Blind musician with autism gets the first golden buzzer on America's Got Talent

A 22-year-old singer brought tears to everyone's eyes with his version of Donny Hathaway’s “A Song for You” during his audition on America's Got Talent that he got a standing ovation from the judges and the first golden buzzer ticket.

Not only was Kodi so good and his singing so heartfelt; Before the actual audition, Kodi's mom Tina explained to the judges that Kodi is blind and autistic.

“We found out that he loved music really early on. He listened and his eyes just went huge, and he started singing, and that’s when I was in tears because that's when I realized, 'oh my gosh he's an entertainer',” Tina said.

"It actually has saved his life, playing music. " Tina added.

During his performance, Kodi wowed audience and got a standing ovation from the judges.

"I know everybody needs a voice in an expression, and I'd really feel your heart and your passion, your voice brew all of us away. I just want to say that I heard you and I felt you and that was beautiful," singer and dancer Julianne Hough said.

In a separate video uploaded in America's Got Talent YouTube channel, Union reiterated why she choose Kodi to be her golden buzzer receiver.

"From the second I heard his story, I was transfixed. I wanted to know more. I was drawn in by the family, by his mother Tina, by their bond, and his challenges. To know that music was his way to cope on his therapy, I just couldn't wait to see him perform," Union said

"I really wasn't sure what was gonna happen. He hit the first notes I was like... Oh Dony I got the way this is okay. It is Kodi going there and he opened his mouth and he slayed people."

Union added "People have attempted this on numerous shows, numerous stages [and] I never seen anyone nail it in the way Kodi did. There was no way he was not getting my golden buzzer," Union added.

Why Kodi performance?

"I've been saving my golden buzzer. I wanted an act and I wanted a performer that was gonna change the world — not just get a lot of likes but truly change the world and I believe that my golden buzzer act — Kodi is that act. That once-in-a-lifetime performer that can not just leaves a stamp on the world but truly changes it."

On Kodi's website, we learned that he was born with optic nerve hypoplasia, survived life-saving surgery at 5 days old, and then diagnosed with autism, but this never stop him from dreaming. Kodi has an audio photographic memory which he can recall music he hears after just one listen. 

As of writing, Kodi's performance video is at number 7 on YouTube's trending list. — LA, GMA News