The Fiddleheads was a bluegrass band from Season 6 of America's Got Talent. It was eliminated in the Quarterfinals, but it returned for the Wild Card Show, where it was eliminated again.
Background[]
The Fiddleheads started when Zak McConnell (mandolinist) assembled a bluegrass ensemble for the music department of North Georgia College and State University (NGCSU). Within a week, McConnell had found three talented potentials for the group, all of whom were friends and fellow students: Michael Wallace (guitar), Trygve Myers (bass) and Jake Larios (banjo). Much to his and everyone else's surprise, what started as a jam session in Dahlonega, Georgia turned into the creation of a bona fide band.
At that point, it seemed the only thing left to do was for the group pick out a name. After a fair number of rejections for the title, the group collectively decided to let an old battered dictionary being used as a footrest pick the name for them. Only three tries were allowed, and "fiddlehead" was coincidental and appropriate.
Throughout the 2009-2010 academic year, the Fiddleheads performed three times at NGCSU. It was during this time that McConnell met student athlete Adam Kersh (lead vocals), a tennis player with an unexpectedly powerful voice. Before long, Kersh was invited to join the band.
Although the band will always stay true to its bluegrass roots, they are open to explore all kinds of music - music that is visceral and sincere, music that transcends and challenges. They don't want to be held to a stereotype; they are simply in love and infatuated with the music that holds the groove. 1
Audition[]
The Fiddleheads's audition in Episode 606 consisted of performing its own arrangement of "Forget You." Piers Morgan, Sharon Osbourne, and Howie Mandel all voted "Yes," sending the act to the Vegas Round.
Americas got talent- fiddle heads-0
Vegas Round[]
The Fiddleheads were one of the Judges' Favorites in the Vegas Round. They were sorted into the "Bands" category. Their performance in Episode 611 consisted of performing "Sir Duke." Their audition was strong enough for the judges to send them to the Quarterfinals along with POPLYFE.
Quarterfinals[]
The Fiddleheads' Quarterfinals performance in Episode 613 consisted of performing "Billie Jean." The group finished in either fourth or fifth place in America's Vote. In the Judge's Choice, the judges decided not to send them to the Semifinals, eliminating the act from the competition in Episode 614 instead of Miami All Stars.
Wild Card[]
The Fiddleheads were brought back by Howie Mandel for the Wild Card Show. Their performance in Episode 623 consisted of performing "Grenade." Piers Morgan buzzed the act. The group finished in either fourth or fifth place in America's Vote in Episode 624. In the Judges' Choice, although Howie voted for them, Piers and Sharon Osbourne both decided not to send them to the Semifinals, eliminating the act from the competition instead of Summerwind Skippers.
Trivia[]
- On October 29, 2013, Zak McConnell, founder of The Fiddleheads, passed away at the age of just 26.
- The Fiddleheads were eliminated the same way twice, through the judges choice.
