17-year-old Daniel Joyner is a singer who comes from the tiny town of Alamo, in West Tennessee, right in the heart of the bible belt.
When he stepped onto the America’s Got Talent stage back in 2016 to perform in front of the judges for the first time, his whole family looked on in anticipation, including his father who works as a minister.
Daniel wanted nothing more than to make them proud and to be able to show them that music was a real potential career path going forward for him as he approached adulthood. Seventeen is the age that all students start considering what to do next in life — college, trade school, jobs, etc. Daniel had always dreamed of being a professional singer.
The song he chose to sing for his AGT audition was a song first recorded in 1932 — “Try A Little Tenderness” by Ray Noble Orchestra.
The tune was made famous by soul singer Otis Redding when he recorded his own version decades later in 1966. The original track is an American classic, yet a very unusual choice for someone Daniel’s age. Most young people have never even heard of Otis Redding, not to mention Ray Noble Orchestra.
Yet, as soon as Daniel started singing, judges and crowd alike knew he was something special.
There was just so much soul in his voice and you could tell he really put his heart into the performance.
While he was obviously a little nervous at first, Daniel quickly found his rhythm and delivered the lyrics both smoothly and in perfect pitch.
He ended the song to loud and roaring applause from the audience. The judges agreed it was a great effort too.
“That was beautiful! I was a little worried in the beginning because you seemed a little stiff and a little nervous, but then wow, when you started singing you felt right at home,” said judge Heidi Klum.
Judge Mel B also commented on Daniel’s nervousness, and her only advice to him was that he work on letting loose a little bit for next time.
Besides that, she said that he had “really got the chops”, which in other words means she liked what she saw.
It’s understandable though that Daniel was a little shy up there on the stage. It turns out that he had never really sung in front of large groups of people before, and the audience in front of him now literally numbered in the thousands. How is that for getting thrown into the deep end?!
Howie Mandel was noticeably impressed.
“You are truly a talent. America’s got talent, and America’s got you!” Howie told him.
Even Simon Cowell had something positive to say:
“Your voice is fantastic, I mean, really really really really good. I’m really impressed,” said Simon.
The end result? A unanimous yes from all four judges sending Daniel onto the next round of the competition.
The audience all jumped up to celebrate.
Everyone was excited for him, while Daniel himself really just looked relieved.
We can only imagine how nerve-wracking that performance must have been for him, but he handled the situation with grace. He gave a big smile, bowed to the audience and judges, and strolled off the stage.
Although Daniel Joyner eventually was voted off of the show in later rounds, the world will always remember his epic audition that day where he helped make an old song new again.
Watch the whole video of Daniel Joyner’s performance of “Try A Little Tenderness” below.
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