American Idol㽶Ƶֱs latest 㽶ƵֱPlatinum Ticket㽶Ƶֱ contestant was wowing Metro Vancouver-area crowds with his singing 10 years ago, long before his acclaimed performance on the television show Sunday (Feb. 19).
, 17, impressed judges Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan with his rendition of Billy Joel㽶Ƶֱs 㽶ƵֱNew York State of Mind㽶Ƶֱ over the weekend, earning a special pass to the Hollywood round of the contest.
The judges were floored by Venagas㽶Ƶֱ vocals.
㽶ƵֱYou sang notes and runs that I haven㽶Ƶֱt felt in my body in a long time, and I felt so connected. I felt alive,㽶Ƶֱ Perry raved.
㽶ƵֱHe㽶Ƶֱs claiming to be 17 years old but he㽶Ƶֱs performing like a 45-year-old,㽶Ƶֱ Ritchie added.
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In Surrey a decade ago, as a seven-year-old sensation, Tyson won the 2013 BC Junior Talent Search contest at Cloverdale Rodeo & Country Fair.
Many of those in the audience figured he㽶Ƶֱd be a star one day, after hearing his version of the R&B classic 㽶ƵֱRoute 66.㽶Ƶֱ
Video of the song is posted on the Now newspaper㽶Ƶֱs Youtube channel.
A year later, in 2014, Tyson sang 㽶ƵֱO Canada㽶Ƶֱ during Surrey㽶Ƶֱs Canada Day celebration in Cloverdale.
to watch a 24-second clip of the performance.
On his Facebook page this week, Tyson thanked the three judges for sending him to the Hollywood round of American Idol.
㽶ƵֱI hit the jackpot!㽶Ƶֱ he exclaimed.
tom.zillich@surreynowleader.com
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