WATCH: 24-Year-Old Drake Milligan Wows ‘America’s Got Talent’ Judges, Deemed ‘The New Elvis of Country’
Country singer Drake Milligan performed his original song “Sounds Like Something I’d Do” on America’s Got Talent. The 23-year-old Fort…
Drake Milligan; Photo by Chris Haston, NBC
Country singer Drake Milligan performed his original song “Sounds Like Something I’d Do” on America’s Got Talent.
The 23-year-old Fort Worth, Texas native who cited Elvis Presley as his inspiration to pursue a music career performed for judges Simon Cowell, Howie Mandell, Sofia Vergara, and Heidi Klum.
Milligan shared he’s now based out of Music City, has been writing songs, and has hit the road with his band. Milligan said that since many new artists don’t get signed in Nashville, he sees America’s Got Talent as his pathway to stardom, pointing out that Presley and The Beatles had the Ed Sullivan Show back in the day.
Milligan played guitar and performed with his band during his audition, which seemed to energize the crowd and had judges Vergara and Klum especially enjoying the song as well.
Following his audition, Milligan received a roaring ovation from the audience, with one onlooker remarking, “that’d better get a yes from everybody.”
“That’s an original, right?” Mandel asked Milligan.
“Yes,” Milligan responded.
“I think that song’s a hit,” Mandel said. “And I think that you’re a hit,” he added. “You’re like the new Elvis [Presley] of country and you’re gonna break out from this particular song in this particular moment on this particular night.”
“Thank you very much,” Milligan said.
“I loved it,” Klum continued to lavish Milligan with praise. “I also love that you guys are a band. We don’t have a lot of bands yet this season, so I think you are perfect for America’s Got Talent,” she explained.
“The perfect combination, the song was amazing,” Vergara agreed. “You are amazing and I think America’s gonna go crazy. The girls were going crazy,” she gestured toward the crowd behind her, who roared with applause again.
“Sometimes when we get bands on the show, it honestly sounds like a mess” Cowell remarked, concluding the judges’ comments. “With you, it was the opposite. I think this performance should make a difference with what you’re doing. The song was really, really good as well. It was authentic.”
Milligan ultimately received four yes votes from the judges, which put him through to the next round of the competition.
“He’s a star and that song is gonna be a hit,” Mandell said as Milligan and his band exited the stage.
Following his AGT audition, Milligan shared that his song “Sounds Like Something I’d Do” was available via his self-titled debut EP.
Written by
Christine Sellers