Michael Grimm during Branson interview. He has a new look for the AGT Semi Finals.
Branson, Missouri, known as the “Live music show capital of the world,” has some of the finest singers and musicians in the world playing in its live shows. Tammy Johnson, Director of Operations for the Branson Tourism Center points out that Michael Grimm, who was a guitar player and vocalist with the “Righteous Brother Bill Medley Show” in Branson, was selected by America voting to go into the semifinals of the NBC prime time hit show “America’s Got Talent (AGT)” earlier this week.
Grimm was playing with the Bill Medley show in Branson when he auditioned for AGT. After his initial appearance on AGT in the Los Angeles auditions he was selected to go to Las Vegas for the next round of competition. After his June 5th performance with the Bill Medley show he left Branson to devote full time to the AGT competition. The auditions and Las Vegas shows were taped for TV, but the Los Angeles show was performed live in front of millions of TV Viewers.
In addition to being performed live, it is the first time during the competition this year that America has gotten to vote for who they wanted to go to the next level. Up to this point the three judges Piers Morgan, Sharon Osborn and AGT’s newest judge, Howie Mandel made the decisions on who progressed to the next level. On the live show, they make recommendations and America votes. In selecting who will go into the semifinals the popular vote selects three out the four from each show and the judges pick the fourth.
The words of AGT host Nick Cannon, after watching Grimm’s audition performance, almost seems prophetic. He said, “That’s a Super Star’s voice right there.” Evidently, America agrees with him because Grimm was advanced to the semifinal round by its popular vote.
During an interview prior to leaving Branson Grimm said “I just want to get as far as I can get. It would be an honor if I can make it a couple of rounds, open some doors for my career, and make enough money to build my Grandma a new house.”
He said that his relationship with his Grandma, Laura Butters, goes back to about age four when she took over the raising of him and his sister after their parents separated. He said, “My grandma is my inspiration,” He credits her, not only with his interest in music and the start of his professional career. His career started at the age of twelve as he sang in “hole in the wall” bars in the Waveland Bay St. Louis area in southern Mississippi as his Grandma chaperoned him and sit there drinking “Diet Cokes” all night until he was through..
During that interview he also said, “It is a once in a lifetime experience and it’s been quite a ride.” Well hold on Michael the rides not over and there’s still have a house to get for Grandma.
For additional information or tickets for the “Righteous Brother Bill Medley Show” or any of Branson’s other shows, and attractions or for lodging arrangements please contact the Branson Tourism Center (BTC), one of Branson’s largest and most respected vacation planning services. BTC can be reached by either calling their toll free number 1-800-785-1550 or through their website www.BransonTourismCenter.com.