Welcome to Pure America’s Got Talent

By Pure America’s Got Talent fan request (and with their help), I was able to get in contact with the EriAm sisters from America’s Got Talent season 4. I was really excited to interview the EriAm sisters, because they were the only act that really moved me this last season. When I saw their first performance I was hooked on these girls. They were awesome and were sent home far too early.

I hope you enjoy the following email interview I did with the EriAm sisters.

Why did you decide to audition for America’s Got Talent?
The experience and exposure you can get by being on a show like AGT is huge and we found out they were coming to Seattle a week before they did and we thought it would be fun to audition. We didn’t really expect or intend to win or go as far as we did we just thought it would be a great opportunity that had the possibility to really accelerate our music career and we are SOO happy we did it.

What were the judges like in person?
Sharon, Piers, David are very sweet people, despite what many people may say. Once all the glamour and TV is over, you find really simple and nice people. Mr. Morgan can be very tough on the contestants and speaks out his mind, as everyone knows, so we were always afraid what his next comment will be after our presentation but we are very happy with all of them. Their criticism and comments has helped us to learn a lot in our performance abilities.

What was the craziest thing that happened to you because of America’s Got Talent?
Hugging Nick Canon was our craziest moment. One of Salinas 3 dreams in life is to meet Mariah Carey and with hugging Nick she came very close to it. She said “when I hugged Nick, I could smell Mariah Carey” :-

What was the best thing that happened to you since America’s Got Talent?
We all know music inspires people. But before America’s Got Talent we we never realized how much of an impact we could have on so many younger kids who have big dreams. We get tons of e-mails and messages from young kids who write “they now believe they can achieve their dream because we inspired them”. It is such a great feeling to know that something that you did is inspiring another person and making them think ‘hey, if they can do it, I can do it.” That is the most rewarding thing that can happen to us. But to be really specific, receiving the “key to the city” of Renton, Washington our hometown was by far the biggest and best thing that happened to us after AGT. We want to thank our community and all our supporters for supporting us, throughout all of our careers.

Your website has said you were coming out with an album for over a year. When will be finally get an EriAm sisters album?
Yes, we have worked very hard to record our first album with producers Andrew Lane, John Silva, DJ Freestyle and Kevin Gardner a year ago but for various technical and business related issues, we were not able to release it on time. Now, since we have grown and our vocals have changed so much we want to re-record some of the songs and touch them up before release. We promise the EriAm album is coming very soon. Stay tuned. Meanwhile, we do have a single “My BFF” on Itunes, Amazon everywhere

Will you be participating in the America’s Got Talent Live shows in Las Vegas with Kevin Skinner?
No, we were not called to participate in the AGT Vegas show. To be honest, the live show would have been a little hectic to go straight from Hollywood AGT to the Vegas show. We are very happy that we were relieved from the Vegas show and are able to enjoy home until the next wave comes. We do hope to go see it sometime when they begin

Are you planning a national concert tour? (one fan in Massachusetts wants to know if you’ll be performing there too)
It would be awesome to do a national and international tour to promote our album. At this point, it is too early to tell what is in store for us. However, we hope that 2010 will be a great year and when we do have our tour we promise we will work hard to have one in Massachusetts where we have great fans.

Your YouTube channel has a variety of song types: R&B/Pop/Rock. Can we expect your album to have a similar mix of music?
That is a good observation We have a hard time finding one type of music that we can be labeled with. We love so many different types of music we can never stick to one. However, a mix of Pop and R&B and some soft Rock is what you could expect from us in the next album. The album has some really amazing songs written by renowned song writers and we hope people will love it as much as we do

Who was your favorite contestant on America’s Got Talent (besides yourselves of course)?
There were so many great act and we really made such good friends with all of them. Barbara, Voices of Glory, Mia, Drew, Recycled Percussion, Kevin Skinner, Erik and Rickie are just some of them we had so much fun experiencing AGT with everyone and going out to shop, eat, enjoy Hollywood with them, we bonded so much. We miss everyone so much the contestants and staff were what made this experience so great.

What advice would you give those who want to be on America’s Got Talent?
Well when you open a business people, it is all about Location. Assuming that you have great singing talent, when you audition for singing, it is all about selecting a song that shows your talent. We had the challenge of selecting a song that shows the talent of each one of us and ultimately, we believe the song selection and presentation are the two important aspects of your audition. And in general, just have fun, have confidence in your talent and really try to have fun because if you have fun, what more could u ask for?

Much Love,
EriAm

Many of my regular readers will be very excited that I was able to get in touch with the EriAm sisters. So, I’m planning to do an email interview with them. In true blogger fashion, I’m asking readers of this site to submit questions that they think I should ask the EriAm sisters. Of course, if none of you have questions, then I’ll make a bunch of my own since they were my favorites.

So, leave a list of questions you’d like me to ask the EriAm sisters and I’ll try to include them in my interview of the EriAm sisters.

Each year I’ve been doing my best to list all the various America’s Got Talent music. I’m actually trying to get the people from America’s Got Talent to send me the music from the shows, but that is still in the works.

It’s really hard to figure out the various music from the America’s Got Talent auditions, because it’s not very standard. However, with the help of all of you out there, I think we can create a pretty good list of music that’s used on the America’s Got Talent premiere. If you know a song, then leave a comment and I’ll update the post with the songs as people share them or as I find them.

America’s Got Talent Season 4 Premiere Music
David Johnson – wrote a song about David Hasselhoff (I must find this song somewhere and I’ll link it when I do Check out the AGT video tribute to David Hasselhoff)
Voices of Glory (the trio of siblings that closed the show) sang “God Bless America”
Christy Marie (crappy singer) sang “It’s in his Kiss” by Cher
Ray Schwarz (crappy singer and dancer) – sang “A Little Less Conversation” by Elvis
The Eriam Sisters trio sang “I Want You Back” by the Jackson 5
Washington DC’s Urban Nation Hip Hop Choir sang Celebration by Kool & the Gang

Good News! I got the full list of music that was used on Tonight’s show. Now we’ll just have to figure out which person did what.

Performance Singers
God Bless America
A Little Less Conversation sung by Elvis Presley
Walking On Sunshine sung by Katrina and the Waves
It’s In His Kiss (The Shoop Shoop Song) sung by Martha and the Vandrelles
Papa’s Got A Brand New Bag sung by James Brown
I Want You Back sung by Jackson Five
Stamp Your Feet sung by Donna Summer
Single Ladies sung by Beyonce

Performance Dancers / Variety Acts
Play That Funky Music sung by Wild Cherry
Crazy Train sung by Ozzy Osbourne
Can’t Get Enough of Your Love, Babe sung by Barry White
Walkin On the Sun sung by Smash Mouth
Pump It sung by Black Eyes Peas
There Was A Time sung by James Brown
No Air sung by Jordan Sparks

Background Music
Circus sung by Britney Spears
Shut Up and Let Me Go sung by Ting Tings
Boom Boom Pow sung by Black Eyed Peas
Walkin On The Sun sung by Smash Mouth
I Believe I Can Fly sung by R Kelly
Just Dance sung by Lady Gaga
Come On Get Happy sung by The Partridge Family
Get Happy sung by Ella Fitzgerald
I Feel Good sung by James Brown
Stuck With You sung by Huey Lewis and the News
Hot N Cold sung by Katy Perry
No Business Like Show Business sung by Ethel Merman
“The Munster’s” Theme Song sung by Various
Super Freak sung by Rick James
Unwritten sung by Natasha Bedingfield
Celebration sung by Kool & the Gang
Hungry Eyes sung by Eric Carmen
Endless Love sung by Lionel Richie & Diana Ross
Get Up off That Thing sung by James Brown
Close To You sung by Carpenters
Glasgow Love Theme sung by Craig Armstrong
Run sung by Leona Lewis

Yes, I’m making the assumption that Susan Boyle is going to win Britain’s Got Talent. That aside, I found this little quote of Simon Cowell really interesting:

Music mogul Simon Cowell has revealed that singing sensation Susan Boyle would get a spot on America’s Got Talent provided she wins at the Britain’s Got Talent show.

“I would say to anybody who won the British show[Britain's Got Talent] that we guarantee them a spot on the American show. I think that’s a great incentive. So if it is Susan, yes,” the Sun quoted him as saying.

Of course, Simon Cowell produces both Britain’s Got Talent and America’s Got Talent, so he could easily make this happen. What isn’t very clear to me is how the Britain’s Got Talent winner would participate in America’s Got Talent. It doesn’t seem fair or likely to be as a contestant on America’s Got Talent (like the article linked above seems to assume). Instead, I could easily see the winner of Britain’s Got Talent appearing as a special guest on one of the later America’s Got Talent shows. Similar to how Terry Fator came back and did a number.

Either way, I think America would love to see the winner of America’s Got Talent do a number at the finale of America’s Got Talent. Talent is talent regardless of where it comes from.

I had an audition time of 8:00 am March 2. I arrived at Mccormick place around 5:45, ended up in line by about 6 am. There were already around 50 people in line. Some were auditioning, and others just family and friend. I met some people right away who were singing as I was. Seemed like more singers than anything.

After about 45 minutes of making sure everyone had papers and wristbands, they herded us to what seemed like a big ball room. We would stay here for a few hours. I didn’t mind I enjoyed watching all the performers practice. The dance off was interesting to watch also.

The time passed as we were asked to act for the camera. Sitting quietly pondering our fate. Unfortunately this one started while I was in the bathroom. Imagine my surprise as I walked in to at least 300-400 people sitting dead quiet. I guess it was a good thing I didn’t run in the room singing as loud as possible. Other poses consisted of everyone practicing, singers (singing), musicians (playing), etc.

Around 11 maybe a little later the first numbers were called. I was lucky to be called in the first numbers. I took a deep breath and walked to the line. I was placed in the line with the instruments (as I was playing the piano while I sang). It is importnt to note I was in line with about 6 other people and all had guitars, not a lot playing the piano I guess. Two people were called in the room before me with about 10 min in between auditions. They audition and said they were good to go.

I was called in, we auditioned alone in the room thank goodness, all though the ones outside said they could here me). I walked to the center stage and told them my name, age, song, and they asked a little bit about me. There was a man filming a woman working the computer and one gentleman (with a british accent) doing all the talking. I was asked to start when ready. So I sat at the awesome keyboard they had and sang “More Than Anyone”  by Gavin Degraw. After I finished they asked if I could sing another piece. So I said sure thinking in my mind (Oh Man) cause I had not prepared another piece. I sang “Belief” also by Gavin Degraw as he is my favorite singer.

After I finished the producer sked me to wait outside while they check something on my papers. When I was asked to come back in he said he wanted me to sing for the executive producers. So I was led to another hall where I waited. In this hall they verified my information and took my picture. I also met the Boyd Family Band really nice family I enjoyed talking to.

Finally I was led into the room with two producers and another guy filming. He asked me to tell my story so I did. Then he said begin when ready. I sat down t the keyboard and after a sound check sang “More Than Anyone”. He said thanks and asked the other producer if he needed anything. He said no I think it was good. I was then told they will be calling people back in a few weeks.

I arrived about 6 and left before 1. So over all my experience was really good. I should mention my sister auditioned on March 1 and they arrived at 7 and didn’t audition until about 8 or 9 at night. So I am really happy for my timing.

I was really happy how everything went. The first producer was very complimentary and singing in front of the exec producers was very encouraging. However it has been 2 weeks and I have heard nothing so who knows. Just wanted everyone to see what its like to audition.

As many comments have rolled in talking about not getting a call about the NY taping of America’s Got Talent, I’ve had a second to think about what people must be going through right now.

I think the biggest issue that most people have is just not really knowing. In a few months you’ll really know, because they’ll be moving to the Las Vegas auditions and I think that’s definitely the drop dead point.

Might I offer one comment to those who might be thinking about the audition experience. A man I really respect told me that “Life is about making stories and telling stories.” I couldn’t think of anything that could apply better to auditioning for America’s Got Talent. Not only did you make a story, but now you have a story to tell for the rest of your life.

NBC previously renewed America’s Got Talent for a fourth season. Tonight on the show, they said that soon they’d start the auditions for America’s Got Talent season 4. Here’s the information on the auditions from the NBC America’s Got Talent website:

Are you are sitting on your couch enjoying America’s Got Talent thinking you have what it takes to impress our judges? We invite you to audition for season 4.

Join our mailing list to get the latest audition updates including the cities we will be visiting.
Good luck and we look forward to seeing your talent!

Simon Cowell, & The America’s Got Talent Production Team

If you’re planning on auditioning, leave a comment with a link to your talent. I’d love to post your talent on my website in anticipation of the next season.

UPDATE: I just found the following on the NBC website:

We have begun the search for the most talented people in America to perform on the fourth season of America’s Got Talent.
TO BE CONSIDERED AS A CONTESTANT FOLLOW THESE THREE STEPS:
1. Make a 2-3 minute videotape of your act. All music performed must be a “cover version” of a popular, published song. NO ORIGINALS please. We will accept VHS & DV tapes along with DVDs. (Please NO hi-8s or formats that need VHS adaptors.) Label the tape or disc with your name, act name, address and phone number.
2. Download and complete the following forms.
Eligibility Requirements/Casting Information Sheet/Personal Release Form
Adobe Reader is required to view the forms. Click here to download a free copy if you do not have it installed. Please take your time and answer all the questions. We will not view your tape, unless you have completed, signed, and enclosed the Casting Information Sheet and Personal Release form.
3. Send it to our producers:
Please label your package and send it to:
America’s Got Talent, Season 4
3727 W. Magnolia Blvd., #808
Burbank, CA 91505
WE’RE COMING TO A CITY NEAR YOU.
America’s Got Talent will also be conducting open calls around the country. Cities and dates will be announced soon and all the details and required forms will be posted on this site.