Judges Laughed When He Came On Stage—Soon None Could Fathom The Voice Was Coming From Him

Jan 02, 2021 by apost team

The X Factor is a popular show that is watched all over the world. It is a television singing competition that was created by Simon Cowell and gained popularity in the United Kingdom. Contestants of The X Factor are there not only to hopefully win a recording contract but to receive acclaim just by appearing on the show. Many contestants go on to become popular artists even though they did 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 too pretty much right away. However, they were not at all ready for the sound that was going to come out of his mouth.

Willie Jones 

When you see a then-17-year-old Willie Jones from Shreveport, Louisiana step up on stage the first time dressed in what judge Demi Lovato describes as “very Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” you might presume that he would be singing something in the genre of hip-hop. He also had 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,” on 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. Their expressions were noticeably showing bewilderment and they 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 couldn’t believe what they were hearing as Jones stood on the stage and belted out his tune. They exchanged disbelieving looks as he continued to awe the audience with his 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!

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Simon 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,” wearing 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 eight years since Jones first sang the hit Josh Turner song. 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, though.

According to the Boot, the 26-year-old “blends country music topics and cadences with the confessional, first-person styling of underground hip-hop.” This gives his sound a new genre 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 country singers that are of African-American descent.

“It’s something I wanted to see since I started singing country music at age 14,” he told the country music news 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 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 Willie 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."

Last month, Jones took to Instagram to announce his latest project, Right Now, his debut album which would be coming out on January 22nd, 2021. According to Music Row, the album contains 12 songs and one of them will be released earlier on Monday, January 18th, Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The song, American Dream is described as “an ode to patriotism that addresses racial equality.”

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? Feel free to leave your comment. Remember to pass this on to others who love young, raw talent. Have a great day!