There’s no shortage of talent nor ambition when it comes to Dalton Coker’s budding singing career.  The 16-year old from Jacksboro is working his way toward his big break with plenty of enthusiasm.   Two years ago as an eighth grader, Coker auditioned in Nashville for The Voice.  Yesterday afternoon at Knoxville he auditioned for America’s Got Talent.

He arrived at the Knoxville Convention Center around 8:30 am Thursday morning.  He auditioned around 2 pm.

The upside is his almost seven hour wait to sing his version of Sam Smith’s “Lay Me Down” is over.  The downside is his wait to learn if he made the cut is  four months away.

He told WLAF that, “If you play your own instrument, you can have music with your song.  If you don’t you, must sing a cappella.”  He sang a cappella.

The Campbell County High sophomore has been singing since he was five.  He credited his elementary school music teacher John Edwards as one of his early influences.  The Children’s Band and the Wiggles played a role in getting him more interested in singing, Coker said with a laugh.

Coker sings all genres from rap to rock and doesn’t have a favorite singer.  But some of those he said, were “up there” are Nathan Sharp, Sam Smith, Cyndi Lauper and Ed Sheeran.

His plans range from a singing career to moving to New York City and auditioning  on Broadway or perhaps going on to college and majoring in voice.

The WLAF  staff  hopes Coker will perform  a number of Christmas songs on air this holiday season.  (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 11/16/2018-6AM-PHOTOS COURTESY OF MISTY COKER)

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