New Haven Register (New Haven, CT)
Michael Bolton advances on ‘American Song Contest’
New Haven native, Westport resident and singersongwriter Michael Bolton advanced to the semifinals on NBC’s “American Song Contest.”
On Monday, hosts Kelly Clarkson and Snoop Dogg announced who fans saved from last Monday's performance. Bolton, who is representing Connecticut, was the third name called and was saved.
When Snoop Dogg said "Connecticut's Michael Bolton," the singer appeared stunned and clapped with the other contestants and audience members.
Bolton received a standing ovation after performing his song "Beautiful
World," a song about kindness. His family was also cheering him on from their home in Westport. He said, "Kindness is something the world really needs."
Clarkson shared that Bolton ended up signing the T-shirt she held up on last week’s episode during which she told Snoop Dogg, “What a song for the world right now... I felt like he was singing to me, Snoop. This is classic Bolton.”
Rhode Island's Hueston, Oklahoma's Alexa and Puerto Rico's Christian Pagán also advanced to the semifinals.
The show is a Eurovision-inspired competition series in which musicians represent all 50 states, five U.S. territories and Washington D.C., to compete for the best original song.
The live competition consists of three rounds as the artists compete in a series of qualifying rounds, the semi-finals and the grand finale where one state or territory will be named the winner. Atlantic Records will serve as the exclusive music partner for “American Song Contest” and will release the original songs featured on the show.