In an audition clip released by American Idol on YouTube on Monday, a garbage man moved judges and host to tears with a heartrending performance. Douglas Kiker, 27, of Mobile, Alabama, works on the back of a garbage disposal truck for Advanced Disposal.
At the end of his performance, the three judges, Lionel Richie, Katy Perry, and Luke Bryan, presented Doug with a ticket which would allow him to go to the next stage of the competition.
Doug, with Luke Bryan on the piano, performed a duet with him of Bless The Broken Road by Rascal Flatts.
Ryan Seacrest, host of American Idol helped Doug warm up before singing in front of the judges at the suggestion of Lionel Richie, to help him get rid of his jitters.
It is not uncommon for new talent to wow judges across platforms such as Britain's Got Talent, American Idol, and The Voice, among others.
Doug, on the YouTube video said he did not have any performing experience. He also said he wanted to audition for his two year old daughter to show her: "if you put your mind to it, there is nothing you can't do."
Impressed by his A cappella version, Katy Perry asked him to show his range, to which Doug said he did not know what that meant. That was when Luke Bryan took to the piano and they performed a duet.
“For a man who does not know what his voice can do. For a man who does not have any idea of what key he’s singing in. For a man who has no idea who the heck he can be. He’s here to do one thing. He’s trying to show his daughter that he’s somebody,” posted Ryan Seacrest on Facebook, quoting Lionel Richie. He uploaded the same video on his official Facebook page on Monday.
When teary-eyed Doug was leaving, Katy shouted out to him: "That wasn't garbage. It was greatness."
In the upcoming live audition, Doug Kiker would have to prove his mettle before a live audience.
American Idol gave rise to many musical superstars such as Kelly Clarkson, Jennifer Hudson, Carrie Underwood, Adam Lambert and Chris Daughtry, and many others.