Mitch Rossell, 2023 | America's Got Talent Audience, 2023 | Source: YouTube/America's Got Talent
One country singer had the "America's Got Talent" audience emotional with a song he'd written in honor of his late father. Before becoming a contestant on the show, he stood on great stages with big artists.
On June 6, 2023, "America's Got Talent (AGT)" released footage of an audition by one talented country singer who had a heartbreaking story about how he got into music. Mitch Rossell was one of the singers who took the spotlight during the talent show's auditions.
He took to the stage with his guitar and distinctive cowboy look, including the boots and hat. When asked what his ultimate dream was, Rossell said it was to reach his potential and to play on stadiums one day.
"America's Got Talent" audience members were moved by Mitch Rossell's audition of "Son" on June 6, 2023 | Source: YouTube/America's Got Talent
Rossell then revealed he would perform an original song titled "Son," one of the most personal things he'd ever written. He confessed to the judges and audience that it was a true story about his life before he started strumming his guitar.
The country musician sang about the memories he had with his late father, going fishing, and having heart-to-hearts. The artist sang about how his father told him he hoped he knew how much he was loved.
He said his father mentioned that Rossell had to know he was thinking of him when he was gone. The touching song also revealed that the singer's parent's world revolved around him, so he called him "son."
Mitch Rossell moved by the standing ovation he got during the audition of "Son" at "America's Got Talent" on June 6, 2023 | Source: YouTube/America's Got Talent
The audience and judges were moved by his lyrics and cheered and clapped as he took them on a musical journey. The artist confessed wanting to live with his father, but God had other plans.
Rossell then revealed how his father suddenly died in an accident with a drunken driver. Everyone was shocked and heartbroken for him as he noted how he couldn't let his grief go and how mad he was at God.
The country singer shared with everyone that it started raining when his son was born, and he swore it was his late father's tears. Some audience members were so touched they started tearing up and wiping tears away.
"America's Got Talent" audience members giving a standing ovation to Mitch Rossell during his audition of "Son" on June 6, 2023 | Source: YouTube/America's Got Talent
The contestant rounded off his song by sharing how he said the exact words to his son that his father once spoke to him. He said his son was why he'd continue reaching for the stars and that his world revolved around him.
After strumming the last chord of his tribute, everyone in the audition room stood up, screaming and clapping! Heidi Klum noted how Rossell had written a "beautiful song" and that everyone in the room felt what he was singing.
Howie Mandel thought the lyrics and the emotion the artist sang with was a great sentiment, with beautiful words and brilliance. He confessed that as a father of three, his world also revolved around them, while Sofia Vergara added:
"That was spectacular, your voice was amazing, the song was amazing."
The last AGT judge, Simon Cowell, said he loved each part of Rossell's performance and that hearing a pin drop the entire time was a "sincere" compliment to the singer. Cowell shared how he thought people would connect with the artist and his track, stating:
"This was a great audition. Brilliant."
He got into music and wrote such a touching song due to his father. Besides being a fantastic songwriter and vocalist, Rossell's musical prowess has led him to connect to one famous country music star.
How Mitch Lost His Father and Changed His Life? - And His Connection to Garth
Rossell's love letter to his late father came about when the 35-year-old from East Tennessee lost his parent when he was only ten. Before his performance, he explained that his grandfather was traveling in a different car when a drunk driver crashed into him.
His grandparents' car was propelled into his father's car, where his grandmother-in-law was a passenger leading to them being involved in a "freak accident" that took all three of their lives. Rossell struggled with the loss for a few years until he decided to learn how to play the guitar, with him explaining:
"It was the only thing he ever really asked me to do. I felt like I was kinda making him proud."
According to his website, Rossell had thousands of listeners on streaming platforms, attracting the attention of Garth Brooks, a country music legend. He and Brooks performed together during the star's 2022 Stadium Tour.
Besides opening for the iconic musician nationwide, the acoustic guitar player wrote four of the star's singles, "That's What Cowboys Do," "All Day Long," and "Dive Bar." Rossell wrote 2017's "Ask Me How I Know" on his own, and it became his first number-one single.
[Mitch] Rossell admitted that he was already struggling backstage to collect himself without having [Garth] Brooks speak so highly of him.
On December 17, 2022, the AGT contestant was surprised when Brooks introduced him for his Grand Ole Opry debut in Nashville. He performed "Son" and "All I Need To See," and his other tracks were "2020" and 2021's "Ran into You," which featured Trisha Yearwood, Brooks' wife.
Speaking about the support the star had given Rossell as he introduced him on stage, he described him as one of the most remarkable men he'd ever been around. The iconic artist said the AGT contestant was a great father and husband with his "head on straight."
Yearwood's husband also shared that his favorite thing about the musician was that he immediately showed how much he loved country music. Brooks said Rossell was a dream, and it was his honor to introduce him for his Grand Ole Opry debut because he was talented and a "greater friend."
Brooks' surprise touched the AGT contestant so that he shared a video of the moment on Instagram. He hugged Yearwood's husband when he walked on stage and confessed he hadn't expected the introduction.
Rossell admitted that he was already struggling backstage to collect himself without having Brooks speak so highly of him. However, it was an honor for him to stand with the legend, noting how the energy transfer from the floor was unbelievable.
He said he was grateful to be there. Rossell received four votes from all the judges and proceeded to the next round of the AGT competition, where he would be going against some talented stars.
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