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'America's Got Talent': 5 questions with Kevin Skinner
During rehearsals last Friday (Sept. 11) for the big finale of NBC's "America's Got Talent," airing Wednesday, Sept. 16, competitor Kevin Skinner -- the 35-year-old Kentucky "chicken catcher" with the soulful country voice -- took a break on the set to talk a bit about himself (something one suspects he's not used to doing).What's with wearing the baseball cap backward, like you did in your audition, and like you're doing today?
"Back home, it's very rare to see me without my hat, unless it's something formal, like a wedding. It's something that only I would understand. It's my frame of mind, like, when you're getting down to business, you turn your hat backwards."
"Britain's Got Talent" runner-up -- and YouTube sensation -- Susan Boyle is performing on Wednesday's finale. Are you excited about that?
"Oh, really? That's great. If she's going to be here, I'm hoping I get to hear her, because she has an extraordinary voice. All you can say is, it's God-sent. God equipped her with that gift to please people."
Who do you think is your biggest competitor among the remaining singers?
"I guess I would have to say [opera singer and cancer survivor] Barbara Padilla. All of us, we've went up a couple of hills, had to cross a couple potholes, dips in the road, to get here. I feel like everybody's equal in paying their dues, as far as coming this far."
You sang a song you wrote about your grandmother, called "Her Stone," for your initial audition, but chose Garth Brooks' "If Tomorrow Never Comes" for the first televised audition. Why?
"For some reason, that song was my grandmother's favorite song. Anything I'd go to her house, she'd always demand -- anyone who showed up, she'd offer them a meal; she would cook a hot meal for a stranger off the street -- she would always ask me to play that song. I remember playing it to her so many times."
What did you listen to growing up?
"When I was little, I liked KISS for some reason. I was born in '74, and I remember KISS had come along big. I'd always jump around, do the tongue motion -- just three or four years old. Of course, I could take my guitar out right now and play you 'Beth.'"
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KEVIN, YOU ARE WONDERFUL SINGER. I'M GLAD YOU NEVER FORGET WHERE YOU COME FROM. I'M FROM VA. I GREW UP POOR & LEARNED A LOT & NEVER FORGET MY FAMILY & WHERE I CAME.I LIKE YOUR STYLE & I FELL LIKE YOU ARE THERE & NEVER CHANGE!! YOUR FRIEND, JACQUELINE
KEVIN, GOD BLESS YOU BROTHER. YOU OF ANYONE I KNOW, DESERVE THIS WIN. IM PULLING FOR YOUR MY FRIEND, I'LL MISS JAMMING & WRINTING SONGS WITH YOU THOUGH, MAYBE YOU CAN HOOK A BRO UP, & TAKE ME ON TOUR WITH YOU SOMEDAY, ALL IN ALL, IM VERY PROUD OF YOU.
LOVE YA MAN,
YOUR FRIEND,
GENTRY RILEY
WWW.MYSPACE.COM/PAINTMOFFIA
Hey Kevin!!! I love to hear you sing and I and my family all vote for you each week. I can't wait to get your first CD. You were my favorite from the start and I am hoping with all I have that you win America's Got Talent this year. Love ya.
Connie, Jay, Kayla and Kelsey
Kevin don't ever change. I can tell you love your family
and are proud of who you are. I love to hear you sing.You get to my heart. I will pray you win. God Bless
I put in 30 votes for Kevin last night while I was watching the Jay Leno Show. Finally we have a singer who can sing, and isn't like most singers nowdays lipsynching on stage with either a CD or a MP3 playing in the background. Even if he doesn't win, he deserves a record contract. Go Kevin!
I have voted for Kevin every time. He is my kind of people & I could listen to him sing all day. I do not feel that the fun making was in any kind of taste, except poor. David imitating his speech was deplorable. These judges build up these contestants & then drop them like a bomb. Like Piers who said he could win this competition & last night said that he had never put on a good performance yet. WHO ARE THEY TO JUDGE???????????? Tight pants for Sharon - lady, they need to breathe to sing, but it broke the tension - maybe? Kevin has a place in country music & I hope the label that has Taylor Swift & Steel Magnolia will back him. We will come see Kevin perform for sure.
Kevin,
You are great. I am voting for you all I can, and sure hope you win American Got Talent this year. I have voted for you from the start.I love your style.Good luck I am pulling for you.
Kevin we love you here in Rome Georgia. We are praying that you take this all the way home. I have a granddaughter that sings country music and she is 8 years old. Good Luck and God Bless You.
Vickie
Great things are coming your way. You have a beautiful voice--just you and your guitar thats all u need.
Kevin, Never give up