They say that losing one sense (sight, sound, etc.) makes your other senses stronger. That was certainly the case for blind vocalist Robert Finley, who rocked up to his America’s Got Talent audition with a wicked personality and a singing voice that made the entire audience jump up and dance.
Robert’s rock ‘n’ roll AGT audition has gone viral, racking up over 559,000 YouTube views in just two weeks of hitting the site.
Starring on the show’s fourteenth season (2019), Robert was led to center-stage by show host Terry Crews, and from the audience’s point of view, he was bound to be an instant star. 65 years old in a black leather cowboy hat, matching leather pants and a long-tailed black jacket, Robert was the epitome of ‘cool grandad’ even before he showed off his wildfire talent.
But then, Robert revealed the tragic truth behind his blindness. He told judges that he was a carpenter for his entire adult life, but lost his sight to glaucoma (an eye disease which can damage the optic nerve). But following the loss of his vision, Robert didn’t wallow in his sorrow. Instead, he turned to music, a lifelong passion of his, telling judges: “I had to lose my physical sight so that I could see my true destiny.”
With a family member watching on from the stage wings, Robert earned instant support and applause, before revealing he was taking a gamble by singing an original song, titled, “Get It While You Can.”
As Robert’s upbeat country-blues backing track started, it was clear that this singer was a true undiscovered star, full of stage presence and character as he poured every ounce of energy into his performance, absolutely slaying his song from his very first vocal line.
It’s always a risk performing a brand new track to an audience who doesn’t know you. But Robert’s song was as powerful as a chart-topper, pulling retro moods into his pop composition that made it feel instantly memorable, as if it’d been circling the radio playlists for decades.
Judge Howie Mandel was automatically wowed as the grandad danced and sang pitch-perfectly, gruff voice aged like fine wine as his high-energy performance sparked a dance party which rushed through the entire audience. Judge Julianne Hough felt the energy and joined the party, while Simon Cowell smiled through Robert’s entire performance.
Howie was first to give his feedback, telling Robert: “We can tell, with so much passion, that this is your dream. With your talent, you deserve it. It’s so important for people to listen to the song and live life the way you do. You’re an inspiration and a great talent. I love you.” Even Simon said, “I actually liked you before you started singing. You’ve got this great soul about you.”
Robert earned four Yes votes from the judges, and made it through to the semi-finals where he was eliminated. He re-appeared on AGT’s All-Stars series in 2023, where he was eliminated in the Preliminaries.
Robert Finley’s incredible journey on America’s Got Talent is a testament to his undeniable talent and charisma. His viral audition has captured the hearts of many, proving that age is just a number when it comes to passion and talent. Don’t miss the chance to explore more about Robert’s inspiring story and exceptional performances. For further insight into his musical journey and upcoming projects, check out the links provided below.