Dave Fenley didn’t appear to be the type of guy who was going to blast an arena roof off when he took the stage at America’s Got Talent. He looked more like a “laid-back bar gig” than a “national TV moment,” with a simple outfit, a guitar in hand, and a composed, almost bashful demeanor. The audience relaxed, the judges grinned courteously, and it seemed like this audition may be another pleasant, unmemorable one.
Then he began to sing.
Dave began a bare-bones rendition of Alex Clare’s “Too Close” with just an acoustic guitar and his soulful, gravelly voice. He radically altered it, slowing down, pushing into the emotion, and letting his voice do all the heavy lifting, rather than attempting to replicate the original. A radio smash was transformed into something unvarnished and intensely intimate by the warm, raspy tone, the unexpected force on the major notes, and the subtle bluesy twists.
The modification was visible to you in real time. The judges’ attention shifted from being interested to being riveted to the stage. At first, the audience, who had been merely observing, became silent, but as the song progressed, they began to cheer. By the last chorus, Dave had evolved from a quiet guitarist to a rising star.
There was a tremendous response as he completed, including cheers, ovation, and four resounding “Yes” votes from the judges, which advanced him directly to the next round.
One of those instances where you can’t always assess a performer by their entrance is Dave Fenley’s audition. A person with a voice that can fill a stadium and a tale that stays with you long after the final note dies is sometimes the quietest, most composed person onstage.
