I watched X Factor this weekend with the missus and saw a clip from past week’s show. The audtionee was described as a “natural born entertainer” (understatement) and he was singing one of my all time favorite songs; Kings of Leon Sex On Fire. I had to look this guy up on Youtube. His name is Jamie Archer (Jamie Afro) to his friends and he almost made A Factor watchable. It was one of the greatest things I have seen on television this year! Check it out on the video I have posted below.

You see I hate Xfactor. It’s about over-dramatising people’s stories and backgrounds and laughing at people who are not the sharpest knives in the draw. I generally speaking don’t like this show, but if every performance was as good as Jamie’s I’d be an obsessed viewer and a fan. Ckech out the video below, and then I’ll chat abhout why this is relevant to this website , me and you.

Good wasn’t it?

Literally the hairs stood up on the back of my neck when I watched this guy strutt out and do this. I wish I had been in the room when it happened, it must have been electric.

Anyway. Time to cut to the chase and get to the point of this post. I envy this guy, because although he is 33 (not old by any means in my book) he has spent his life chasing a dream and working hard just to make ends meet so he could keep chasing his dream of being a musician. He worked hard in bars and supermarkets, and then played music at night at some grotty venues where his talent wasn’t appreciated. Life knocked him back, but he kept stepping back up to the plate.

What is more, he didn’t come out full of himself. He was quite humble, but confidently spoken. He presented himself well. If you watch the video again I think you can tell that Simon Cowell is both a massive fan of the song, but it looks like he initially doubts that Jamie can pull it off. Jamie absolutely kills it though. He hits every note and not only that, he excites the entire audience in that room and delivers the best performance of the competition thus far. He had stage presence, energy, enthusiasm and a great voice. He is a genuine talent and he has got the X factor, whether he wins the competition or not.

As a reult of this by the way, I will definately be championing his cause some what on this blog and may even be moved to vote on the show for the first time ever.

Jamie comes across as a guy who has a nice group of friends, an incredible talent and a great work ethic. He really lights that entire stadium up with his perosnality and performance. He is a guy who never subscribed to the rat race way of life and has taken huge risks and made sacrifices to get even just a little closer to where he wants to be. I have massive respect for this guy. I wish I had the courage to do what he has done and to take those giant leaps.

He chose a dream and went for it. And even though he has never made it quite where he wants to be, he has kept trying, working hard and pushing forward and it is starting to pay off for him.

Like I say, I have taken some huge lessons from this guy, and I hope you have too. If not, then I hope at the very least you just enjoyed the music.