
Kevin Skinner, a former chicken catcher from Mayfield, Kentucky, won the fourth season of America's Got Talent. Skinner, who used to catch up to 60,000 chickens in a night, impressed the judges with his singing and guitar-playing, performing songs such as If Tomorrow Never Comes by Garth Brooks and Make You Feel My Love by Bob Dylan. His win earned him a headline show in Las Vegas and a $1 million prize.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Kevin Skinner |
| Profession | Singer/guitarist |
| Previous work | Chicken catcher |
| Audition song | "If Tomorrow Never Comes" by Garth Brooks |
| Competition prize | $1,000,000 and a headline show in Las Vegas |
| Competition placement | Winner of Season 4 |
| Judges' comments | Piers Morgan: "rough diamond"; Sharon Osbourne: "doesn't need to sound perfect" |
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What You'll Learn

Kevin Skinner's win
Kevin Skinner, a singer and guitarist from Mayfield, Kentucky, was the winner of Season 4 of America's Got Talent. Skinner, who used to work as a chicken catcher, impressed the judges with his audition performance of Garth Brooks' "If Tomorrow Never Comes". David Hasselhoff, Piers Morgan, and Sharon Osbourne voted yes, sending him straight to the Quarterfinals without having performed in the Vegas Round.
Skinner's humble personality and raw talent shone through during his performances, showcasing his ability to move the audience and judges with his genuine emotion. Despite some negative feedback and comments on his singing ability, Skinner continued to advance in the competition, ultimately reaching the finals.
In the finals, Skinner performed Aerosmith's "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" while playing the guitar and was backed by a band and vocals. Although Piers Morgan noted that the rendition wasn't perfect, he described Skinner as a "rough diamond", needing professional training. Skinner's unique quality, similar to iconic musicians such as Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan, was recognized by Sharon Osbourne, who reminded him that he didn't need to sound perfect.
Kevin Skinner received enough votes to secure his place in the Top 5 and ultimately won the competition, beating first runner-up Barbara Padilla, followed by Recycled Percussion, The Texas Tenors, and The Voices of Glory. Skinner won the grand prize of $1 million, which was put into an annuity to be paid out over 40 years, and headlined a show in Las Vegas, hosted by Jerry Springer.
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His performances
Kevin Skinner, the unemployed chicken catcher from Mayfield, Kentucky, appeared on America's Got Talent in 2009, becoming the winner of Season 4. Skinner took to the stage in blue jeans and a baseball cap, with the words "unemployed farmer" written beneath his image. Despite his humble appearance, he wowed the judges with his performance of Garth Brooks' "If Tomorrow Never Comes". His unique voice and guitar skills earned him a place in the Vegas Round, where he advanced to the Quarterfinals without even performing.
In the Quarterfinals, Skinner continued to impress with his rendition of Bob Dylan's "Make You Feel My Love". He followed this up in the Semifinals with a performance of Brenda Lee's "Always On My Mind", which received a standing ovation from judge Piers Morgan. Skinner's raw talent and captivating story resonated with audiences, and he ultimately secured enough votes to be included in the Top 5.
On the night of the final, Skinner was revealed as the winner, beating out opera singer Barbara Padilla and music group Recycled Percussion, among other talented acts. He took home the grand prize of $1,000,000 and the opportunity to headline a show in Las Vegas. Skinner's win marked a pivotal moment in his life, taking him from chicken catcher to headlining performer.
Skinner's performances on America's Got Talent showcased his natural talent and unique style. While some critics argued that his win was based more on his story than his musical ability, his journey from chicken catcher to millionaire performer captivated the nation. Skinner's humble beginnings and authentic presence struck a chord with audiences, proving that talent and passion can transcend any obstacle.
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His previous work as a chicken catcher
Kevin Skinner, the unemployed farmer and chicken catcher from Mayfield, Kentucky, won the fourth season of America's Got Talent. Skinner took the stage in blue jeans and a baseball cap, with the words "unemployed farmer" written under his image. However, when he began to sing "If Tomorrow Never Comes" by Garth Brooks, he wowed the judges with his performance.
Skinner had been working as a chicken catcher for several years before his appearance on America's Got Talent. He claimed to have caught up to 60,000 chickens in a single night with his friends. During his time on the show, he shared wild stories from his days as a chicken catcher, captivating the audience and the judges with his unique background.
Skinner's journey on America's Got Talent was a transformative one. He advanced to the Quarterfinals without even performing in the Vegas Round, solely based on the strength of his initial audition. In the Quarterfinals, he performed "Make You Feel My Love" by Bob Dylan, and in the Semifinals, he sang "Always On My Mind" by Brenda Lee, receiving a standing ovation from judge Piers Morgan.
Skinner's raw talent and humble persona resonated with the judges and the audience. Judge Piers described Skinner as a "rough diamond," acknowledging that while his performance wasn't perfect, his unique story and potential shone through. Skinner's win on America's Got Talent proved to be a life-changing moment, offering him a chance to pursue his passion for music and leave his chicken-catching days behind.
Skinner's victory on America's Got Talent brought him recognition and opportunities. As the winner, he received a cash prize of one million dollars and headlined a show in Las Vegas, performing on a regular weekly schedule. Skinner's win showcased that America's Got Talent is not just about finding the most technically skilled performers but also about discovering and celebrating unique individuals with raw talent and captivating stories.
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Judges' comments
Kevin Skinner, an unemployed farmer and former chicken catcher from Mayfield, Kentucky, appeared on America's Got Talent in 2009. Skinner told wild stories from his previous job as a chicken catcher, claiming to have caught up to 60,000 chickens in one night with his friends.
For his audition, Skinner sang "If Tomorrow Never Comes" by Garth Brooks while playing the guitar. His performance received positive feedback from judges David Hasselhoff, Piers Morgan, and Sharon Osbourne, who voted to send him straight to the Quarterfinals without requiring another performance in the Vegas Round.
Piers Morgan described Skinner as a "rough diamond" and said he embodied the spirit of the show, representing everyday Americans facing economic hardship during the recession. Sharon Osbourne acknowledged that while Skinner may not have the best voice in the competition, he reminded her of iconic performers like Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, Mick Jagger, and Lou Reed, who also didn't have perfect voices but were unique and memorable.
Despite some criticism about the focus on backstory over talent, Skinner ultimately won the competition, taking home the grand prize of $1 million and headlining a show in Las Vegas. His win demonstrated the impact of combining raw talent with a compelling personal story, showcasing the allure of the "American dream" narrative and the power of relatability in winning over audiences and judges alike.
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Post-show career
Kevin Skinner, the unemployed chicken catcher who wowed the judges and went on to win Season 4 of America's Got Talent, has had quite a successful post-show career. As the winner of the competition, Skinner took home a prize of $1,000,000 and headlined a show in Las Vegas.
Skinner, a singer and guitarist from Mayfield, Kentucky, had been working as a chicken catcher for several years before his appearance on AGT. During his audition, he performed "If Tomorrow Never Comes" by Garth Brooks, accompanying himself on the guitar. His performance impressed the judges, who sent him straight to the Quarterfinals without having to perform in the Vegas Round.
In the Quarterfinals, Skinner performed "Make You Feel My Love" by Bob Dylan, and in the Semifinals, he sang "Always On My Mind" by Brenda Lee, receiving a standing ovation from judge Piers Morgan. Despite some criticism from the judges regarding his vocal abilities, Skinner's raw talent and unique story captivated the audience and propelled him to the top.
Following his win on America's Got Talent, Skinner's post-show career took off. He headlined the America's Got Talent variety show in Las Vegas, fulfilling his dream of performing on stage. Skinner also took home a substantial cash prize, becoming a millionaire overnight.
While there is limited information available specifically on Skinner's career in the years following his AGT win, it is clear that the exposure and recognition from the show significantly impacted his life. He went from being an unemployed chicken catcher to a nationally recognized performer, showcasing his talent in front of a wide audience. Skinner's win on America's Got Talent not only provided him with a platform to pursue his passion for music but also offered him financial stability and the opportunity to connect with a fanbase.
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Frequently asked questions
The chicken catcher, Kevin Skinner, won the show.
Skinner was a singer and guitarist.
Skinner sang "If Tomorrow Never Comes" by Garth Brooks for his audition.





































