By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com
On Tuesday, September 14, America’s Got Talent (AGT) will air part one of its sixteenth season finale. As the acts prepare for their $1 million performance, Jake’s Take wants to celebrate this remarkable season by revisiting some of its’ best music moments.
#11-T.3 Roars “Into the Unknown”
T.3 kicks off our countdown with their out-of-this-world vocal of Panic! At the Disco’s version of “Into the Unknown.” The TikTok sensations blew me away with their outstanding harmonies, and this group has a bright future ahead of them.
#10-Northwell Health Nurses Choir covers Dear Evan Hansen
Earlier this season, I thought Howie Mandel wasted his Golden Buzzer on the Northwell Health Nurses Choir after seeing the Curtis Family C-Notes, Dustin Tavella, Gina Brillon, and Kabir Singh in action. However, when the group performed Dear Evan Hansen’s anthemic “You Will Be Found,” the choir proved me wrong and gave me one of the only sets of chills that I received during the quarterfinals.
#9-Korean Soul Tackles Aerosmith
It has been seven years since an act brilliantly covered the Diane Warren-penned tune on AGT. However, Season Nine alums Emil & Dariel have competition after boyband Korean Soul sang the Armageddon anthem. Their harmonies were on-point, and they gave me a strong case of goosebumps.
#8-JW’s Inspirational Singers of NYC Make the Judges “Stand Up”
In four minutes, JW’s Inspirational Singers of New York City became one of my all-time favorite auditions of the Simon Cowell era of the show. This collective of Broadway performers transformed Cynthia Erivo’s “Stand Up” into a massive showstopper. I was blown away and surprised that this phenomenal group was not invited to compete in the Season 16 live shows.
#7-Storm Large “Takes On” The Eighties:
I was so thrilled to learn that AGT fans voted Storm Large into the quarterfinals as this season’s America’s Wildcard. During the round, she took a massive risk and performed a stripped-back version of A-ha’s “Take on Me.” I was blown away by the combination of the arrangement and Storm’s gorgeous vocals. Storm, you earned a fan for life! I cannot wait to see what you do next!
#6-The Curtis Family C-Notes Take on Stevie
One of my favorite acts that competed on AGT this season was San Francisco-based family band: The Curtis Family C-Notes. This seven-member band paid homage to Motown icon and music legend Stevie Wonder with their outstanding performance of “I Was Made to Love Her.” From their extraordinary arrangement and vocal harmonies to their musicality, it was the first audition this season that gave me chills and kept me coming back to their clip countless times this season. I cannot wait to see what the Curtis Family C-Notes do next!
#5-1aChord Transforms “Every Breath You Take” Into a Gospel Anthem
1aChord was one of my favorite acts of the season! I got chills from every performance. But, my absolute favorite was their gospel take on The Police’s iconic “Every Breath You Take.” Their harmonies and the backing choir blew the Dolby Theatre’s roof away.
#4-Tory Vagasy Proves Howie Wrong with a bit of help from Six the Musical
Since she auditioned for AGT, singer Tory Vagasy faced one brutal critic – veteran judge Howie Mandel. However, the Broadway hopeful proved him wrong during the Dolby Theatre live shows with her beautiful take of Six the Musical’s “Heart of Stone.” Those vocal runs were epic and gave me chills.
#3-Brooke Simpson Tackles Ed Sheeran
I have been a fan of Brooke Simpson since she first auditioned on The Voice and made it to the finals on Team Miley in 2017. Brooke auditioned for AGT four years later and has become a top contender for the Season 16 crown. During the final round of the semifinals, Brooke transformed Ed Sheeran’s “Bad Habits” into an outstanding Soul-EDM anthem that made audiences dance and voted her into the finale.
#2-Nightbirde’s Golden Buzzer Audition
On June 8, 2021, fans were introduced to one of the season’s breakout stars. 30-year-old Zanesville, Ohio native Jane Marczewski who goes by the moniker Nightbirde when she performs, stepped onto the Pasadena Civic Center and into show history. She melted fans’ hearts around the world when she sang her original tune: “It’s Ok.” This tune reflected the past year in her life where she was battling cancer. Nightbirde proved that she was more than the deadly disease she was fighting as the Got Talent creator gave her the Golden Buzzer. Sadly, Nightbirde had to drop out of the competition due to health concerns. We love you, Jane! Thank you for making an impact on this season.
#1-Jimmie Herrod’s Run
Ever since I saw Jimmie Herrod stood his ground when he refused to change his audition tune for Simon, I knew that he would play a massive role in this season. His powerful take of Annie’s iconic anthem, “Tomorrow,” proved the Got Talent creator wrong and earned Sofia Vergara’s Golden Buzzer. He continued to build upon his viral moment with a beautiful cover of Willie Wonka & The Chocolate Factory’s “Pure Imagination” and a haunting version of P!nk’s “Glitter in the Air.” If a singer wins AGT, I hope it is Jimmie because he is one of the show’s best male vocalists of all time!
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