American Idolsa国际传媒檚 latest sa国际传媒淧latinum Ticketsa国际传媒� contestant was wowing Metro Vancouver-area crowds with his singing 10 years ago, long before his acclaimed performance on the television show Sunday (Feb. 19).

, 17, impressed judges Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan with his rendition of Billy Joelsa国际传媒檚 sa国际传媒淣ew York State of Mindsa国际传媒� over the weekend, earning a special pass to the Hollywood round of the contest.

The judges were floored by Venagassa国际传媒� vocals.

sa国际传媒淵ou sang notes and runs that I havensa国际传媒檛 felt in my body in a long time, and I felt so connected. I felt alive,sa国际传媒� Perry raved.

sa国际传媒淗esa国际传媒檚 claiming to be 17 years old but hesa国际传媒檚 performing like a 45-year-old,sa国际传媒� Ritchie added.

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In Surrey a decade ago, as a seven-year-old sensation, Tyson won the 2013 BC Junior Talent Search contest at Cloverdale Rodeo & Country Fair.

Many of those in the audience figured hesa国际传媒檇 be a star one day, after hearing his version of the R&B classic sa国际传媒淩oute 66.sa国际传媒�

Video of the song is posted on the Now newspapersa国际传媒檚 Youtube channel.

A year later, in 2014, Tyson sang sa国际传媒淥 Canadasa国际传媒� during Surreysa国际传媒檚 Canada Day celebration in Cloverdale.

to watch a 24-second clip of the performance.

On his Facebook page this week, Tyson thanked the three judges for sending him to the Hollywood round of American Idol.

sa国际传媒淚 hit the jackpot!sa国际传媒� he exclaimed.

tom.zillich@surreynowleader.com
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