Austin Brown is making headlines after returning to the America’s Got Talent (AGT) stage just days after being turned down by the judges with his original audition.
Brown is a former member of country a cappella group Home Free, which he joined in 2012. After spending around 10 years honing in on his skills with the group and performing in competitions such as The Sing-Off in 2013, Brown decided to venture out on his own and explore a career as a solo artist.
“I didn’t want to get 10, 20 years down the road and wish that I had fought harder for my dreams,” Brown said during his appearance on AGT.
In an attempt to launch his solo music career, he found himself taking the America’s Got Talent stage in front of judges Simon Cowell, Howie Mandel, Sofía Vergara, and Mel B. The Georgia native first auditioned with a performance that failed to earn him a spot in the competition. But rather than giving up, he native asked for a second chance. This bold move resulted in an opportunity to came back with an original song.
“Knowing that I could have a second chance. There’s no way in hell you would ever find me on a plane back to Nashville. I came to a GT season 20 because I’m looking for my big break now,” he shared honestly while preparing to face the judges once again.
He admits that after being rejected the first time, he was left “heartbroken.” But it wasn’t just the response from the judges that disappointed him, it was the fact that he decided to do what he thought the panel wanted him to do instead of showing his true self. So when he made his return, Brown came back stronger and more authentic than ever, but that fear of being turned down again still lingered heavily in his mind.
“Getting another chance, it terrifies me. Simon has scared me since I was a kid, honestly. So having to go back up and front again, take everything I’ve got, but I’m going to, this means so much.”
Standing on the same stage once again with a newfound level of determination, Brown let his vocals soar with his song titled, “Somebody Believed.”
As he hit the final notes of the powerful track, the audience filled the theater with applause. This time, he didn’t just win over the viewers, but he also caught the attention of the judges, who each presented him with high praise.
Vergara stated, “This is you. It feels organic. It was what you were meant to always be singing. And you looked like you were enjoying yourself.”
While Cowell never wavers in his honest critiques, he couldn’t help but tell Brown that he right to try again.
“This, I think, sounded true to who you are. You made the right decision to come back, well done.”
Both Mandel and Mel B sided shared the opinions of their fellow judges, which resulted in all four of them giving Brown a “yes”, thus allowing him to move forward to the next round of America’s Got Talent.
Brown’s musical journey has not been a straight path, but all of his hard work has led up to what will hopefully be the start of the next chapter of his career. He grew up singing Southern Gospel with his father in Tifton, Georgia, and has since developed a unique sound that he’s dubbed “countrypolitan,” which blends classic country and smooth soul. Backed by his wife Amberly and longtime supporters in his family, he took a leap of faith by auditioning for AGT, and his comeback is already proving it was worth the risk.
Fans can watch the remainder of Austin Brown’s journey unfold with new episodes of America’s Got Talent airing Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on NBC, and streaming the following day on Peacock.
The post WATCH: Austin Brown Gets A Second Chance On ‘America’s Got Talent,’ Wins Over Judges With Original Song appeared first on Country Now.