Jake Harper
In 2009, Kevin Skinner, a 35-year-old unemployed chicken catcher from Kentucky, won the fourth season of America's Got Talent. Skinner's performance of Garth Brooks' If Tomorrow Never Comes impressed the judges, who described him as a rough diamond. Despite some criticism of his singing ability, Skinner won the $1 million top prize and went on to perform in Las Vegas. Since his win, Skinner has largely stayed out of the spotlight, although he did release an album, Long Ride, in 2010.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Kevin Skinner |
| Occupation | Chicken catcher, unemployed farmer |
| Age | 35 |
| Place of Birth | Mayfield, Kentucky |
| Talent | Singing and playing guitar |
| Audition Song | "If Tomorrow Never Comes" by Garth Brooks |
| Prize Money | $1 million |
| Prize | Headlining spot in the AGT Las Vegas show |
| Album | Long Ride |
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What You'll Learn
Kevin Skinner's performance
Kevin Skinner, a 35-year-old unemployed chicken catcher and farmer from Mayfield, Kentucky, took the stage of America's Got Talent in 2009, wearing blue jeans and a baseball cap. He strummed his guitar and sang "If Tomorrow Never Comes" by Garth Brooks, wowing the judges with his rich voice.
Skinner told the judges about his previous work as a chicken catcher, explaining that some nights he and his crew caught as many as 60,000 chickens. The judges, David Hasselhoff, Piers Morgan, and Sharon Osbourne, were so impressed by Skinner's audition that they sent him straight to the quarterfinals.
During the quarterfinals, Skinner performed Bob Dylan's "Make You Feel My Love," and in the semifinals, he sang Brenda Lee's "Always On My Mind," receiving a standing ovation from Piers Morgan.
Despite some criticism from the judges about his lack of professional training and imperfect vocals, Skinner's unique and authentic style shone through. David Hasselhoff summed it up by saying, "You're what this show's about," and "America deserves to see you."
Skinner went on to become the Season 4 winner of America's Got Talent, taking home $1 million in prize money and headlining the AGT Las Vegas show. He released an album called "Long Ride" in 2010 and has largely stayed out of the spotlight since.
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Judges' reactions
Kevin Skinner, a chicken catcher from Mayfield, Kentucky, won the fourth season of America's Got Talent. Skinner's performance of "If Tomorrow Never Comes" by Garth Brooks impressed the judges, who were Piers Morgan, Sharon Osbourne, and David Hasselhoff.
Piers Morgan said Skinner's rendition "wasn't perfect" but described the moment as the point of Skinner's journey as a "rough diamond", needing professional training. He also said that Skinner was what the show was created for. Sharon Osbourne said that Skinner didn't have the best voice in the contest but reminded him that he didn't need to sound perfect, comparing him to other unique icons such as Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, Mick Jagger, and Lou Reed. David Hasselhoff said, "You're what this show's about. America deserves to see you."
Skinner's win was controversial, with some people arguing that he won due to his compelling story rather than his talent. One person commented, "I think everyone got caught up in his story and his demeanour, not his talent. It's called America's Got Talent, not America's Got a Good Sad Story." Another person agreed, saying that the show had become "more and more about who has the tough luck story and not nearly as much about talent."
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Audience reaction
Online forums had a more divided response to Skinner's win. Some forum users were happy for him, acknowledging his great story and praising his demeanour. Others, however, felt that Skinner's backstory had unfairly influenced the judges' and audience's decision, arguing that other contestants were more talented. These critics believed that the show should focus more on talent than sad stories.
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Post-win plans
Kevin Skinner, the chicken catcher who won America's Got Talent, took home $1 million in prize money and was awarded the headlining spot in the AGT Las Vegas show. He released his album, Long Ride, in 2010 and has largely stayed out of the spotlight since.
Skinner, a self-described "down-home kind of country boy", impressed the judges with his performance of the Garth Brooks hit "If Tomorrow Never Comes". He also performed Bob Dylan's "Make You Feel My Love" in the quarterfinals and Brenda Lee's "Always On My Mind" in the semifinals, receiving a standing ovation from judge Piers Morgan.
Despite his win, Skinner remained humble and unsure of what he would do with the cash prize. He told UsMagazine.com, "I hadn't really thought about the money. I'm thinking more right now about what I'm going to do in Vegas."
Skinner's win on America's Got Talent allowed him to pursue his music career and showcase his talent to a wider audience. With his prize money, he could invest in his music, improve his skills, and potentially collaborate with other artists. The Las Vegas show provided an opportunity to perform live and connect with fans, building a platform for future endeavours in the entertainment industry.
Skinner's post-win plans likely involved capitalising on the momentum gained from America's Got Talent. He could have used his newfound fame to secure performance opportunities, collaborate with other artists, and build a solid fan base. With his authentic image and unique story, Skinner had the potential to establish himself in the country music scene and beyond.
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Skinner's background
Kevin Skinner, the winner of the fourth season of America's Got Talent, is a country music singer and guitarist from Mayfield, in the Jackson Purchase region of Graves County, Kentucky. Skinner was born on February 25, 1974, and started playing the guitar at the age of 12. He learned the art of music from his musician father, Joe, who is a fan of Hank Williams.
Before appearing on America's Got Talent, Skinner worked as a chicken catcher for several years, rounding up as many as 60,000 chickens in a single night with a crew of five others. He described himself as an unemployed farmer and a "down-home kind of country boy" during his introduction on the show.
Skinner's audition song, "If Tomorrow Never Comes" by Garth Brooks, impressed the judges so much that they sent him straight to the quarterfinals. He received a standing ovation from judge Piers Morgan for his performance of "Always On My Mind" by Brenda Lee in the semifinals. Despite some criticism from the judges for his imperfect vocals, Skinner won over the audience and judges with his unique style and story.
After winning the $1 million top prize on America's Got Talent, Skinner released an album called "Long Ride" in 2010 and has largely stayed out of the spotlight since. He has been described as a humble and genuine person who captured the hearts of many with his talent and story.
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Frequently asked questions
Kevin Skinner, a chicken farmer from Mayfield, Kentucky, won the fourth season of America's Got Talent.
Skinner performed "If Tomorrow Never Comes" by Garth Brooks, "Make You Feel My Love" by Bob Dylan, and "Always On My Mind" by Brenda Lee.
Judge Piers Morgan described Skinner as a "rough diamond," needing professional training but with a unique voice and story. David Hasselhoff said, "America deserves to see you... You're what this show's about." Sharon Osbourne reminded Skinner that he doesn't need to sound perfect, comparing him to other unique icons such as Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan.
