Judges Laughed When He Came On Stage — Soon No One Could Fathom The Voice Was Coming From Him

Sep 22, 2021 by apost team

“The X Factor” is a popular show that has spread to countries all over the world. However, the television singing competition was first created by Simon Cowell, gaining popularity in the United Kingdom. Contestants on “The X Factor” are there not only to win a recording contract but also to receive acclaim just by appearing on the show. Many contestants go on to become popular artists even if they do not win.

When Willie Jones of Shreveport, Louisiana, went on the show in 2012, the then 17-year-old was able to get the judges to laugh pretty much immediately. His demeanor was one that the judges took a liking to pretty much right away. However, they were not at all ready for the sound that was going to come out of his mouth.

When you see 17-year-old Jones from Shreveport, Louisiana, step up on stage for the first time dressed in what judge Demi Lovato describes as “very Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" attire, you might not think that the young man would be into country — but he is. Beyond his “Fresh Prince” appearance, he also has an amazing personality. He made everyone laugh with his southern politeness, saying “yes, sir” to judge L.A. Reid twice even after being told “just yes is fine” the second time.

But he caught everyone off guard when the song started. Not only was the live studio audience shocked, but you could also see that the judges had no idea what was happening. They wore noticeably bewildered expressions and looked at each other as if to ask, “Are you hearing what I’m hearing?” 

That’s because Jones began to belt out an amazing country song, “Your Man” by Josh Turner. Jones was able to sing the song with the perfect southern twang and perfect pitch. He even had a low bass-like voice to boot.

The judges likely couldn’t believe what they were hearing as Jones stood on the stage and belted out his tune. They exchanged looks of disbelief as he continued to impress the audience with his near-perfect voice. It seemed like Jones himself could not believe what was happening. He stopped singing for a little bit as the song was going on, taking in the enthusiasm of the crowd. They knew that he would just have to go on to the very next round for sure!

Cowell is well-known for telling it like it is. He does not hold back when he talks to contestants, even when his words are something they may not want to hear. Cowell showed signs of having a good critical eye from a young age. When he was just four years old, he told his mother that she looked “like a poodle” when she wore a white furry pillbox hat.

However, he absolutely loved the voice he was hearing and was ready to tell Jones what he thought.

"You've gone beyond my expectations. You've surprised me," Simon said. "I think your voice is a sensational recording voice, and I want to remember this time, the first time I heard Willie Jones — this is a day to remember." It’s been nearly a decade since Jones first sang the hit Turner song. 

apost.com

Although he was a popular contestant and won over lots of hearts, allowing him to progress in the competition, he was eventually eliminated. His musical journey didn’t end there, however.

According to The Boot, the 26-year-old artist “blends country music topics and cadences with the confessional, first-person styling of underground hip-hop.” This gives his sound a new genre-bending character that is almost entirely unique to him and is captivating to listen to.

In March 2020, he told The Boot that he is happy that there is a rise of African American country singers.

“It’s something I wanted to see since I started singing country music at age 14,” he told the country music publication. “More people like me with different kinds of stories, telling their stories with music. With Kane Brown, Lil Nas X and this other guy Blanco Brown ... Priscilla Renea is doing her thing. Her last album, ‘Colored’ ... is crazy. It’s cool to see Black people come in and add their swag, and their twang, to country music."

"I also didn’t see anybody that I really resonated with as far as young and Black and singing to this music," he added. "I wanted to be that person to somebody else.” 

Jones currently lives in Shreveport, something he is very proud of, but he travels to Los Angeles frequently to make his music and work with producers. Jones was also part of a Netflix original reality show called “Chasing Cameron,” which centers around the life of social media influencer Cameron Dallas, members of music group Magcon and Jones himself, the Shreveport Times reports.

Speaking to the Shreveport Times, Jones spoke about what life has been like since he was on “The X Factor.” "It's changed a lot. People know who I am now. With the notoriety comes opportunity," he said.

He continued, "You can't get big-headed and let it go to your head. Especially with me on ‘X Factor,’ my audition went viral so fast and everybody to this day still knows about it ... I was fresh out of high school and I've been in the industry since then and have seen people change. I feel I've changed too, but they've changed in a negative light, letting the lights and notoriety get to them. I'd say a valuable lesson is to stay humble, stay nice and your opportunities will just fall into your lap."

In 2020, Jones took to Instagram to announce his latest project, “Right Now,” his debut album, which came out on Jan. 22, 2021. According to Music Row, the album contains 12 songs, one of which was released earlier on Monday, Jan. 18, Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The song “American Dream” is described as “an ode to patriotism that addresses racial equality.”

“Willie Jones has captured something truly special on this record, bending genres and fusing a melting pot of sounds into a totally fresh new sound,” Off the Record writes in its review of the album. “In the fresh vulnerability he has shown on this record in comparison to his previously released tracks, Jones has tapped into something important that will stand the test of time and outlive the more bombastic anthems on this record.”

It is great to see young artists like Willie Jones doing incredible things with the opportunities they are given. What did you think of his performance? Did you think it was spectacular? Let us know — and remember to pass this on to others who love young, raw talent.