Katie Clark is a journalism student at Brigham Young University in her senior year. She is originally from Littleton, Colorado, and hopes to move back there after graduation. Reality television is her favorite to watch, and has enjoyed writing about America's Got Talent and A Chance to Dance. She is a stay-at-home-mom who enjoys writing (especially blogs), cooking and sewing (while spending far too much time on Pinterest finding inspiration) and being outside with her husband and son.
America’s Got Talent Season 7: Third Quarterfinals Music List
MUSIC FROM THE THIRD QUARTERFINALS PERFORMANCES
The Untouchables
– Sergio Mendez: Magalenha
Rock Star Juggler Mike Price
– The Who: Won’t Get Fooled Again
Inspire the Fire
Katy Perry – Firework
Cristin Sandu
– Ellie Goulding: Lights
Elusive
– James Brown: Super Bad
Jake Wesley Rogers
– Britney Spears: Toxic
All Wheel Sports
– David Guetts & Sia: Titanium
Wordspit, the Illest!
Jacob Williams
All Beef Patty
– Deniece Williams: Let’s Hear it for the Boy
Spencer Horsman
Live Wire Theatre
Turf: Is He Really Worth the Hype?
Anyone who has been watching AGT this season knows the name Turf. He’s the street dancer/contortionist that came to the auditions with an inspiring story, and a pretty unique talent. So far, he has flown through the auditions, Las Vegas, and now, the top 48. Here’s his act from last weeks performances.
Among many, he is the favorite to win. For me, I think he’s interesting. Granted, I get a little sick to my stomach while watching some of his act, just because it hurts me to watch a body move like that. I’m not sure if he’s been my favorite act so far (Donovan and Rebecca, as well as Shanice and Maurice Hayes, are the ones I am rooting for), but I do think he has a chance of winning. However, on the flip side, there are some who wonder, what’s the big deal. On my commentary from last weeks performance, the following comment was left by JP about Turf:
This is probably just me, but I need to know something about one act. What does everyone see in Turf? I don’t get it. They’re overhyping him as this great act, but I don’t see it. I’ve seen this type of act before, and he doesn’t do anything that really impresses me. He’s talented, but I don’t think he’s one of the best acts. There generally seems to be act every season that everyone loves but I don’t get, and this seems to be this season’s act. Based on tonight’s performances, I would say Tom Cotter and Donovan and Rebecca are the only two slam dunk acts in the round. After them, I would like to see two of Hawley Magic, Ben Blaque and Tim Hockenberry advance. Unfortunately, I think Turf is going to take one of those spots even though I just don’t think he was as good as the others. Maybe I’m just missing something with his act, but I just see him as good, but not great. He’s below those five in my mind, and might even be below The All Ways (though I have to admit that I generally like rock music, so they were better to me.)
Can someone answer JP’s question — what is it that everyone sees in Turf? Most comments and articles I have seen on this year’s season of AGT really do praise him, and in a way, that might bias some into thinking he’s better and more unique than he really is. In his critique last week, Howard Stern warned Turf about not letting all of the praise go to his head, because there are some other great dance acts this year (specifically, as Howard mentioned, Unity in Motion). While he appears to have a fairly large fan base now, he still needs to continue putting his best foot forward and keep his current fans, as well as win over those a little more unsure. Is Turf going to be able to step it up, and prove he is more than just a good dancer and deserves to be among the winners of AGT? What do you think of Turf? Feel free to leave your opinions, as well as vote in this poll. I’m interested to see what others think of him.
Katie Clark is a journalism student at Brigham Young University in her senior year. She is originally from Littleton, Colorado, and hopes to move back there after graduation. Reality television is her favorite to watch, and has enjoyed writing about America's Got Talent and A Chance to Dance. She is a stay-at-home-mom who enjoys writing (especially blogs), cooking and sewing (while spending far too much time on Pinterest finding inspiration) and being outside with her husband and son.
Blast From the Past: Ali and Christina, the Singing Sisters
After a post written about the “The Singing Sisters”, Christina and Ali, from Season 5 of America’s Got Talent resurfaced on our Twitter account, a follower asked for an update on them.
And just for anyone who is unfamiliar with Christina and Ali, here’s a little background on them:
These two beautiful girls from Idaho Falls made it to the top 10 on Season 5 of America’s Got Talent as a singing duo. One of the things that made them stand out is that they both have cystic fibrosis. After the season, they went on a 25-city tour with AGT. Christina has a “huge voice” and Ali is a “vocal Swiss Army knife,” according to their website, and together, were a vocal phenomenon. Here is a video of them on America’s Got Talent:
These girls truly have an amazing story of overcoming such obstacles. Since America’s Got Talent, they have written and produced a song called “Love is Gonna Find You” in 2011 with a Dove Award-winning and Grammy-nominated producer/songwriting team that worked with big names like Kelly Clarkson and Michael Jackson, which was featured in their 5-song EP that was released this past Valentine’s Day. Sadly, their older sister passed away last year, and the girls sang at her funeral. I can’t even imagine how hard that would be!
Christina just finished up her sophomore year of high school, and Ali most recently was taking a break from school at Brigham Young University-Idaho to help promote the EP. One of the seconds on the EP is an anti-bullying song, in honor of a friend who committed suicide in 2009 because of bullying. They have been interviewed by several magazines, including Twist Magazine and Seventeen earlier this year. In the Seventeen article, the girls talked about Cystic Fibrosis, and how it affects their every day life:
Ali: For me personally, I get really worn out and really tired throughout the day. It’s a struggle sometimes to remember all the medicine I have to take. Every time I eat, I have to take pills and I often have to undergo treatments. It’s a lot of time and hard work.
Christina: I always have a lot of treatments to do and I like to hang out with my friends which is hard when I have treatments.
For those unfamiliar with what Cystic Fibrosis is, it’s a genetic disease that affects digestion, weight gain, and the lungs. The lungs have a rally thick and sticky mucus that builds up and can cause infection and a general decline in function of the years. In the Twist Magazine article, the girls said that the disease affects their singing voices at times. The fact that they singing, despite that added challenge, shows what strong and talented girls they are.
These girls have every reason in the world to complain about the life card they’ve been dealt, but they seem to keep going forward with a great attitude, and seem to having a lot of success recently in their music career. I listened to a few of the songs on the EP, and it is a very uplifting, positive album with a good message. I really hope to see more of these two girls, because really, they are great role models of overcoming trials and just being good people over all. They are great examples, especially to young girls everywhere. I’ve obviously never met them, but beyond their incredible voices, seem very sweet. I’d love to talk with these girls someday!
Be sure to check out their website here for updates, pictures, videos, and more. Their album can be downloaded on iTunes here. And, to finish off, here is the music video of their song, Love is Gonna Find You:
Katie Clark is a journalism student at Brigham Young University in her senior year. She is originally from Littleton, Colorado, and hopes to move back there after graduation. Reality television is her favorite to watch, and has enjoyed writing about America's Got Talent and A Chance to Dance. She is a stay-at-home-mom who enjoys writing (especially blogs), cooking and sewing (while spending far too much time on Pinterest finding inspiration) and being outside with her husband and son.
America’s Got Talent Season 7: Second Quarterfinals Top Four!
Another week, another twelve acts were put through the gauntlet that was the second Quarterfinals of America’s Got Talent. Looking at the poll from yesterday it would appear that those that Katie believed would be going forward coincided with the top four from the poll (in order of popularity):
1. Turf
2. Donovan and Rebecca
3. Tom Cotter
4. Tim Hockenberry
Again I agree with the choices between Katie and the poll, so I would say that this was a fair representation of what the general audience enjoyed from the show. Do I think that any of these is a “Million Dollar Act” in Vegas? Personally, not really… but that doesn’t mean that I did not enjoy them.
Read more..
America’s Got Talent Top 48 Auditions
In case you missed or want to watch again some of the acts from the America’s Got Talent 2012 Top 48, you can find the America’s Got Talent Top 48 videos below!
Lion Dance Me: Quarterfinals
Danger act Lion Dance Me is consistently exciting, but the judges are looking for variety as well as skill. Hopefully, Lion Dance Me can deliver.
Turf: Quarterfinals
Turf has come a long way since his days of dancing for change on the streets of San Francisco. Now, he’s hoping to get one step closer to the million-dollar prize.
Read more..
Katie Clark is a journalism student at Brigham Young University in her senior year. She is originally from Littleton, Colorado, and hopes to move back there after graduation. Reality television is her favorite to watch, and has enjoyed writing about America's Got Talent and A Chance to Dance. She is a stay-at-home-mom who enjoys writing (especially blogs), cooking and sewing (while spending far too much time on Pinterest finding inspiration) and being outside with her husband and son.
America’s Got Talent Blast to the Past: Bianca Ryan
Before she was even a teenager, Bianca Ryan was the first winner of America’s Got Talent six years ago. Because of versatility in music choices and powerful voice, Simon Cowell once said she was “potentially one of the best singers [he has] ever heard in [his life.]” Now, six years later, what is Ryan doing now as a 17 year old?
Well first, lets visit her journey on America’s Got Talent:
(compare first season to the current season..SO much has changed, agreed? Personally, I like the judges and host a lot better now.)
That girl has some serious talent. Probably why she won, right? And the fact that she was 11 is even more incredible. What was I doing at 11? Um, I think I was performing in my 6th grade musical rendition of Tom Sawyer. Not quite the same.
Soon after winning, Ryan produced and released a self-titled album that debuted at #57 on the Billboard Top 200. Although that is the only CD she has released since AGT, she has still kept busy. She has released two EPs and done a little bit of touring.
Currently, Ryan is now 17-years-old and attending a performing arts school in Philadelphia. She is also preparing for a starring role in a feature film titled “We Be Kings.” Ryan has definitely had a good career so far, and is on the road to even more stardom. Quincy Jones, a global music producer, said that he believes Ryan will be “The next revolution in music.”
I really like her. She has genuine talent (unlike a lot of popular musicians that are her same age). I hope to see more of her in the future!
And just for fun, here is one of her most recent songs, “In My Head”.
Katie Clark is a journalism student at Brigham Young University in her senior year. She is originally from Littleton, Colorado, and hopes to move back there after graduation. Reality television is her favorite to watch, and has enjoyed writing about America's Got Talent and A Chance to Dance. She is a stay-at-home-mom who enjoys writing (especially blogs), cooking and sewing (while spending far too much time on Pinterest finding inspiration) and being outside with her husband and son.