Chris Young is praising Austin Brown after Brown’s recent return to America’s Got Talent. Brown first auditioned for AGT, singing a cover of “When A Man Loves A Woman.” At the time, both Simon Cowell and Howie Mandel turned him down, meaning Brown could not advance to the next round.
It was Cowell who suggested Brown return another time, to sing a different song. Brown reached out to the AGT producers, who amazingly found a way for him to audition again, this time to sing his original “Somebody Believed.” Brown’s stunning performance earned him a resounding yes from all four judges, including Cowell.
Young is speaking out about the audition, praising Brown’s return.
“CRAZY story and CRAZY vocals!” Young writes, along with a screenshot of Brown during his audition. “Great job Austin!”
Crazy story, indeed. Brown left Home Free in 2024, to pursue a solo career, With him now part of America’s Got Talent, it’s confirmation for Brown that he made the right choice.
“It builds my confidence,” Brown tells Everything Nash. “It makes me think, ‘Okay, this is the right choice.’ It’s really confirming for the journey, getting to here, and it gives me the opportunity to show America who I am. I’ve been daydreaming about impressing Simon since I auditioned for the second season of American Idol when I was 15 or 16. I slept on the side of the road in Atlanta when my daddy drove me up, and I didn’t even get past the first round. But that’s okay. Everything happens for a reason.
“But having this opportunity, there’s nothing better,” he adds. “I was just looking at the stats and stuff. It’s literally the No. 1 talent show out there. There’s no comparison.”
For many, being part of America’s Got Talent would be one of their biggest dreams coming true. For Brown, he’s just getting started.
“It gives me the opportunity to fulfill my dreams,” he adds. “To maybe one day be a member of the Grand Ole Opry, and to win CMA Awards, and make it on the country radio. This is a step in that direction. And I’m just looking forward to every step that comes after it.”
Young knows plenty about making it onto country radio. He has a Top 40 single with “‘Til the Last One Dies.” The song is the debut single from his new I Didn’t Come Here To Leave album, his first on Black River Entertainment.
“At this point in my career, I hope someone listens to this album and says ‘Wow, he dug deep,’” Young explains. “The funny thing is, I’m here saying, ‘Yeah, it’s one of the best things I’ve ever made,’ and I believe it wholeheartedly. It’s wild to step back and see a really long list of things I’ve gotten to do already … But I didn’t come here to leave.”
Pre-save I Didn’t Come Here To Leave here. Find the title track and all of Young’s music and upcoming shows at ChrisYoungCountry.com.
Brown is also working on new music, as he prepares to move forward on America’s Got Talent. Find all of his music and upcoming shows at AustinBrownMusic.com.
America’s Got Talent airs on Tuesday nights at 8:00 PM ET on NBC.