Kevin Skinner
Patrick Kevin Skinner[1] (born February 25, 1974) is an American country music singer from the Jackson Purchase region of Kentucky. He is the winner of the fourth season of America's Got Talent.
Kevin Skinner | |
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![]() Skinner performing in 2009 | |
Background information | |
Birth name | Patrick Kevin Skinner |
Born | McCracken County, Kentucky | February 25, 1974
Origin | Mayfield, Kentucky, US |
Genres | Country, country rock, pop, rock |
Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter, farmer |
Instruments | Vocals, guitar |
Years active | 2009–present |
Labels | Cypress Tree |
Early life and career
Skinner is from the Dublin community of Graves County, Kentucky, and started playing the guitar when he was 12 years old. He has been playing, writing, and singing ever since he learned the art of music from his musician father, Joe, who is a fan of Hank Williams. Skinner is divorced and has two children, a daughter and a son. He has worked as a chicken catcher for several years and claims to have caught with his friends up to 60,000 chickens in one night.
America's Got Talent
Audition
Skinner performed in a live audition on the August 4, 2009 episode of America's Got Talent. He became a fan favorite in the show after his performance of Garth Brooks' "If Tomorrow Never Comes" while strumming his guitar. Judges Piers Morgan, Sharon Osbourne, and David Hasselhoff all voted "Yes", sending him to the Vegas Round.
Vegas Round
Skinner then appeared without performing in the Vegas Round. His audition was strong enough for the judges to send him to the Quarterfinals in Episode 411.
Quarterfinals
His Week 1 Quarterfinals performance in Episode 413 consisted of singing Bob Dylan's "Make You Feel My Love" while playing the guitar. Kevin received enough votes to be sent to the Semifinals in Episode 414 instead of Mosaic.
Semifinals
The Week 1 Semifinals performance in Episode 421 consisted of Skinner singing "Always On My Mind" while playing his guitar. Piers Morgan gave him a standing ovation. Kevin received enough votes to be sent to the Finals in Episode 422 instead of Acrodunk.
Finals
Later, Skinner's Finals performance in Episode 425 consisted of singing his rendition Aerosmith's "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" while playing the guitar. Piers Morgan, Sharon Osbourne, and David Hasselhoff all gave him standing ovations.
Finale
Kevin Skinner received enough votes to be included in the Top 5 in Episode 426 instead of Drew Stevyns. Kevin was revealed to have competed in first place in the competition that same night, in front of Barbara Padilla who was runner up, Recycled Percussion, The Texas Tenors, and The Voices of Glory, winning one million dollars and a headline show in Las Vegas.
Trivia
During the 10 Year Anniversary Special on July 29, 2015, Piers Morgan stated that Kevin Skinner was his favorite act.
Performances/results
Week | Theme | Song choice | Original artist | Performance order | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Audition | N/A | "If Tomorrow Never Comes" | Garth Brooks | N/A | Safe |
Vegas Verdicts | Male Singers | N/A | N/A | N/A | Safe |
Top 48 | Group 1 | "Make You Feel My Love" | Bob Dylan | 11 | Safe |
Top 20 | Group 1 | "Always on My Mind" | Brenda Lee | 10 | Safe |
Top 10 | N/A | "I Don't Wanna Miss a Thing" | Aerosmith | 9 | Winner |
Post Talent
Kevin received the $1 million prize, which was put into an annuity so it will be paid out over 40 years, and a headline show in Las Vegas, premiering in October 2009 and hosted by Jerry Springer. He performed "If Tomorrow Never Comes" on The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien on September 17, 2009.[2]
Career
Long Ride (2010–present)
His debut CD, "Long Ride" was released on his namesake Saint Patrick's Day, March 17, 2010. The album was released online on September 14, 2010.[3]
Discography
Albums
Year | Album | Peak positions | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
US Country | US | ||||||
2010 | Long Ride
|
— | — | ||||
2011 | Kevin Skinner: Live And Unplugged
|
— | — | ||||
"—" denotes the album did not chart. |
Singles
Year | Single | Album |
---|---|---|
2010 | "Like It's the Last Goodbye" | Long Ride |
Music videos
Year | Video | Director |
---|---|---|
2010 | "Like It's the Last Goodbye" | John Lloyd Miller |
References
- "Kentucky Birth Index, 1911–1999". Familytreelegends.com. February 25, 1974. Retrieved June 9, 2010.
- "Megan Fox, Louis C.K., Kevin Skinner Season Episode Guide on". Tv.com. December 1, 2009. Retrieved June 9, 2010.
- http://www.antimusic.com/news/10/sep/01Americas_Got_Talent_Winner_Kevin_Skinner_Plans_Debut_Album.shtml
Preceded by Neal E. Boyd |
America's Got Talent winner Season 4 (Summer 2009) |
Succeeded by Michael Grimm |