Michael Ketterer Places Fifth on America's Got Talent

Influence Music's Michael Ketterer began his journey on the 13th season of America's Got Talent with a shower of confetti unleashed by Simon Cowell's push of the golden buzzer. This week, in the season's live finale, Ketterer finished the competition with fifth place.

​Earlier in the finale show, Ketterer was revealed as the fifth act in the top five, edging out Courtney Hadwin. In the next set of results, it was revealed that Ketterer had finished in fifth place. Cowell spoke to Ketterer over a backdrop of surprised murmurs from the crowd, reassuring him, "You and I are going to continue this relationship, you have been an absolute star." Ketterer walked off the stage with a smile on his face and his arms raised in celebration.

In the package before his final performance in the competition, Ketterer walked into a room where a video was waiting for him. When the video started, he was met with a montage of family, friends, patients, and the family of former patients describing how he has impacted their lives, ending with a heartfelt message from his son. An emotional Ketterer finished the competition with a soulful performance of "Ain't No Mountain High Enough."

In the semifinal round, Cowell urged Garth Brooks to write a song for Ketterer. The result was the song "The Courage to Love," which Ketterer performed on the season finale. After he was eliminated, Ketterer announced that he would perform the song with Brooks during a sold-out show at Notre Dame on October 20.                       

Former United Pursuit Artist Michael Ketterer Receives Golden Buzzer on America's Got Talent

Former United Pursuit member, current Influence Music member and solo artist Michael Ketterer's America's Got Talent audition. The part-time worship leader and pediatric nurse won the audience with his soulful performance of the Bee Gees' "To Love Somebody," causing judge Simon Cowell to hit the golden buzzer and automatically advance Ketterer to the live shows.

As the confetti rained down on Ketterer, a husband and father to one biological daughter and five sons adopted from foster care, his family ran out to celebrate with him as Cowell joined him on stage for a hug and words of encouragement: "Something about your voice- I genuinely mean it - is special. Everything was perfect." 

In addition to his place as a solo artist and former member of United Pursuit Band, Michael and his wife recently helped found Influence Music, an independent worship collective and label born out of Influence Church in Anaheim, California, where the Ketterer family now resides. Influence Music's debut album released at the end of May and features several songs from Michael.

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Simon Cowell Told Christian 'American Idol' Winner Candice Glover She Would Be 'Lounge Singer'

Former "American Idol" judge Simon Cowell told newly crowned winner of the show's 12th season Candice Glover that she would be "a lounge" singer the last time he cut her from the show.

The determined songstress who describes herself as a "church girl" used the confidence-crushing critique, however, as fuel to power her to an inspirational win three years later.

Her debut album, Music Speaks, scheduled for release by Interscope Records on July 16, is already available for pre-order on iTunes.

"I always knew for some reason that it would happen if I kept going," said Glover shortly after she won the singing competition last Thursday. She had previously tried out for the show's ninth and 11th seasons and got as far as top 60 in the competition last year.

But in a subsequent interview with Jay Leno on NBC's "Tonight Show," Glover who at one time struggled with confidence revealed that the last time she met with Cowell three years ago he skewered her potential.

"Season nine, he was not a fan and he told me that I would be a lounge singer and I would, like sing in a hotel lobby and people would eat peanuts and turn their heads," said the 23-year-old from St. Helena, S.C.

"Like he pretty much painted a picture about how unsuccessful I would be but I honestly thank him for that because he pushed me to do better and come back and win three years later," she said to cheers from Leno's audience.

Glover, who has been praised as a "powerhouse" soul singer, has been compared to former "American Idol" reject Jennifer Hudson whom Cowell also crushed on the show.

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