

Another America’s Got Talent Audition Experience

Another person has contacted me with a bunch of new insights into the audition process. Remember, that this is just the perspective of a fan and fellow contestant of America’s Got Talent. None of the information below or on this site should be considered official and we do not represent NBC, America’s Got Talent or the makers of the show. This is just a fan site with fans sharing their personal experiences. For official America’s Got Talent audition information go to the Official America’s Got Talent Audition website.

This person sent me feedback on the process in 3 parts. They’ve decided to remain anonymous, but we wish them best of luck and hope we get to see them on the show. Hopefully you find it helpful.

America’s Got Talent Audition Experience and Suggestions Part 1
Hi. I auditioned in DC for America’s Got Talent. I got there early in the morning on Friday the 13th. There was a lot of people and i waited from 7am to 2pm before I was able to audition.

As far as the guy who auditioned in 30 minutes. He got there after the rush had slowed down. That’s why it only took him a very short time getting in and out. There was not very many people there friday….anywho, out of the group I was a part of, i was the only person called back a second time to perform my act for the producer. The producer slipped up and said I was going to get a call back in march- callbacks for D.C. Auditions will be in march! – then he “corrected” what he said and said that if I made it i would get a call in march…so who know’s?

Maybe I made it or maybe I didn’t. Other than that, the producer that was in the room looked quite young. Probably as young as early twenties. Here’s a hint- if you are a female vocalist you want to sing power ballads for your audition. That’s what they are looking for…

America’s Got Talent Audition Experience and Suggestions Part 2
I do have some other information for you.

All persons who auditioned in LA, Atlanta, D.C., Chicago and Boston, the callbacks will be the first week of March. They will either go to NYC or Miami for the second round in front of the celebrity judges. That will be on the 17th-19th of March in NYC, March 31st-April 1st in Miami, and the third round begins on April 8th-9th in LA.

I found all this information on the website. I do know that if they call you back in a second time after your first audition that you went on the list for “possible callbacks”. I talked to one of the producer’s and he told me it was a “very good sign” to be called back in a second time. Also, singers go in group of five in a room with a producer/agent sound guy and camera guy. They are not filming at first, but they will start filming if they call you in a second time. That recording is what they are using to determine if you get a call back. Ultimately, Simon Cowell has the last word on the callbacks.

Another note- Dress to Impress. Don’t wear white or a lot of black, wear bright colors, and no street clothes. Those guys want to see the best you.
Don’t wear jeans unless they are a different color or dressy.

For girls/women- where stage makeup but don’t cake it on. Presentation is everything.
I know I was talking about Power Ballads for women but here is a little more information on that- Celine Dion, Mariah Carey, Leona Lewis..enough said on that one.d
Singing Bonnie Raitt or Carey Underwood is something I saw that the producers didn’t want to listen to.

Alrighty, I hope this helps. Oh yeah, Im pretty sure the guy wasn’t being a jerk. I say he was just tired. But I know when I was performing I had their complete attention….either because I was that bad or I was that good! LOL! Like I said, who knows!

America’s Got Talent Audition Experience and Suggestions Part 3
Oh yea, no Jennifer Hudson. That came from the producer/agent. Don’t ask me, but I suppose they think anyone call sing those poppy songs. If the women/girls can’t sing like Whitney Houston or Celine Dion it’s going to be really hard.

February 16, 2009 I Written By

Experience at Washington DC AGT Auditions

I got another person who contacted me about their experience at the DC auditions.  They preferred to remain anonymous, but the experience is insightful.  Amazingly this person was only at the audition for 30 minutes.  Sounds like the AGT audition team is figuring out how to work people through better and better.  Enjoy one person’s experience at the AGT DC Auditions:

Hi! I had my audition today.

I got lost a bit in DC so I ended up at the check in tables at about 2:10. My appointment was for 2:30. I was immediately taken upstairs to audition for Shweka. I was a Q act. I don’t know what that means.

When I got upstairs where the audition rooms were I was told I was auditioning in about 5 minutes. I hardly had time to compose myself. I actually wanted a while to wait so I would feel more ready, but nevertheless almost before I knew it I was in the audition room.

Shweka was the guy in the middle I guess. He sounded British. Are they all British? lol, but he was nice. I just started at the beginning of my arrangment and he let me finish! ! the whole song which takes about 3.5 minutes, so that’s a good sign right? He said “great” in his british accent when I finished and the guy to his left was smiling as I was playing but I wonder if they do that for everybody.

I was also miced while I played and it suprised me when I heard myself singing through the speakers because I’ve never been miced like that before. I was suprised that from the time I walked in the doors to the convention center to when I left was about 30 minutes. It was over before I knew it.

I think I saw Casey there sitting across the hall but I didn’t have time to say hi because it was suddenly time to go into the audition room.

I’m confused by the audition process. I didn’t see throngs of people waiting and only saw one camera filming a guy with his string puppet. I wasn’t asked to do any other silly shots like Mina was so hopefully that wasn’t a bad sign, and I wasn’t asked to audition again.

H! ! aha, and this stupid ticket reader thing for the parking garage kept my ticket when I paid so I couldn’t get out of the parking garage and the lady on the speaker wasn’t helpful because she kept telling me to look at my ticket and I was telling her I didn’t have my ticket because the machine kept the ticket but she finally let me out. She probably thought I was trying to get out of paying my whopping 2 dollar ticket. I left at 10:40am and I was in traffic for a while in DC on the way back so I got back at around 7pm so it really wasn’t that long of a day.

God bless!

February 14, 2009 I Written By

Answers to America’s Got Talent Audition Questions

A number of people are confusing Pure America’s Got Talent (this website) with the official America’s Got Talent audition website. As is stated near the top, this is just an America’s Got Talent FAN site. It’s run by fans, contributed by fans and has no relationship with NBC, America’s Got Talent, it’s owners, producers, etc etc etc.

With that disclaimer aside, hopefully this site is a good place for fans of the show to share their experience, get feedback on the process, learn from other fans and once the show starts talk about the various episodes of America’s Got Talent. One of my main focuses when the show starts will be the various music performed on the show. Until then we’ll enjoy hearing about various America’s Got Talent audition experiences and even post a few America’s Got Talent polls.

If you do have questions about the America’s Got Talent audition process, then you have a couple of options.

  1.  Official America’s Got Talent website
  2. Official America’s Got Talent Audition FAQ
  3. Official America’s Got Talent Audition Forum (Beta) – this is a new addition that should be helpful for people who want to ask questions about the audition process.

You’re certainly welcome to post comments on this blog and interact with fans, but just know that anything said on Pure America’s Got Talent in posts or comments is just fan talk.

Now, go and vote for your favorite America’s Got Talent audition city.

February 11, 2009 I Written By

Vote for The Most Talented America’s Got Talent Audition City

America’s Got Talent has been doing it’s largest search for talent in the history of the show. The show will be traveling to 8 audition cities across the country to find the best talent possible. The question is which America’s Got Talent audition city has the most talent. Make your voice heard by voting for the most talented AGT audition city.

Yes, I do know that this poll is completely biased, but it will be fun to see which cities are represented the most on Pure America’s Got Talent.

I Written By

Nick Cannon Replaces Jerry Springer as Host of America’s Got Talent

Just hitting the wire is the announcement by NBC executives that Jerry Springer will not be hosting this summer’s season of America’s Got Talent. One release stated “The TV star said in a statement that he’s leaving the talent contest – which airs on NBC in the US – because of other commitments, including his syndicated talk show and a stage role.”

2009 Park City - The Hollywood Life House Portraits - Day 2

Replacing Jerry Springer will be musician, comedian, actor and producer Nick Cannon in what network chief Ben Silverman called the first of “multiple projects we are looking to do with Nick at NBC.”

I must admit that I really liked Nick Cannon on “Nick Cannon Presents Wild’n Out” and thought he did a good job with it. The good part about Nick Cannon is that I don’t think we’ll have to deal with much fake energy about someone who doesn’t have talent. Nick’s not going to tell someone they were good if they weren’t. That would ruin his image. He might end up saying nothing, but hopefully he’ll come up with some good questions and let them dig their own grave on the show.

Jerry Springer did an acceptable job even though a bunch of his stuff was so over the top it kind of got annoying. Nick Cannon should be able to avoid those annoyances and will be so much better than Regis Philbin was on the first season.

I also hope we get to see Nick Cannon do a little freestyle dancing backstage with some performers. Something like that would be a great little addition to either warm a performer up or to do a celebration dance with someone who just performed.

Looking forward to it Nick. Don’t let us down!

Sharon Osbourne, Piers Morgan and David Hasslehoff are reportedly remaining as celebrity judges.

February 10, 2009 I Written By

Faryl Smith’s Debut Album Introduction

One of the great Pure America’s Got Talent readers, Michael Askew, pointed me to a great little video of Faryl Smith (of Britain’s Got Talent fame) introducing her debut album which will be released March 9th. In this video Faryl Smith talks about her musical journey. There are also scenes of her photoshoot for UCJ and of her recent Christmas concert at the Royal Albert Hall with Katherine Jenkins. The soundtrack for the video is of Faryl Smith singing some of the songs from her debut album. Check it out:

Thanks Michael. Faryl Smith seems like she’s living up to everything Simon thought she would be.

February 6, 2009 I Written By