~ Jon James
In the radio business, you meet lots of people with smooth, deep and rich voices. Though I’m certainly not one of them, I can name a bunch I’ve worked with, notably Randy McCoy (True Country) and the late Bruce Stevens, who I worked with for several years in the past decade.
“Golden voice” is not a title bestowed easily but you know it when you hear it. The second I heard Isaac Atkins speak, I knew.
Atkins, “The Singing Soldier” of Lewiston, is headed back to the “America’s Got Talent” stage after earning a coveted Golden Buzzer from Mel B during his audition.
The new season premieres Tuesday, Aug. 18, on NBC, although it’s not yet known which live show Atkins will perform in.
The 24-year-old Army sergeant, who is stationed in Hawaii, wowed the judges with his performance of the Four Seasons’ “Beggin.” Mel B loved it so much she hit the Golden Buzzer, sending him straight to the next round.
Known on TikTok as the “Singing Soldier,” Atkins has seen his following soar from about 73,000 to more than 114,000 in just a few weeks. His online popularity took off last year after a video of him singing Coldplay’s “Sparks” at a karaoke bar went viral.
His father, Glen Atkins of Lewiston, says watching his son’s Golden Buzzer moment still brings tears to his eyes.
“Seeing him on that stage reminds me of all those years he spent singing in the car and at home,” Glen said. “It’s amazing to see how far he’s come.”
Before the audition, Isaac sent his father a recording of “Beggin.” Glen immediately knew it was the right song.
“I told him that song was made for him,” he said. “He absolutely nailed it.”
For Glen, the competition isn’t about winning.
“What matters is the impact he’ll have on people,” he said. “The world only saw him for a few minutes, but we’ve watched him grow into this his whole life. I couldn’t be more proud.”
From all Mainers, Isaac, thank you for your service and best of luck!
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