Hannan Graduate Tyler Sharp & America's Got Talent

Local singer auditions for America’s Got Talent

by Delyssa Huffman Gallipolis Daily Tribune
11.23.10 - 10:47 pm

ASHTON — It’s not everyday that dreams become a reality, but so far for Tyler Sharp, those goals of stardom are now closer in reach as the 21-year old just returned from a trip to New York to audition for America’s Got Talent.

NBC’s top rated summer series searches for acts of all ages, and brings the variety format back to the forefront of American culture by showcasing performers from across the country.

And Sharp had exactly what producers were searching for when they saw his on-line audition of him singing, “The Anchor Holds.”

“I saw an ad on Google calling for YouTube auditions for America’s Got Talent. I already had several videos posted on my YouTube account, so I thought, why not send one in and see what happens,” Sharp said. “They were calling for 90-second videos and mine was over five minutes long. Honestly, until I got the call, I had completely forgotten about submitting the video.”

The call to travel to New York and audition live in front of producers came during the Point Pleasant Big Blacks playoff game. At first, Sharp believed the call from the casting crew was a joke.

“I thought it must have been a joke, but then I knew that I hadn’t told anybody at all that I had submitted the video,” Sharp said. “The guy said he was really impressed with how deep my voice is.”

Sharp was then asked to travel to NYC by either Sunday or Monday of the following week to give the producers a chance to meet with him. “Of course I said yes,” Sharp replied.

Sharp’s live audition was just as exciting, as he talked about being ushered ahead of the crowd gathered to try-out.

“When I got there, we stood in line for a bit. As we approached the registration desk, I handed in the paperwork that the casting producer had emailed me and when they looked at it, they got on their headset and said, “We have a Q Act up front,” Sharp said.

The singer continued to say that he didn’t have to waiting in the main holding area (a large arena), but instead, he and his family was escorted into a back room for all of the Q Acts. Sharp was among 15 other Q Act contestants.

“They told me I could audition whenever I wanted,” Sharp said. “And since I was a Q Act, I was given the opportunity to audition in a room by myself with three producers, rather than in a group of 20.”

The thrilling experience continued when Sharp was asked to sing two songs, and low notes. He first chose Jeff Buckley’s “Hallelujah” and Josh Turner’s, “Long Black Train.”

At the end of the audition, casting producers talked for about 10 minutes after Sharp sang. Then they told him he would be called by March if he was chosen to be on the live show.

“Before they let me go though, a camera crew was called in. They escorted me to the large arena where they introduced me to everyone as “America’s Deepest Voice,”” Sharp said. “Hundreds upon hundreds of contestants were asked to gather behind me as they filmed me saying, “America, I’ve got talent!” in my deepest voice. Then they had the crowd cheer and clap for me in the background. It took about six takes to get it right. It was crazy!”

Back home, Sharp recalled his trip and said the best part has been all of the support and encouragement everyone has been giving him.

“My momma’s face when I came back into the room after auditioning and being filmed was priceless,” Sharp said.

It was about 11 years ago when Sharp began singing at Barton Chapel Church where he currently attends.

“This was around the time my voice started dropping and getting deeper,” Sharp said.

At first, Sharp sang with a group of guys throughout middle school and part of high school called the Faithful 5 around Mason and Putnam Counties. Then he began to sing with his aunt Michelle at different churches around the community. Now, he plays piano at church and sings there each Sunday. He also is invited to sing at other local churches.

Sharp is a 2007 graduate of Hannan High School and is currently a senior at Marshall University where he is majoring in philosophy. He said he has intentions of either pursuing a Ph.D. in the subject or going to law school.
“If singing were to become a real option for me, though, I’d do it in a heartbeat,” Sharp added.
His advice to those hoping to make their dreams come true?

“Even though I’m really in no position to give advice on how to make others dreams come true, I’d say that the best way to get recognized is to put yourself out there, locally and on the Internet,” Sharp said. “YouTube has gotten me attention from nationally touring quartets and from people around the world. That’s the power of YouTube.”

America’s Got Talent, from producers FremantleMedia North America and Simon Cowell’s SYCO Television, returns this summer with the hottest performers from across the country ready to compete in the blockbuster reality show’s fifth season. Howie Mandel (“Deal or No Deal”), one of America’s favorite entertainers, joins returning celebrity judges Sharon Osbourne and Piers Morgan this season, while actor/producer/comedian Nick Cannon returns as host.

The series is a true celebration of the American spirit, featuring a colorful array of hopeful stars, including singers, dancers, comedians, contortionists, impressionists, jugglers, magicians and ventriloquists, all vying for their chance to strut and perform on stage hoping to win America's hearts -- and the $1 million prize.

To view Sharp’s audition video or to check out his other videos, please visit: www.youtube.com/user/tylerjamessharp88.
Sharp is the son of Gary and Lisa Foley.

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