John Hetlinger of Boulder captures a spot in the semi-finals — Gets to sing with band!
The bodies hit the floor Friday (July 15) at the Chicago Open Air Fest when 82-year old America’s Got Talent sensation John Hetlinger joined Drowning Pool and whipped the crowd into a frenzy.
Hetlinger – who got the band’s attention when he auditioned with their song “Bodies” on the NBC talent competition – took the stage for the band’s 2 p.m. set and immediately began working the crowd like a pro.
“Are you ready?” he commanded, as the band – singer Jasen Moreno, guitarist C.J. Pierce, bassist Steve Benton and drummer Mike Luce – slowly revved up its signature song and Hetlinger led a chant of “Bodies! Bodies!”
The crowd reacted accordingly, as Moreno demanded audience participation. “This is what we want to see: Me and John and Drowning Pool,” Moreno said. “We want to see your fists up high, throw your horns up high, throw your fingers up high, and repeat after me and John!”
With a 1-2-3 count, Hetlinger and Moreno traded verses, but Moreno deferred to the retired aerospace engineer and navy veteran for the all-important screams.
The show went so well, the band is having the Colorado resident back for an encore. Hetlinger will join Drowning Pool at the Ink in the Clink Festival, held at the Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield, Ohio, on Saturday night.
Billboard
Original article below contains a video of Mr. Hetlinger. Unfortunately Mr. Hetlinger did not go through to the live AGT shows.