“You became a rock star in front of our eyes” – America’s Got Talent’s Sofia Vergara praises Silas Luke Jones’ performance

19-year-old guitarist Silas Luke Jones stunned the judges and audience alike on America’s Got Talent Season 20, Episode 8, which aired on Tuesday, July 29. The young performer from Homer, Alaska, delivered a solo rendition of "Misirlou" using an acoustic guitar and pedalboard, earning unanimous praise and four yeses from the judging panel.

Silas Luke Jones' energetic display of technique and sound manipulation drew loud cheers and a standing ovation on America’s Got Talent. Judge Sofia Vergara told him after the performance,

“You became a rock star in front of our eyes.”

Jones’ audition stood out during a packed night that featured a wide range of acts, from a group of Indian dancers to a stand-up comedian in a wheelchair.

Speaking to Alaska’s News Source after the show aired, Jones explained that he picked up the guitar at age 10 after choosing to pursue music over karate. He recalled,

“It was kind of a choice of like, what do I want to invest my time in? At the time I was taking karate lessons. My parents were like, ‘what about music?’ and kind of brought it up and they got me a guitar for Christmas.”

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Silas Luke Jones' performance on America’s Got Talent

Silas Luke Jones took the America’s Got Talent stage armed with an acoustic guitar, a pedalboard, and a plan to stand out. His music choice, "Misirlou," a classic Eastern Mediterranean song popularized in the U.S. by Dick Dale in 1962 and later featured in Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction, immediately caught the audience’s attention.

Viewers may also recognize the tune from its remix in the Black Eyed Peas’ 2006 single "Pump It." Using looping and reverb, Jones created the sound of a full rock band entirely on his own. Judge Howie Mandel called him the “Alaskan techno [Jimi] Hendrix,” while Mel B remarked,

“If I turned away and I listened to what you were doing, I would’ve thought that was like five or six people on stage. You’re one of a kind. You really are.”

Simon Cowell added,

“You’re a very nice guy. Very humble, and then you just turn into that. Actually, the guitar is not an easy instrument to do that with. What you did with that was extraordinary. You have a really real special talent here.”

All four judges, Sofia Vergara, Howie Mandel, Mel B, and Simon Cowell, voted “yes,” sending Jones to the next round of America’s Got Talent.

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What else happened in America’s Got Talent episode

The July 29 episode of America’s Got Talent marked the eighth round of auditions in Season 20. With only one Golden Buzzer left, tension was high as a mix of unusual and standout acts competed for a spot in the next stage.

Scott and Darren, two Hollywood-based weightlifting influencers, impressed the panel with feats like tossing barbells over the heads of Sofia Vergara and Mel B. Mandel praised their “high-energy routine,” and host Terry Crews noted the level of difficulty in their act. They earned four yeses.

A dance group from Jaipur, India, named Unreal, delivered a performance based on optical illusions and body movement inspired by Bollywood. Mel B and Simon Cowell were impressed with the creativity and commitment, and Howie Mandel awarded them the final Golden Buzzer, saying,

“you deserve to be on the show this season…you deserve to be taken all the way!”

13-year-old Evelyn Errante sang “Defying Gravity” from Wicked, with Vergara commenting,

“You are perfect for what you want to do.”

Despite Mandel’s dislike for musical theater, she moved forward with three yeses.

A group of inventors, Tej, Ibhan, and Lars, initially received four buzzers but won the judges over with their “Human Blender” contraption, a comedic and bizarre fruit-smoothie stunt. They earned a yes vote after Cowell drank the result.

The Jet Boys, a dance group with weaker vocals, got through based on their choreography despite hesitation over their singing abilities. Dewayne “Insane Wayne” Jackson, a comedian who uses a wheelchair, made the judges laugh with material based on his life. Mandel said,

“You are amazing, memorable, likable, and real.”

The comedian received four yeses.

Other acts included freestyle rapper Chris Turner from Manchester, who delivered a coherent rap using five random prompts and was praised for his originality. Campus Univers performed a stunt-based hostage rescue sequence and earned a yes.

Meanwhile, a few acts were sent home. Kseniia Angel, a rapper, was buzzed quickly. Andy “Wigman” Yu, a dancer with hairpieces on his pants, and Alexa Morales, who sang in a fur suit as a were-fox, also failed to impress the judges. Richard and Carlene, a competitive-eating couple, were declined but left with appreciation from the panel.

The episode ended on a light-hearted note with Goldie Hen, a chicken-themed hula hoop act, who surprisingly earned a yes for her novelty performance that included laying golden eggs.

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Fans can stream America’s Got Talent on Peacock.