Country Singer Kevin Skinner Wins 2009 America’s Got Talent Show

Posted on September 17, 2009
Filed Under Guest Columnist | 1 Comment

By Jennifer Akers

kevin-skinner31231231America’s Got Talent crowned country crooner Kevin Skinner. In season four, the AGT competition came down to two singers: Barbara Padilla and Kevin Skinner. Most fans correctly pinned these for the final two acts. Many favored Barbara’s pitch perfect opera to Skinner’s raw country. Host Nick Cannon paused, in typical nerve-wracking suspense, before announcing Kevin Skinner won America’s vote, the show’s one million dollar award, and a Las Vegas headliner contract. The show began with the top ten groups performing with Thelma Houston to her song, “Don’t Leave Me This Way”. The 75-year old comedian, Grandma Lee, announced their performance, as Voices of Glory, Lawrence Beaman, The Texas Tenors, Barbara Padilla, Drew Stevyns, and Kevin Skinner sang to the famed disco beat. Recycled Percussion played the band, while contortionist Hairo Torres and The Fab Five danced.kevin-skinner312312312312

Celebrity acts took center stage, with silly and sentimental video montages filling the painstaking countdown. The beautiful, British X-Factor winner Leona Lewis sung “Happy”. Shakira did a bump-and-grind to her new song, “She-Wolf”. Popular country band Rascal Flatts sang before the anticipated performance by Susan Boyle, of Britain’s Got Talent fame. In her first American performance, Boyle stirred the audience with her new song, “Wild Horses”. Voting announcements eliminated five of the final ten acts. Standing in the final five, winner’s circle: inspirational, singing siblings, Voices of Glory; the energetic band, Recycled Percussion; opera singer Barbara Padilla; the hunky threesome, The Texas Tenors; and country musician, Kevin Skinner.kevin-skinner31231231231231231231

Every act had a riveting reason for chasing their dream to AGT’s stage. The final two touched America’s heart. The grateful housewife Padilla decided to pursue her singing dream after successfully overcoming cancer. Though untrained in opera, Padilla amazed judges with her smooth talent. As the show progressed, Padilla transformed into a beautiful star. The unemployed, former chicken catcher Skinner also stunned the audience in his first performance, singing Garth Brooks’ “If Tomorrow Never Comes”. Skinner’s laid-back appearance and Kentucky twang belied his soulful singing. He became an early favorite among AGT’s judges Piers Morgan, Sharon Osbourne, and David Hasselhoff. On previous shows, they admitted Skinner wasn’t the best singer. They flagged missed or flat notes and wrong song choices, but they loved his genuine, touching performances. His back story fit perfectly with AGT’s mantra that anyone, even from humble beginnings, can perform on the world’s biggest stage and win an impossible dream.

In the seconds following the win, Skinner appeared in teary-eyed shock. Cannon asked what his plans were for the next day, and Skinner said he’d have to think about that later. Skinner hugged his family, thanked voters, and promised to give audiences the best Vegas show. Raw talent and passion is the heart of America’s Got Talent. In light of the world’s economy and negativity, AGT’s winner gives hope to all dreamers. What could be a better example? A humble, unskilled, family man realizes a goal more than he could’ve imagined. With his new Las Vegas support, Skinner should make good on his promise.



Comments

One Response to “Country Singer Kevin Skinner Wins 2009 America’s Got Talent Show”

  1. karmen on June 18th, 2010 3:23 am

    SOUNDS KINDA LIKE KEVINS A PUNK…GETTIN FAMOUS AND LEAVIN HIS WIFE

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