When Richard Goodall finished singing his cover of the Journey hit “Don’t Stop Believin’” on “America’s Got Talent,” he could hardly believe what was happening.
Goodall received the Golden Buzzer on the season premiere, and told Fox News Digital, “Nowhere, even remotely, could I ever have imagined what happened, happened.”
When he finished, with a standing ovation from the audience and judges alike, he recalled the feeling of speaking with Simon Cowell, Howie Mandel, Sofia Vergara and Heidi Klum.
“It’s very surreal for you to be that person on stage, to be talking to the people that you’ve watched for years, you know?” he said. “I mean, you’re actually here. You are living what you’re seeing on television. So, it’s very surreal.”
He said he barely remembers what he said with Vergara and Mandel, because he was completely blown away by Klum pushing the Golden Buzzer.
“To be honest with you, when I was singing, Heidi looked over and was talking to Howie, which now I know what she was saying. But when I was on stage, you don’t – you don’t hear what’s on the microphones, you know? So, I thought she didn’t like me,” Goodall said.
“And I thought, well, she didn’t ‘X’ me… and it looked like I may get three yeses… I was like, well, you know, I’ll maybe get three yeses… maybe I’ll get to go through.”
“The thing is, is when she pushed that buzzer, there was a huge a loud boom…. And when I looked up and you see my mouth open up… I didn’t have really anything going on my mind. I was just like, I made it through, I made it through,” he added.
“The interview thing [with the judges] was the hard part for me. When the music started playing, I was in my zone…. And then when I finished that last big note, I backed up and patted my chest, and I, I could not have sang another song. I literally left it all on the stage.”
When a contestant on “America’s Got Talent” earns the Golden Buzzer, it means they move directly to the live shows, past all the other audition rounds. Each judge can only use it once a season.
The “AGT” honor has brought Goodall loads of attention in his hometown, which he appreciates even he if is getting “swarmed.”
“I can’t go into the Dollar General anymore. I definitely can’t walk into Walmart,” he said.
He added, “They’re experiencing just the same way as I’m experiencing it. So it’s awesome. It’s really awesome.”
The 55-year-old Goodall has worked as a janitor for 23 years at a school in Terra Haute, Indiana, and has impressed the kids over the years with his singing ability.
Richard Goodall’s recent video performance has left audiences mesmerized, showcasing his extraordinary vocal skills. In the video, Goodall’s remarkable talent shines as he captivates the audience, drawing enthusiastic responses with his flawless execution and expressive delivery. His performance has earned widespread praise, enhancing his reputation as a talented vocalist.
Both fans and critics are lauding Goodall for his magnetic stage presence and undeniable musical abilities, highlighting this performance as a defining moment in his career. As excitement grows for his future performances and releases, Goodall is rapidly making a name for himself in the music industry.
Watch the Video
