BECKLEY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Kamron Lawson will be continuing his journey to become the next American Idol after Sunday’s episode saw the Beckley native secure a “yes” from each of the show’s three superstar judges.
Some background was given on Lawson prior the viewers bearing witness to the audition itself. This included Lawson touching on his time as an associate at the North Eisenhower Walmart in Beckley, WV.
“I love to sing at work,” said the Woodrow Wilson graduate. “I’ll go to the bathroom and sing; I’ll stand at registers and sing while I’m ringing people up. I actually auditioned for American Idol while I was working.”
Lawson’s co-workers even made an appearance via video to offer encouragement to the young singer.
“Do it just like you do here at home,” they said. “Customers, associates, you know how you sing to them every day? We’re backing you, and we know that you’re going to be the next American Idol!”
When Lawson came face to face with judges Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan, and Katy Perry, he pulled out an old stand-by which admirers might recall from one of his many viral performance videos: A-ha’s “Take on Me.”
The tune effectively demonstrated the singer’s broad range and silky smooth, soaring falsetto, but that wasn’t all that the judges would hear from Lawson during Sunday’s episode. The Raleigh County native also pulled out one of Lionel Richie’s own songs: “Truly,” as the artist himself conducted from the judge’s chair.
“Do you know how hard, first of all, that song is?,” Richie queried. “Just the fact that you tried it; I don’t think anyone’s ever done that in front of me on television.”
Richie offered some tips on delivery, indicating the Lawson may benefit from studying his own delivery and technique.
“You’ve got a great voice, you’ve got a great falsetto – one of the best falsetto’s we’ve heard,” declared County star Luke Bryan, encouraging Lawson to own the moment and project confidence.
Katy Perry advised her co-judges that performing in front of the three superstars would be intimidating for any musician, and remarked upon the potential star-power projected by Lawson,
“There is something about you that is sparkling at me,” said the “Dark Horse” singer. “There’s something special about him, you know it when you look at him. There’s a light that he’s exuding,” she continued before delivering a “yes” vote for the singer.
Richie continued, offering some advice: “If you think you’re scared to death now, wait until you get on that plane and go to Hollywood. It’s a ‘yes’ from me.”
Luke Bryan gave the final vote, stating, “Your light, your sparkle is what’s doing it. You’re a ‘yes’ from me. Go have fun.”
Lawson continues his American Idol journey after securing unanimous “yes” votes from the show’s panel of esteemed judges. Viewers back home and nationwide will be watching with baited breath to find out if Kamron Lawson will become the next American Idol.
American Idol airs Sundays on ABC a 8:00pm.