The parade of musical talent from Alabama continues on the national stage.
Fourteen-year-old Reid Wilson from Montgomery won the “Golden Buzzer” Tuesday night on "America’s Got Talent."
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Wilson, in this television debut, belted out a solid, mature-sounding rendition of the super-hit “You Don’t Own Me” by Leslie Gore. After finishing, Wilson owned the judges.
The young and sweet-looking teen wore a turtleneck. The braces on his teeth were evident and added to the image of innocent youth.
Wilson said that he had only sung for small family gatherings and had not yet performed on a big stage. That all changed Tuesday night.
“When I was little, I would just run around the house screaming at the top of my lungs,” he told producers. “I was not good at all. I just kind of started teaching myself from there.”
Wilson said he had only grown serious about singing during the past year.
“I’m definitely nervous,” said Wilson backstage, “but I’m going to put my all into those two minutes to sing my heart out and just try not to miss a note.”
Wilson did exactly that and was rewarded with Judge Howie Mandel’s Golden Buzzer. His performance was on episode six of Season 19 of "America’s Got Talent."
The song Wilson selected was a bit unlikely. It is worded as a woman’s song.
"You don’t own me, I’m not just one of your many toys. You don’t own me, don’t say I can’t go with other boys."
The hit became an anthem in women’s rights and feminism by challenging current beliefs that men could have possession over their female partners.
There’s something that 14-year-old Wilson and the veteran judges may not have known or thought about. When Lesley Gore recorded “You Don’t Own Me,” she was only slightly older than Reid Wilson is now. She was 17 but had already had another super-hit, “It’s My Party.”
Reid Wilson’s success continues a remarkable series by young Alabama singers. Earlier this year, 15-year-old Triston Harper of McIntosh competed his way to the Top Five in "American Idol." Then, Asher HaVon, 31, of Selma, won "The Voice."
Reid Wilson’s brother Ryley Tate Wilson had competed in the Top Eight in "The Voice.”
Stars fell on Alabama.
Jim ‘Zig’ Zeigler’s beat is the colorful and positive about Alabama. He writes about Alabama people, places, events, groups and prominent deaths. He is a former Alabama Public Service Commissioner and State Auditor. You can reach him for comments at ZeiglerElderCare@yahoo.com.
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