Justin Rhodes has been playing piano since he was 3-years-old.
“My dad sat me down and that was the beginning of music for me,” the singer-piano player said as a contestant on Season 9 of America’s Got Talent.
Though his parents loved that he played music, they didn’t want him to pursue music as a career. Perhaps they had foreseen the difficulties that he would face on his path.
“It has not been an easy road,” Rhodes said. “It quickly became what would be my undoing.”
Rhodes eventually moved from Buffalo, NY to New York City where he ended up playing in bars and clubs. Having drinks after work eventually led to drug use.
“It was the darkest time of my life,” Rhodes, who now lives in Tampa, FL, said.
Although his dad father never said it directly, Rhodes felt that his dad was disappointed in him as his only son.
“I was ashamed, I was embarrassed and I was worthless,” he said.
Rhode’s dad hasn’t seen him perform since he was a kid. Rhodes feared that his father would never get to see him perform since he was getting older and it was harder for his dad to move around.
Rhodes hoped that his audition could help him redeem himself with his father.
“This audition isn’t just about me succeeding,” he said. “It’s about me proving to my dad that I am worth something. This is what I was meant to do.”
When Rhodes took the stage he told judges Howard Stern, Heidi Klum, Mel B, and Howie Mandel that he would perform Avicii’s “Wake Me Up.”
The soulful rendition of the song not only pleased Rhode’s father but the crowd as well. They all stood and cheered him on during his song.
His father was moved to tears to see how powerful his son’s performance was. The judges were touched as well.
“Wow, I really loved listening to your voice,” Klum said. “You took me on your journey. I really really like it and I think you’re very special.”
Mel B told Rhodes that he, and his voice, were sexy and that his performance was pitch perfect.
Stern said he would love to hear more from Rhodes, while Mandel had a message for Rhodes’ father.
“You did something right sir, and you should be very proud,” he said.
All four judges gave Rhodes the green light and sent him on to the next round. You can watch the moving audition below.
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