American Idol鈥檚 latest 鈥淧latinum Ticket鈥� 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 Joel鈥檚 鈥淣ew York State of Mind鈥� over the weekend, earning a special pass to the Hollywood round of the contest.
The judges were floored by Venagas鈥� vocals.
鈥淵ou sang notes and runs that I haven鈥檛 felt in my body in a long time, and I felt so connected. I felt alive,鈥� Perry raved.
鈥淗e鈥檚 claiming to be 17 years old but he鈥檚 performing like a 45-year-old,鈥� Ritchie added.
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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 he鈥檇 be a star one day, after hearing his version of the R&B classic 鈥淩oute 66.鈥�
Video of the song is posted on the Now newspaper鈥檚 Youtube channel.
A year later, in 2014, Tyson sang 鈥淥 Canada鈥� during Surrey鈥檚 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.
鈥淚 hit the jackpot!鈥� he exclaimed.
tom.zillich@surreynowleader.com
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