Eli Mattson Comes Home

Before hitting it big on America’s Got Talent, Eli Mattson honed his craft every opportunity he could get in bars, restaurants, coffee shops and parks around the Door Peninsula. Now he’s coming home for the first time since finishing as the runner-up on NBC’s national talent search, during which he captured the adoration of millions around the country.

Mattson will play a few songs at the Ladder House on 3rd Ave. in Sturgeon Bay Oct. 24 in a special homecoming appearance. The show starts at 8 pm, and he is expected to release details for a special benefit concert at Southern Door High School slated for Oct. 28.

The concert will benefit the Southern Door High School music department and the Wellness Center of Door County. Details were not available at press time.

The 26 year-old Mattson wowed judges from day one on America’s Got Talent with his heartfelt rendition of Marc Cohn’s “Walking in Memphis,” and the accolades didn’t stop. In the show’s finale, Cohn himself appeared in a recorded message to Mattson, saying he hoped to write a song for the young talent someday.

Mattson began playing the piano as a five-year-old in Green Bay, but Door County would be home to some of his most important influences, including Bob Kaczmakowski, a music teacher who took Mattson under his wing in fifth grade. For two summers prior to hitting it big on network TV, Mattson entertained passersby in front of J. Jeffrey Taylor’s jewelry store in downtown Fish Creek.

Mattson’s first trip back to the county features a show in which he’ll be giving back. Show your appreciation by welcoming him home Oct. 24.

Eli Wowed Fans Across the Continent

Throughout his journey on America’s Got Talent, fans from all over posted feedback and best wishes for Mattson on our Web site, http://www.ppulse.com. Here’s a sampling:

• I Love You Eli

I normally don’t care for your style of music, but you have the most unique singing voice I ever heard. You know how to make a song we all heard before sound like something totally new, which is very exciting. I also never heard someone sing and play piano with such passion before. Let’s put it this way, I would never by one of Elton John’s CD’s, but I can’t wait to buy your CD!

Rebekah, Bayonne, NJ

• Eli You Are a Star!!

Eli Mattson, I can’t believe you have not been discovered!! You are the true winner of America’s Got Talent and you will definitely have a career in music! Hang on to your dream, you are there!! I can’t wait for an album!!

Audrey, Tucson

• Best Wishes

The only reason I started watching America’s Got Talent was I had started switching channels and you were singing "Walking in Memphis" and I had never heard it performed with such emotion. You have an amazing career ahead of you. I continued watching the show to follow how you were doing (even though I knew you would make it to the end). Neal Boyd has a beautiful voice and also sings with great passion and I wish there could have been a tie. Nevertheless your future is secure and I will certainly also be waiting for your CD to come out. Cheers from Canada.

Lynda, Ottawa

• Congrats Eli!

Eli Mattson is sexy, passionate, and TALENTED.

Sarah Wade, Milwaukee

• Best Wishes to Eli Mattson

I just wanted to say "WOW" I can’t believe a person with such an amazing talent hasn’t appeared sooner in the media. Eli Mattson is a rare find, he’s the reason we are watching America’s Got Talent. The first night that Eli sang "Walking in Memphis" he stopped my whole family from different rooms in the house, even my children. Eli’s voice brought goose bumps to everybody. We’re voting for him and I can’t wait to buy one of his albums.

Jennifer Fulks, Moriarty