Herbie Russ was a singer and saxophonist from Season 12 of America's Got Talent. He was eliminated in the Judge Cuts.
Background[]
Herbie Russ wears many 'musical hats' - including that of singer, saxophonist, keyboardist, producer, and songwriter. Millions of people have heard Herbie Russ sing, they just don’t know it.
He has lent his vocals skills to commercial work for such clients as AT&T, The Ford Motor Company, General Motors, and the Fox Network. Herbie is also the voice behind the Detroit Tigers theme song "Home Again" for Comerica Park.
Herbie dropped out of school in the 11th grade, and was then kicked out of his parent's home for doing drugs. He was a very gifted saxophone player and would ride his bike 10 miles to play with bands, and his payment would be drugs or drug money. He spent 2 years living in a car and/or couch-surfing, when he wore out his welcome. He then would get himself auditions with acts that were on the road, because he knew he'd get hotel rooms.
His singing and playing ability allowed him to live that way for a while. After a gig was up, he'd be back to living in a car because all of his money went to drugs. After years of drifting, homelessness, drugs, and being arrested, he eventually turned to God and said "You've given me this talent, I need some direction."
At that point, he felt he was led to a homeless shelter, where he offered to sing and play. The director said, "We don't need that. What we need is someone to spackle and repair the walls in the basement. The food is spoiling." Herbie saw how bad things could be. People suffering mental illness, severe drug addiction, loss of entire family. He began to donate all the tips from his gigs to the homeless shelter. That amount was eventually THOUSANDS of dollars.
To this day, he'll often hire homeless people to carry his PA and gear.
Herbie has been working regularly in Detroit as a musician and vocalist for years. He still likes to give to the homeless and remind himself of where he could be. [1]
Audition[]
Herbie Russ' audition was not televised. Howie Mandel, Mel B, Heidi Klum, and Simon Cowell all voted "Yes," sending him to the Judge Cuts round.
Judge Cuts[]
Herbie Russ' Judge Cuts performance in Episode 1209 consisted of singing The Beatles' "With A Little Help From My Friends" and playing the saxophone. Guest judge Laverne Cox and Heidi Klum gave him standing ovations. Herbie's performance was not strong enough for the judges to send him to the Quarterfinals, eliminating him from the competition instead of Mike Yung.
Trivia[]
According to Herbie's instagram, he proposed to his girlfriend in the judge cuts round.
External Links[]
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