James Smith: From Clacton caravan park competition to the BGT stage
Singer James Smith was just nine-years-old when he won his first singing competition and six years later he decided to audition for the Britain’s Got Talent Judges.
BGT Insider grabbed a chat with the “Feeling Good” singer after Saturday’s show.
Essex lad James, 15 said: “I won a karaoke competition at a caravan park in Clacton when I was nine and I’ve had good feedback ever since. I started playing the guitar four years ago.
“I look up to Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash. I love soul – Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder and of course Nina Simone. I like to put my own twist on their tracks.
“I mostly do covers but I have started writing my own songs.”
There was one Judge in particular James wanted to wow.
“I was quite worried about what Simon was going to say,” he said. “I was so shocked. I’ve taken everything he said on board and am going to make my act better.”
He needn’t have worried – Simon labeled his performance, “one of my favourite auditions so far” and David told James, “you have just got this incredible charisma. Being able to hold an audience in the palm of your hand like that is an incredible talent.”
With four yeses from the Judges James is now focusing on earning a place in the final.
He said: “I went on Britain’s Got Talent because I needed a platform and I would really love to perform in front of the Queen. I’ve been singing since I was a baby but I’ve never sung in front of such a big audience before.”
“It would mean everything to me to win. It’s my dream to sing in front of the Queen.”