Dolly Parton Tribute Song Wins The Golden Buzzer on America's Got Talent

We're going to sing, it's an original song. It's called You Can Have Him, Jolene. And we've always been country music fans. And Dolly is by far our favorite. We're so inspired by the song, Jolene, and we just love the storyline. And we figured, though, from 1973 to 2022, we could not still be fighting over the same man. So we decided to tell her you can just have him, Jolene. I love that. OK, well, look, two, three minutes literally can change your life on this show. Let's see what's going to happen. But since the last a lot of tears, a lot of beer, a lot of wine, phone stop ringing, but he'd leave the room and answer every time. Didn't seem so easy with that broken glass in pieces. You holding me and saying you wrong. Well, I'm tired of second chances. These sad, sad circumstances. He's your problem. Good luck keeping him home. That's to me. I've cried so much to rivers turn to seas. Oh, Jolene. I don't see tonight, and those wedding bells stop ringing. I took my keys and threw them at his door. Ask for any more. Oh, Jolene. Cried so much to rivers turn to seas. Oh, Jolene. Like he did to me. You could have Jolene. Trust me, I needed you today. That was fantastic. Amazing. I love you. And I love the choreography going on around you. I mean, it was just brilliant. Let me ask you a question. Have you been trying to get a record deal or a big break? Or I mean, tell me. We've been trying to break into Nashville for the last couple of years. It's been kind of hard when I think country music doesn't always look like this. And so and you may have just broken down the door with that performance. Trust me, your face. You were loving it. First of all, I believe you broke down the door. I love the song. I love the energy. I love the look. You say country music doesn't look like you. That is your win because you are going to be the original. Your joy is infectious and everything that you're giving like it's received over here and I love it. Sophia. Everything was perfect. The song, the energy. I'm doing this for a long time and I'm so proud of you guys. Let's trust me. If I hadn't used my golden buzzer, I would give you a golden buzzer. You can give it a try if you want. Blandish it is, but they say that's not a real job. You just show them that it is like there are little girls in Poplarville, Mississippi who think that this isn't possible, but we're doing it, you know? What's your name and where are you guys from? We're called The Sound and we're originally from Romeo, Michigan. Right. Together as this three piece. So we're actually a family. This is my brother, Jacob. My name is Levi, and this is our dad, Ron. I'm guessing you've been playing together as a family since you were, what, knee high? Since we were very small, yeah. It's a certain genre of music. Yeah, we're a country band. Country. Right. OK, well, good luck. The stage is yours. All right. All right, so we're going to have to give you guys this help. All right. Just like this. Come on. Come on. Country roads, take me home. West Virginia, take me home. Country roads, almost heaven. West Virginia, the Ridge Mountain, Shenandoah River. Life is old there, older than the trees. Younger than the mountain, blowing like a breeze. Country roads, take me home. To the place I belong, West Virginia. Country roads, could have been home yesterday. Yesterday. Country roads, to the place I belong. West Virginia, mountain mom. Take me home. Country. Did you deliberately give yourself the coolest instrument to play? Not to your boys? Because every bass player, that's the coolest instrument to have. Absolutely it is. And I've got the hair to prove it. So there you go. Listen, I'm not really that big of a fan of country music, but this made me so happy. Oh, your harmonies were just perfect. So long that our crew came out and was about to take you off the stage. Loved it. Thank you. Thank you. Country music, that song is one of my favorite. You guys being a family. I mean, the voices, everything was perfect. I think America is going to fall in love with you. I think they all fell in love with you. I fell in love with you. Thank you so much. I think that everyone's going to like you. I mean, how can you not? You know, being honest, that was obviously a very safe, nice audition. That's the riskiest thing you can do if you make it through to the next round. I think you should sing a song which you kind of make into a country song going forward. We have to go beyond the safe. OK, I'm going to start this off with your first. Yes. It was a good audition. I think actually I'm going to say yes. I cannot wait to see you come back. Man, I'm so proud. You're making me proud in Michigan, in the house. Thank you. Custom made, baby, just for me. I'm always fresh from my head to feet and you can hear me stepping, coming down the street. I rock and roll. I got a country soul. Just pour me up some whiskey because everybody knows exactly what I'm drinking. Uncle Nearest got me singing. It's a brand new song and it's a party going on. And you can try to copy, but you ain't the cat. Search high and low and you figure out that ain't nobody got boots like mine. Nobody got boots so fine. Nobody got boots that shine. Yeah, ain't nobody got boots like mine. Square toe leather crocodile top of the line. Ain't nobody got boots like mine. No, no, no, no, no. These boots took me many places on so many stages with some of the greatest. It's amazing, baby. These boots on fire, they flaming, they hot, yeah, they blazing. And we finally made it. Yeah, they famous now. Ain't no boots like mine. Square toe leather crocodile top of the line. No boots like mine. Ain't no boots that shine. Nobody got boots. Listen, ain't nobody got boots. The crocodile top of the line. Tonight, y'all, listen. My name is Madeline Talent. Talent? Yes. What a coincidence. I know it's on my birth certificate and everything. And who are you with? Malika Martin. Are you a couple? Just friends. He's got a wife and a baby at home. Ten month old son. Where are you from? Benton, Tennessee. Population of 1500 people. And there's nothing there besides dollar generals and churches, but not very many musicians. So when I met him, obviously we had to rock out some. And how long have you been playing together? We've been doing this act together for six months. Oh, new. Yeah. Do you have regular jobs? I'm a waitress at a family owned restaurant called Big Tom's. I work full time. It's a brilliant, brilliant corporate company. So I got my hands full there, too. But this is all I've ever wanted to do. All right. So let's hear you. I can't wait. Lately, I've been losing sleep. We'll be counting stars. Yeah, we'll be counting stars. See this light, like a swinging vine, swing my heart across the line. In my face, there's flashing signs. Seek it out and ye shall find. Oh, but I'm not that old, young, but I'm not that bold. And I don't think the world is sold on just doing what we're told. I feel something's so wrong, doing the right thing. I feel something's so right, doing the wrong thing. Everything that kills me makes me feel alive. Watch it burn, sink in the river, the lessons I learned. Take that money, water, and sing another river, the lessons I learned. No more counting dollars, we'll be counting stars. You are so authentic. Thank you. And real. Thank you so much. Your voice is fantastic. Thank you. You've got a great chemistry together. I love the song choice, personally. I really like both of you. Thank you. Okay, here's what I saw. I love your voice, but you've only been doing it for six months. Yes, sir. And because it was new, it didn't seem ready. You know, it's like a meal that's not done yet. I don't agree with that. I think it's the opposite. Yeah, me too. I think when you find someone and you see someone's potential, you have to work with people like that straight away. Thank you. I do. Thank you. That means a lot. We're very hard workers, and we're definitely willing to do whatever it takes to polish and perfect this. 100%. Yes, I fully understand what you're saying, but I like what you said. You're really hard working, and you're very talented. So I'm in two minds with you two right now, because I want to tell you off, because you're so talented. You could have done better. Okay, so let's vote. For me to polish it and get it ready, it won't be this season. It'll be next season. So for me, it's a no. I'm going to say yes. Thank you, Sophia. Thank you. You're always looking for somebody's potential, and you are really talented. That's all I'm going to say, yes. Awesome. Thank you. Special there. Feels very new. This is so cool. So proud of you. You've worked so hard. I just haven't seen. It's just what I imagined. It's better than what I... You're a bastard. How's it going? It's... I'm good. Is this pretty crazy? So crazy. We're so excited that you're here. Tell us your name. I'm Kennedy Dodds, and I'm 15 years old from Logan, Utah. All right. I'm guessing by that guitar, you're a musician. Yes. How did you get into music? What inspired you to pick up a guitar? So my dad used to play the guitar for me. Just one song that he knew. And I started singing when I was really little. My parents heard me singing in the car along to the radio, but I was on tune. And I was kind of singing in Baby Jabber because I didn't know how to talk yet. Oh, my gosh. So you were really little. Yeah. What inspired you to come here and share your talent with America's Got Talent? So my family has an eye disease called retinitis pigmentosa, or RP for short, where you lose vision until you are fully blind. And so I'm the only one in my family right now who doesn't have it. My little sister told me that she wanted to see me on the biggest stage in the world before it's too late and her vision's gone. So I've worked really hard to get here, and it's been crazy. How old is your sister? She's nine. Wow. And where is she today? She's right there. Okay. Well, we can't wait to hear you sing. Thank you. Just out of interest, are you going to sing an original song or a cover? I'm singing an original. And what's it called? One Way Ticket to Tennessee. Can you tell me what it's about? It's about all the support my parents have given me for chasing my dreams to be a country singer. Okay. So this could be your ticket to Tennessee. Got it. Okay. I've got a good feeling about you. Good luck. Thank you. He says I can't go far if I don't care what people think. And if I want to be a star, the key is working hard. Yeah, that is how you become your daddy's country sweetheart. What lies before me, heaven only knows. But one thing is for sure, you'll find me on that music one way ticket to Tennessee. I took my one way ticket, I can hardly breathe. One way ticket, that stops the grand old lottery. One way ticket, it's time to chase my dreams. One way ticket to Tennessee. Oh, Nashville, here I come. You're a little firecracker, aren't you? My sister. Uh, Kennedy, that was great. And I love the notion of that song. One way ticket to Nashville means no looking back. What a goal to set for yourself. Let's hear what everybody else thinks. Howie? You know, you kind of transform from who you are right now when you're talking to us to when you start playing, you're getting emotional. Tell me what you're thinking. I'm just so happy to be here. And I'm so grateful for this opportunity and for all the people who've supported me this far. Well, you know something? This is just the beginning for you, I promise you. Your future is already set in stone from this moment. Thank you so much. Sofia? I enjoyed it very much. I love your boots. Actually, Eric helped me pick boots like that. And I love how you look. I love your country look. I love that you play the guitar, that you write your own songs. I can't wait to see what the future is going to bring for you. Thank you so much. Yeah, you've got great style, I gotta tell you. It's very authentic. And you're from Utah. Yeah. Is that where your family originally from? Yeah. I'm only asking because your voice sounds as if you were from Nashville. Thank you. Sounds very authentic to me. Thank you so much. I love artists, particularly people your age, who know what kind of lane they want to go down. This was very, very clear. You know where you want to go. And I think we can help you get there. Thank you so much. Let's take a vote. Howie? Yeehaw! That's a yes in country music. Thank you. Yes for me. Thank you. That means four one-way tickets to Tennessee. Thank you so much. What a beautiful family. Hi, ladies. Thank you. You were right. Sounds like she was from there. Yeah. Talk to us. I saw you were emotional up there. What are you feeling? I just feel so grateful, you know? I'm just glad that I did it, you know? You did it. You mourned it. All right. Put in the face of darkness, I'm all right. The party is lovely. No, I am broken. But am I? Ashen bones tell me that I am drinking. But is it too late for this life to be made new? If I'm gonna climb out, might I climb out for you? No, I am broken. Ashen bones tell me that I'm getting it. But is it too late for this life to be made new? If I'm gone for you. Oh, if I'm gonna climb for you. Cause we were born to love, to love. This means a lot to you, doesn't it? It means a lot to us, yeah. Good for you. Howie. So listen, the audience loves you. You have great voices, great harmony. But personally... Song in a pub. If I was in a bar and you guys are playing, I would have the best night ever. Heidi. I like the song. Thank you, Heidi. The harmonizing sounded really good to me. I thought it was a nice song. Nice. Yeah. Are we looking for great? I think it's great. You guys started singing together. I love you. I think people love you. Yep. I'm gonna agree with Heidi and Sofia. You can't fake how you feel. And I really felt that. I thought that your vocals were great. The harmonies were great. I love the song. And this is absolutely the right thing you've done to come on here. Because I think people are gonna really like you. Okay. We're gonna vote. Heidi. Well, I'm gonna give you a first yes. How about that? Audience, this is your third yes that gets you through. Thank you guys so much. I'm proud of your community. I can see that. But he might be one day. Yeah, he might win them over. How's it going, Simon? Very good, thank you. Okay, so who are you? My name is Jesse Joe. These are the 96ers. We're all from the oilfield country of West Texas. We head back to work this week. If things don't go our way, we're checking back into the field. Wow. So how did you realize you want to be in a band? Well, we're relatively new. We've been together about three months. But once the gears get clicking, it don't stop. And is this an original song? Yes, sir. This is an original song called Grindstone. And it's about getting up every morning, even when you don't want to. It goes out to all our blue collar workers back home in West Texas. Fantastic. I'm glad that you came. Good luck. A.G.T., make some noise for yourselves one time! People that show up on the stage have been doing things a lifetime, like the musical landman, okay? That's right. When people do what you do and then sing about what you do, you have put a lifetime into whatever it is you're singing about. Thank you. And I felt that. And you're authentic. Well, I actually, for once, agree with everything that you've said. But you were so out of tune. I don't know how you couldn't hear yourself. It's fair. Where we're from, it's grungy and a little bit dirty. And we're proud of being trash folk, so it's all right. You guys have something very interesting going on. Look and sound authentic. I love the song, actually. I think it was a very catchy song. I like the song a lot. There were some issues with the lead vocals, though. Now, that might be nerves. It didn't sound as good as I was hoping. I say yes. It was raw and dirty, and I like that. Have to say no. I'm sorry. Sophia? I want to say yes. You need three yeses. Box work. I'm going to win this. I'm going to say yes. I kind of like it. Just in these guys and just a short time we've been together, we've been able to accomplish something that probably won't happen again where we're from. Oh, no, Jesse, listen, man. My mom tells me that I was three years old when I wrote my first song. I don't remember that. The first song I remember writing, I was five, and it was called God Is My Inspiration. What's up, everybody? How y'all doing? Y'all all a group here? We're a band, man. Talk to me. What's the name of the band? I'm Pinkbeard. Pinkbeard, and you're the star because I see a pink beard. I don't know if I'm the star, but yeah. I tried to be an artist. Didn't work out. I didn't quite understand Black people during country at the time, so I gave up on the idea of putting out an album on my own, and so I just really pursued being a songwriter. One of my main questions I always ask any artist is, who are you? I spend a lot of time talking to artists about just who they are, and over time, I think I just kind of forgot who I was, and I became just a songwriter. Just last year, 2025, I was actually about to literally quit making music. I was like, you know, I can't keep doing this. I'm getting too old, and this is a young man's game. I'm going to bring you guys backstage now. You can follow me. And just as I'm getting ready to quit, I hear about an opportunity like this, and it sparked doing it again. I mean, this is obviously a band. I'm going to try my hand at a little magic. Ray, actually, how are you? Man, I am more excited than I can say. Okay, so your name is Ping. Of course. Okay, tell us about you. I'm a singer-songwriter from Birmingham, Alabama. Yes, sir. If you need a ride, let me know. I'll take you home with me. And this is what you do full-time, songwriting? This is what I do full-time. Okay. I've been writing songs for a long time. Yes, sir. And how's it going? It's been really well for me. I don't know if you guys remember the song, Scars to You're Beautiful by Alessia Cara? Yeah. I wrote that. You wrote that? I wrote that. No way! That's an amazing song. Thank you so much. I mean, seriously good. Thank you. I really appreciate that. Okay, so you've been writing songs for other artists. Yes, sir. So why are you here now? I'm here because I got something I want to say. I spent the last 15 years helping people say what they want to say, and I'm so thankful and blessed that they allowed me to help them do that. And I wanted to have the experience of getting to know what it is to be a front man. Right. There you go. That's amazing. I don't think that's ever happened before. A well-known songwriter has come on and been the performer. This is brilliant. Thank you. The song you've written today is obviously yours, right? Yes, sir. It's called My Lord Willing. Right. I really, really hope this goes well. Good luck. All right. Fellas, y'all ready? All right, come on now. All right. This is not my normal go-to music, but you made me fall in love with this genre of music. Of course you are. Audition, your voice is amazing. The song was amazing. Your band is amazing. It was what ADT is all about. Audition, I believe that we just heard a hit. I bet this song is charting right now. That was really, really fantastic. I think that's a hit song. Such an amazing feeling when everything goes right. The performance, the band, the song, everything. I just love you. If I have one, you'd be getting it. Let's vote. Hear that song fast, slow. It's just a great song. I love the idea that might have been in his top draw for years. I'm going to hang on to this one myself. It's wonderful. Pimpin' might be my favorite today. When you've been writing songs for a long time, the word yes goes a long way. To hear it four times in a row is like, ah. Welcome. Thank you so much. This is a dream. Oh my gosh. What are your names and where are you from? We're Butter and Grit, and Butter's from Ohio, and I'm from Alabama, but we live in Nashville, Tennessee. We met about two years ago randomly at a gig in Nashville, and we just became really fast friends. And then a year later at a Chinese buffet, we were eating some chow mein, and I said, well, I guess let's do a duo. And are you playing us an original song? Yeah. So you're both talented songwriters also. I mean, I guess if you want to call us talented, no, please. I just did. We'll just take it. Well, can't wait to see it. I got the sweet, I got the sweet, I got the sweet, sweet stuff in my veins. Let's go. Mama always told me that I should say nothing. If I can't say nothing, I Sing, Butter. Master how she keeps it in and doesn't speak her mind. She looked me in the eyes and said, child. Y'all sing it out. I got the sweet, I got the sweet, sweet stuff in my veins. I got the sweet, I got the sweet, I got the sweet, sweet stuff in my, down in my veins. I got the pork swing, Southern living magazine. Yes, in my jeans. I got the backyard barbecue. Bring a friend, maybe two. There's enough for three. I got the bacon and eggs, some butter and bread. So save a seat for me. I got the sweet, I got the sweet, I got the sweet, sweet stuff in my. Like really down to earth. I don't think they want to hang out with you. I'm not asking you. You brought the, I loved it. Thank you so much. Thank you. I think there's a real audience for this. I think this is real Americana. Thank you. Thank you so much. Thank you. I think it sounded like one of those popular restaurant commercials. Yes, it would be a great cracker barrel commercial. Practically said the whole menu. Did you like it though? If I was at a cracker barrel, yes. And actually, if I heard that, I actually probably would want to go to the restaurant. Well, let's go. That's what a good commercial does. The song does sound like a commercial, but it was fun. So I think it was a good idea to come here. Yeah. Thank you so much. Thank you. Let's go. You know, nothing wrong with being commercial. I give you a yes. Special offer, $9.99. Four yeses. Such a child. What's your name and where are you from? I'm Elsie and I am from Mississippi. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself? I'm 32. I'm here for myself today. I'm a mama. I put down my dream to help my husband pursue his. Now I'm here chasing my dream. This is your time. Stage is yours. Good luck. Thank you so much. I still can't. It's one thing. To build yourself. First thing been a while, but I'm back again, baby. All my sins been washed away in the cold, cold depths of my water. Be brave and all my sins been washed away. I still can't pray for you. Oh, I still won't forgive you. It's one thing I won't regret. Down deep to cleanse my soul. Came up clean, but I can't let go. It's one thing I won't regret. This is an original. You know, you're clearly an amazing singer. But I think for me personally, you should have done a different song. Because I think your voice is so much bigger and better than what you just showed us. You're beautiful. Your vocals were on point. But I think you've got a lot more in the tank. From the moment you walked out, I went, this is a star. You look like a star. You sound like a star. But I don't know if it was the song or the production. There was so much backing track. And I think at this point in the show, your first audition, I want to know who you are. I have no idea who you are yet. It's like a mixture of, oh my God, she looks so spectacular. She sounds spectacular. But I didn't love the song, but I did love you. I think that you have everything it takes to do well. I think what happened today is that you over prepped. Weirdly, it's about letting go some of the stuff and being a little bit more raw. You have star potential. Yeah. That's what it is. You have a glow about you. Thank you. It's time to vote. Howie? I can only judge what I hear and how I feel. I didn't like the production. I can't give you a yes. It's a no for me. Sofia? Well, I think it was just a wrong choice. A little bad luck today. I think I'm going to say yes because I want to give you another chance. Okay. This is a million percent yes. All right, so that's a win now. Actually agree with what you were saying. If you were to take on board what everybody said. It's just so many different emotions. How do you feel about, you know, changing a little bit of what you're doing? Like you said, I'm from Mississippi. I would go out there and stomp and clap and sing with no music. Hey.