American Idol91Ƶs latest 91ƵPlatinum Ticket91Ƶ contestant was wowing Metro Vancouver-area crowds with his singing 10 years ago, long before his acclaimed performance on the television show Sunday (Feb. 19).
, 17, impressed judges Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan with his rendition of Billy Joel91Ƶs 91ƵNew York State of Mind91Ƶ over the weekend, earning a special pass to the Hollywood round of the contest.
The judges were floored by Venagas91Ƶ vocals.
91ƵYou sang notes and runs that I haven91Ƶt felt in my body in a long time, and I felt so connected. I felt alive,91Ƶ Perry raved.
91ƵHe91Ƶs claiming to be 17 years old but he91Ƶs performing like a 45-year-old,91Ƶ Ritchie added.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW VIDEO
In Surrey a decade ago, as a seven-year-old sensation, Tyson won the 2013 BC Junior Talent Search contest at Cloverdale Rodeo & Country Fair.
Many of those in the audience figured he91Ƶd be a star one day, after hearing his version of the R&B classic 91ƵRoute 66.91Ƶ
Video of the song is posted on the Now newspaper91Ƶs Youtube channel.
A year later, in 2014, Tyson sang 91ƵO Canada91Ƶ during Surrey91Ƶs Canada Day celebration in Cloverdale.
to watch a 24-second clip of the performance.
On his Facebook page this week, Tyson thanked the three judges for sending him to the Hollywood round of American Idol.
91ƵI hit the jackpot!91Ƶ he exclaimed.
tom.zillich@surreynowleader.com
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