Eli Mattson

Eli James Mattson (born November 4, 1981) is an American pianist and singer. He was the runner-up on the third season of America's Got Talent, beating out over 200,000 contestants. The difference in the votes during the final was less than 0.5%. His rendition of Marc Cohn's 1991 hit, "Walking in Memphis" during his initial audition impressed many, picking up on his maturity and vocal talent.

Mattson was born in Duluth, Minnesota. He has been playing piano since he was five years old and has been performing, including his own compositions, since the age of fourteen.

When Eli was only 17, he was awarded a prestigious grant from the Peninsula Arts Association in Wisconsin to help further his music career.

After touring with a country band, he lived in Chicago for three years before his national debut on America's Got Talent.

He has been playing at local venues for the past several years and has garnered a large and varied fanbase. He calls Door County, Wisconsin home.

Eli's influences include Elton John, Billy Joel, Bruce Hornsby, Jimmy Newquist, Dave Matthews Band, just to name a few.

After America's Got Talent

On October 17, 2008, Mattson joined the Top 10 finalists, as well as past winners from America's Got Talent to perform at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. On October 24, 2008, Mattson had a Meet and Greet in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin at the Ladder House. On October 27, 28 and 29th, 2008, Eli played three sold out benefit concerts in his hometown of Door County, Wisconsin.
On November 22, 2008, Eli was the Grand Marshall of the Time Warner Green Bay Holiday Parade. Then he performed a concert at the Meyer Theatre in Green Bay that same day.

Eli will be going to LA in January 2009 to start recording for the Epic division of Sony Records.

In April 2009, Eli made guest appearances on Terry Fator's show in Las Vegas. Fator reports that he actually voted for Eli ten times on America's Got Talent, the maximum per voting method.

Discography

  • 2005: "Eli Mattson - Compilation CD"

Songs on album: All I'll Be, Baby Doll, Morning Of, Blue Ocean, Number 7, Baby Lonely, One Time More, Smile, Shadow, Soft As Sin, First Time Flyer, Miss Morgan

  • 2002: "Monsters"

Songs on album: All I'll Be, Father Please, Baby Doll, Morning Of, Are You There, Blue Ocean, 7, Baby Lonely, One Time More, Smile

  • "First Time Flyer Sessions"

Songs on album: Shadow, Father Please, First Time Flyer, Miss Morgan

  • 2000: "First Three"

Songs on album: Baby Doll, Morning of the Night, All I'll Be

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