Staff writer
Joseph Hall is treated like a Hollywood star everywhere he goes.
However, just 14 months ago he was on stage at Marion’s Chingawassa Days doing his best tribute to rock star Elvis Presley.
The 25-year-old Lincoln, Neb., resident traveled with his family to Marion in June 2007 to compete in the first “Elvis Tribute Contest,” during the festival.
It was Hall’s first performance not in a living room or on a bar stage.
His latest performance was earlier this month on NBC’s “America’s Got Talent.”
He has passed the first two rounds and is now one of 40 contestants to reach the semifinal round.
He will be on air either Tuesday or Wednesday, but he is not sure which at this time.
The winner will receive a $1 million prize.
At the time of Chingawassa Days, no one, not even Hall, knew Marion would be a springboard to fame.
After winning the contest in Marion, Hall earned a spot at the top Elvis tribute contest in Memphis, Tenn.
He placed in the top-10, and slowly but surely started to become recognizable.
He performed at Myrtle Beach, S.C., and Las Vegas, among others, and went from humble kid to Hollywood star.
“Marion was the start of it all,” Hall said. “But the Hollywood thing was cool.”
“He’s got talent”
Even though Hall had paid tribute to Elvis at some crowded venues since leaving Marion, he was still running a restaurant in Lincoln, Neb.
A limo ride changed his life.
His uncle owns a limousine service in Hawaii, and sometimes plays his nephew’s CDs for riders.
One passenger in particular liked what he heard, and gave some information to Hall’s uncle about “America’s Got Talent.”
Hall went to a screen test for the show in Chicago, and literally waited in line for hours.
“They liked me, so they decided to put me on the show,” Hall said.
That was the end of the restaurant business for Hall.
He went to LA for the first round and passed the test.
Next was Las Vegas for the second round, where he was told he had some work to do, but he would still be advancing to the semis.
The three judges on the show, former “Baywatch” actor David Hasselhoff, actor Sharon Osbourne, and English journalist Piers Morgan, said he was great, but needed to step it up if he was to win.
The mild criticism didn’t bother him because he was still moving on.
“It just depends on how well you can take [it],” Hall said.
Even though Hall was in awe the judges were talking to him at all, that was about all the chatting he has had with them.
“Talent” host Jerry Springer is a different story.
Hall said he has gotten to know Springer through the show, and had really enjoyed talking with him.
Even to this day Hall cannot believe the Internet and television fame that is now attached to his name, and remains down to earth.
His family, whom Hall said supports him 100 percent, is still awe struck as well.
“They still haven’t gotten over it,” Hall said with a laugh.
If he is crowned the top talent in America, they may not have a choice.