Just as the water main broke outside the Vacanti family’s residence three weeks ago, Joshua Vacanti, 16, got a call from “America’s Got Talent.”
“I answered the phone and immediately said: ‘Call back later, I’m in the middle of a crisis,’ before I even knew who was on the phone,” said Vacanti’s mother, Diane.
Luckily, a few hours later, they did.
Vacanti, 16, a sophomore at Lockport High School received a special invitation by judge and producer Nigel Lythgoe to head out to New York City on Sunday for his first audition for the show.
“Nigel asked me to sing ‘Hallelujah,’ ” Vacanti said.
Lythgoe discovered Vacanti after he found several videos on YouTube.com of him singing, Vacanti said. There are five videos that include the songs “Listen,” “Hero” and “I Look to You.”
“His uncle actually decided to register Josh online,” Diane said. “And Nigel choose the top three contenders to audition in New York.”
Vacanti will be auditioning in front of Simon Cowell and the producers of “America’s Got Talent.” “I’m most looking forward to meeting Simon,” Joshua said.
The teen said he’s not nervous yet — but will be, once he heads to the Big Apple. He specializes in gospel and soul-sounding music. “Even if I sing a modern song, I try to make it my own with a gospel twist.”
Joshua started singing at his church when he was 5. “I was born and raised in the church,” he said. “And want to extend my roots into singing.”
Vacanti and his family are members of the Assembly of God Church in Lockport.
“We’re extremely proud of him,” his mother Diane said. “He works hard and is an amazing singer.”
Joshua enrolled in several local talent competitions in the past, winning first place at the Historic Palace Theatre’s 2008 “Spotlight on Talent” show and the 2008 Niagara Falls Idol competition.
He also entered the Italian Idol contest in the Buffalo-Niagara Falls area, the Fine Arts Festival and the LHS solo festival and qualified for state and national competitions.
A combination of practice and prayer will help Joshua make it to the second audition in 2010, which will be aired on TV.
“I know whatever happens is in God’s hands,” he said.
Communities
Related Photos
-
Just as the water main broke outside the Vacanti family’s residence three weeks ago, Joshua Vacanti, 16, got a call from “America’s Got Talent.”
LOCKPORT: ‘America's Got Talent’ comes calling
- Communities
-
-
SLIDESHOW: Volunteers Search for Judith
Volunteers gathered on 102nd Street in Niagara Falls to search for the missing Judith Burr, 67. Shortly after the search began, the body of Judith was found in the dense brush just east of 102nd Street.
-
Niagara woman is fooled by ‘phisher’
Beverley Porter was taking a nap one day last week when her phone rang.
The scammer at the other end of the line had gotten lucky. After most likely making random calls to numbers in the 716 area code, he was able to catch the Town of Niagara woman when she was groggy, and slightly medicated from a minor surgical procedure earlier in the day. -
On the hunt for blue jeans at Niagara Falls High School
Students at Niagara Falls High School are ready for one final push in its campaign to win a national contest.
-
Lewiston Relay holding kickoff party
The kickoff to the 15th annual Relay For Life Lewiston will be from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, at the Hard Rock Cafe, 333 Prospect St.
-
Teacher likes this Apple at Lew-Port
Keeping up with technology is a problem almost everywhere. But in the classroom, a deficiency can cripple children as they move through their formative years into post-high school.
-
Basket Factory closes its doors in Middleport
The Basket Factory is no longer open for business.
The owners, Julie Thompson Riegle and Dawn Thompson, made the difficult decision last Monday and put the sign on the door Tuesday. -
Black History Month celebrated at Mount St. Mary's
February is Black History Month, and the administration at Mount St. Mary’s Hospital took time Thursday to honor some of its employees of color and their contributions.
-
Lockport man scratches his way to $1 million
Paul Schneider had just gotten off the phone with his girlfriend when he called her back with some amazing news.
-
Help sought for Falls after-prom party
The organizers of the Niagara Falls High School Post Prom Party are looking for a few good parents.
-
State looking for good ideas on Schoellkopf Hall
The state is looking for help in restoring historic Schoellkopf Hall at DeVeaux Woods State Park.
- More Communities Headlines
-
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Video of Ga. Man Who Killed Girl Released
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case
White House Attacks Romney on Birth Control
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Mo. Teen Gets Life Sentence for Killing Girl, 9
Lower-hassle Screening to Be Tested at Airports
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Helmet Camera Captures Calif. Fire Rescue
Worker Tells 911: Powell 'exploded the House'
Triple Win: Santorum Takes Minn., Mo., Colo.
Injured Marine Inspired by Homecoming
No Rape Charges Against Son of NYPD Commissioner
Egypt's Ruling Generals Play Risky Game With US
Former Komen Exec Defends Funding Cut
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
Calif. Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional
Jury Selection for Ex-UVa Athlete Enters 2nd Day
