By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com
It is hard to believe that on Wednesday, Sept. 18, America’s Got Talent (AGT) will air its final episode in the 2010s. Over the past seven years, Jake’s Take has covered eight regular seasons and the inaugural season of America’s Got Talent: The Champions. Countless singers and musicians have graced the stage, but only 20 performers have made it to Jake’s Take’s Best AGT Performances of the 2010s.
20) Carmen Carter: “Come Together” (America’s Got Talent: Season 14; 2019)
Former Dancing with the Stars backup singer Carmen Carter kicks off this countdown. She stepped center stage this season and delivered impeccable performances. Her best one was during the Season 14 Judge Cuts, where Carmen performed a fiery cover of the Beatles classic.
19) In the Stairwell: “Castle on the Hill” (America’s Got Talent: Season 12, 2017)
The U.S. Air Force A cappella group put a superb twist on Ed Sheeran’s “Castle on the Hill.” In the Stairwell allowed for other A cappella groups to audition for the NBC talent competition. I wished that they got the same treatment that both Pentatonix and Home Free got due to the now-defunct The Sing-Off.
18) Sal Valentinetti: “My Way” (America’s Got Talent: Season 11, 2016)
Season 11 finalist Sal Valentinetti has a long history with talent-based competition shows. He originally auditioned for one of the last FOX seasons of American Idol. However, Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban, and Harry Connick, Jr. unceremoniously dumped him during Hollywood Week. But Idol’s lost was AGT’s gain as the crooner delivered an impeccable cover of Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” that earned Heidi Klum’s Golden Buzzer. This was the only time that I questioned J.Lo and the former talk show host’s opinions regarding vocal talent.
17) Musicality: “Born This Way” (America’s Got Talent: Season 11, 2016)
Chicago-based choir Musicality paved the way for Detroit Youth Choir and NDLOVU’s AGT success. Under the direction of Michael Gibson, these kids delivered impeccable musical numbers every time they performed on the Dolby Theatre stage. However, their cover of Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way” will always remain one of my favorite performance of theirs.
16) Robert Finley: “Medicine Woman” (America’s Got Talent: Season 14, 2019)
Vietnam War veteran Robert Finley is one of Season 14’s breakout stars. His powerful vocals remind me of legendary Blues/R&B musicians B.B. King, Ray Charles, and Sam Moore. Robert’s original song, “Medicine Woman,” gave me chills, and I pray that Simon allows him to record this song after the show.
15) Christina Wells: “I Am Changing” (America’s Got Talent: Season 13, 2018)
Jake’s Take friend, Christina Wells, delivered a powerful cover of Dreamgirls anthem, “I Am Changing” during the AGT: Season 13 live shows. It was probably one of Christina’s best vocal performances of the season!
14) Sharon Irving: “Glory” (America’s Got Talent: Season 10, 2015)
Mel B’s Golden Buzzer act, Sharon Irving, delivered a moving performance of the Oscar-winning song: “Glory.” Sharon perfectly blended rap and soul that not only inspired the Radio City Music Hall audience but the nation as well.
13) Kodi Lee, “Bridge Over Troubled Water” (America’s Got Talent: Season 14, 2019)
Clay Aiken might have some competition in the race of best Reality TV interpreter of Simon & Garfunkel’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water.” Season 14 fan-favorite Kodi Lee moved audiences to tears with his live show debut with a pitch-perfect cover of the anthem.
12) Glennis Grace, “Never Enough” (America’s Got Talent: Season 13, 2018)
Glennis Grace stunned the Season 13 audience with her beautiful cover of The Greatest Showman’s “Never Enough.” Glennis beautifully showcased her vocal range as she interpreted the Pasek and Paul-penned tune.
11) Alice Tan Ridley, “Midnight Train to Georgia” (America’s Got Talent: Season Five, 2010)
I believe that Alice Tan Ridley is one act that AGT should have supported outside the show during the show’s fifth season. The New York City subway singer delivered powerful interpretations of soul classics with her dynamo vocals. Sadly this was also the same season that Jackie Evancho made her debut and I believe that Alice should have received the same support that the opera singer was given.
10) Prince Poppycock, “Bohemian Rhapsody” (America’s Got Talent: Season Five, 2010)
Prince Poppycock kicks off the Top 10! The legendary AGT performer’s over the top performances made Season Five one of the show’s best seasons. He transported the audience to his castle where he delivered a popera take on Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” that cemented his place as one of the NBC’s talent competition’s greatest acts.
9) Edgar Family Band, “Bless the Broken Road” (America’s Got Talent: Season 11, 2016)
The Edgar Family Band was an act that was either hit or miss in my opinion. While I thought they were okay during the Judges Auditions and Judge Cuts, the trio came into their own during the Season 11 live shows. One of my favorite performances of theirs is their impeccable cover of Rascal Flatts’ “Bless the Broken Road.” They made me cry and gave me chills.
8) Sons of Serendip, “Ordinary World” (America’s Got Talent: Season Nine, 2014)
AGT: Season Nine’s Top 12 night remains one of the best performance nights in show history. Three of their fantastic music acts delivered some of the season’s memorable moments that evening. Up first, Jake’s Take friends Sons of Serendip. The quartet beautifully rearranged Duran Duran’s “Ordinary World” and its successful performance lead them to the Season Nine finale.
7) Emil & Dariel, “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” (America’s Got Talent: Season Nine, 2014)
Jake’s Take friends Emil & Dariel might have been the inspiration for countless young performers auditioning for the NBC talent competition. Just as Sons of Serendip, Emil & Dariel were also part of the Season Nine Top 12 episode. They delivered one of the best covers of an Aerosmith song on a talent-based TV show. The brothers’ arrangement and decision to add a band and chorus with them was a spectacular move. I hope Simon and the AGT production team invite them to compete on Champions’ sophomore season.
6) Linkin’ Bridge, “7 Years” (America’s Got Talent: Season 11, 2016)
One of my favorite moments of my 20s was when I saw a taping of America’s Got Talent: Season 11 Judge Auditions. In addition to receiving a fist bump from Howie Mandel and shaking hands with Simon, I distinctively remember watching Linkin’ Bridge sing “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” I prayed that the Kentucky quartet would make it to the Season 11 Live Shows. Their best performance was their haunting cover of Lukas Graham’s “7 Years.” It moved me to tears and sent them to the Season 11 finale.
5) Emily West, “Nights in White Satin” (America’s Got Talent: Season Nine, 2014)
Emily West remains one of the best solo singers to have ever graced the AGT stage. The siren delivered haunting covers of EDM and rock classics. She is the last performer from the Season Nine Top 12 night that made this countdown. Emily’s gorgeous cover of the Moody Blues’ “Nights in White Satin” not only cemented her place in the Season Nine finals, but also in the NBC singing competition’s pantheon of fantastic singers.
4) Branden James, “Hallelujah” (America’s Got Talent: Season Eight, 2013)
3) Angel City Chorale, “The Rising” (America’s Got Talent: Season 13, 2018)
Angel City Chorale is probably the best choir that has appeared on AGT. Under the direction of Sue Fink, this 160-member chorus mission by building community one song at a time struck a chord with me. During their final appearance on the NBC talent competition, Angel City Chorale paid tribute to the 9/11 first responders with a beautiful rendition of Bruce Springsteen’s “The Rising.”
2) Forte Tenors, “The Prayer” (America’s Got Talent: Season Eight, 2013)
The second incarnation of the Forte Tenors (Josh Page, Sean Panikkar, and Fernando Varela) revisited their Las Vegas Judge Cuts performance of “The Prayer” during the Season Eight finale. With the help of creative producer Brian Burke, a choir, an orchestra, and the Radio City Music Hall audience, the trio elevated the Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli duet to new heights.
- Andrew De Leon, “Regresa A Mi” (America’s Got Talent: Season Seven, 2012)
Self-taught singer Andrew De Leon was AGT: Season Seven’s breakout star. While he stunned the judges during the auditions, his abysmal performance during Vegas Week sent him home. However, fans demanded that the AGT production team bring back Andrew as a Wild Card act. Howie made Andrew’s dreams come true when he invited him back to perform in the Season Seven Wild Card show. Andrew’s “Regresa A Mi” remains not only the best performance of the 2010s but also the best AGT comeback performance of all-time!
I do not own any of these clips. They belong to NBC and Syco Entertainment.
[…] Note: Earlier this summer, I revealed my Top 20 ‘America’s Got Talent’ performances from the decade. Click on the link to find out which performances made the […]