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Where’s Eli Mattson After America’s Got Talent?

I’ve been able to follow a lot of the past talent of America’s Got Talent. Neal E. Boyd is releasing a single and touring with Paul Potts (Britain’s Got Talent). Queen Emily is in Las Vegas doing Menopause the musical. Donald Braswell has been doing shows, releasing records and even did an appearance on PBS. A little bit surprising to me is that I haven’t heard anything about what’s happened to Eli Mattson. His performance of Walking in Memphis is one of my favorites ever on America’s Got Talent. I found this video from November 25, 2008 of him performing “Walking in Memphis” at the Meyer Theatre:

Does anyone else know what’s going on with Eli Mattson? I’d love to know if he’s releasing an album, if he has any concerts. What he’s doing with his talent.

Also, I think fans of Eli Mattson and Neal E. Boyd will also really enjoy this video of Eli and Neal performing “Candle in the Wind” on July 4, 2008. I have to admit, I think that Eli Mattson actually outperforms Neal on this one. Maybe it was just the song choice. However, I loved the whole thing and it was nice to see them together.

June 22, 2009 I Written By

Russian Bar Trio on America’s Got Talent 2009?

Getting ready for the premiere of America’s Got Talent 2009, I can’t help but hope that the Russian Bar Trio will return for America’s Got Talent 2009. For those that have been living in cave, here’s the video of Russian Bar Trio’s audition on America’s Got Talent 2008:

In case you don’t know the back story, the Russian Bar Trio made it to the top 20 (or maybe it was 40), but unfortunately had to drop out due to injury. Turns out that Donald Braswell got voted back on to the show (much to the Donald Braswell fans delight) in order to replace the Russian Bar Trio.

Now to the point of this post. Russian Bar Trio has to be the most shocking and impressive and talented act I’ve seen on America’s Got Talent. I really hope they come back for season 4 of America’s Got Talent.

I also think it’s interesting that the Russian Bar Trio has at least reached some amount of star status. I previously posted the video of the Russian Bar Trio’s performance for a Michigan basketball game. Now, check out this video of the Russian Bar Trio’s performance on Ellen:

June 19, 2009 I Written By

Donald Braswell Back in Las Vegas and Texas

One of my readers and a faithful Donald Braswell fan sent me some good information on Donald Braswell’s schedule. She told me that Donald will be appearing in Vegas on May 19, 20, 21 and 22, at 8:00pm as a guest artist on Terry Fator’s show at the Mirage (read about Terry Fator’s grand opening at the Mirage). That should be a pretty cool combination night.

I’m hoping that I can possibly get some tickets to she show so that I can give everyone a full update about Donald Braswell and Terry Fator. I may even see if they’ll be available for an interview or something. We’ll see what we can do. Either way, I’m excited to see them in Las Vegas.

Donald will also be performing at the “Symphony of the Hills” Concert in, Kerrville, TX. It will be on Jun 27, 2009 at. 7:30pm . (There may also be a 2:30 concert in the afternoon.)

Donald will be performing a Pops concert with the Symphony of the Hills (Kerrville’s 70 piece symphony orchestra) at the beautiful Cailloux Theater. Kerrville is about 60 miles north west of SA in a
lovely hill country setting. This is a benefit concert with proceeds going to scholarships for students at Schreiner University.

On May 29, Donald will also be performing in a televised show with other contestants from Americas Got Talent. The show will be airing from Los Angeles. I hope that Donald fans will send me a note when they get more details on this show.

Donald Braswell fans should also check out the Donald Braswell Fan Club Calendar and the Free Donald Braswell music on his MySpace page.

UPDATE: I got word that Donald’s performance in Las Vegas at the Mirage has been postponed. Let’s hope it gets rescheduled soon.

April 11, 2009 I Written By

Donald Braswell Update – Las Vegas Show, New Beginnings Tour and PBS Special

I figured it was about time to do an update on one of the fan favorites from America’s Got Talent: Donald Braswell.

Donald has been incredibly busy following what I’m told was a sold out concert at the Hilton in Las Vegas. Makes me really happy to see Donald as a success. I certainly took my fair share of shots at Donald during the show. What can I say? I thought he was a little disingenuous to say he hadn’t been on a professional stage before AGT. I think I also preferred Eli Mattson‘s style a little bit better. However, one thing I never argues was whether Donald Braswell had talent or not. He absolutely has talent and I’m glad that America’s embracing someone who actually entertains with talent.

Well, turns out America loves Donald more than I ever thought they would. Check out what the Las Vegas Sun said about Donald Braswell and PBS.

PBS is doing a special on Braswell. Camera crews have been following him around since his appearance on the TV show.

“They felt I was an artist who could take things to a different level, inspiring audiences as well as entertaining them,” he says.

Braswell says the special first will be seen March 15 in five East Coast states and Canada as a test.

“If that is successful I will perform at the Detroit Opera House with a full orchestra for the entire United States and Canada,” he says. “That’s an exciting pro

A PBS special is really cool. I have a feeling that Donald Braswell will be really successful on PBS. I hope someone posts it online so we can all enjoy Donald on PBS.

Also, Donald Braswell will be on the New Beginnings Tour. Only one tour date has been announced for Donald, but I’m sure that more will be posted on Ticketmaster as they announce new locations. Here’s the first stop of the New Beginnings Tour:

Thomas Wolfe Auditorium, Asheville, N.C: Mar 21st 8pm, address is 87 Haywood St. Prices are $23 for balcony seating and $33 for the floor seating. Tickets are available starting 10am Jan 20th on
www.ticketmaster.com and all the other shows for the New Beginnings tour will be updated as they are added.

I also want to thank all the fans at the Donald Braswell Fan club that have kept me informed about Donald. They are certainly true fans that any artist would be proud to have. Hopefully in the future they’ll share even more information about what’s happening with the Donald. I’m really hoping he returns to Las Vegas so I can see him this time.

March 2, 2009 I Written By

Insights About America’s Got Talent from Jessica Price

I’ve started going through some of the blog posts I’d started and never finished and I came upon some great insights from Jessica Price about her experience participating on America’s Got Talent. I should say that Jessica Price was my favorite from the start, but this interview just added to my fandom.

The following excerpts are from this interview:

She considers the “amazing” experience her most personally challenging, she said.

It didn’t make it any easier that the producers “kind of pick out everything for you,” she said.

She didn’t choose her wardrobe. And she chose the songs she performed each week from three that were selected for her. Two of the songs were “songs they knew you wouldn’t pick anyway,” Price said with a smile.

“I wasn’t able to be me,” she reflected.

One more that was pretty interesting to think about:

“It’s weird having tons of fans and not having anything to give them,” she said. “I’m excited to make a CD so that they can … have something.”

I’m currently working with a couple people close to Jessica Price to try and get an update on what she’s been doing since America’s Got Talent.

Until then, sign up to audition for Season 4 of AGT so that I can be writing about you next.

January 21, 2009 I Written By