'AGT' season premiere: Saxophonist Avery Dixon blows away judges with emotional audition

The Season 17 premiere of “America’s Got Talent” got off to a steady drumbeat Tuesday night.

The Pack Drumline, a Chicago-based drumline troupe, was the first act of the night to perform in front of judges Simon Cowell, Heidi Klum, Sofía Vergara and Howie Mandel. The group got its start as part of an after school program for at-risk youth in 2014, going from “bucket drums and PVC pipes” to an explosive percussion dance group.

“(We're) just really here to represent our city, to represent our loved ones and to represent ourselves,” said Perry Donta'e, the group’s founder.

With their synchronized drumming and spirited dance moves, the troupe had the in-studio audience erupting in cheers and applause and ended up scoring a triumphant four yeses from the judges.

“You guys are already an amazing show,” Vergara said. “You guys are gonna do really, really good in this competition.”

“I’m absolutely blown away,” Mandel said. “I feel your hearts. You’re not beating on your drums. Your hearts are pounding all over this room, all over this country.”

Cowell said the group’s performance epitomized “exactly what this show is all about,” calling it “original” and “dynamic.” “People ask me about … the best part of doing this job, and it’s moments like this,” he said.

Here’s what else went down during the season premiere.

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XOMG Pop! shines with Jojo Siwa-certified sparkle

Like a glittery cotton candy dream come alive, girl group XOMG Pop! brought their sugary pop magic to the “AGT” stage, performing their infectious song “Candy Hearts.”

The protégé of Jojo Siwa, who formed XOMG Pop! with her mother Jessalynn Siwa, the seven-member group was an instant crowd pleaser, hamming it up onstage in their sparkly, rainbow-colored outfits. Siwa and her mom were also there to cheer the girls on from the sidelines.

The high-energy performance earned the group a unanimous seal of approval from the judges.

“I have a granddaughter that’s 7 years old. This is the concert that she would wanna be at,” Mandel told the group. “You should have your own show. You should be touring, and I think that’s exactly what you’re gonna do.”

“Every little girl in America is gonna go crazy when they see you on ‘AGT,’ ” Vergara said.

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Even Cowell couldn’t resist, though he tried to put on a good front. “I’m gonna be honest with you, I didn’t like it,” he said teasingly, before adding, “I loved it.”

“What’s there not to like about you?” Cowell continued. “Your energy, your enthusiasm: It was like a little mini-explosion.”

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Ben Lapidus melts judges’ doubts with cheesy song

Sometimes you have to give the people what they want, and that was exactly the case with novelty singer-songwriter Ben Lapidus.

With an acoustic guitar in hand, Lapidus performed a zany original song about the frustration of wanting more parmesan cheese while at an Italian restaurant. “I always want more parmesan, but I’m embarrassed,” he sang. “Why are they so stingy? Is there a shortage of parmesan? / Is it really that expensive? / I just want more cheese, is that so wrong?”

Despite supportive cheers from the audience, Lapidus’ humor didn’t land with the judges at first, earning him four red Xs before he could even finish the song.

“I don’t like parmesan. I don’t like your song, so I’m saying no,” Cowell said.

“I gotta say I didn’t love it,” Mandel said, while Vergara added, “It’s a no; I don’t know what was happening.”

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But in the end, the people’s vote overpowered the judges. With the growing chant of “parmesan” from the audience, Klum served as the voice of reason. “Maybe we have to hear it again, and then maybe it grows on us,” she said.

So, Lapidus gave his cheese anthem another go and won the judges over with his endearing absurdity — with the exception of Mandel, who remained firm in his reject vote.

“I wanna kill you right now, ‘cause I can’t get that, ‘I want more parmesan,’ out of my brain,” Cowell told Lapidus. “Take the ‘X’ away, I’m giving you a yes.”

“You guys are crazy,” Vergara said in disbelief. “It was a horrific song, and now we’re gonna have to hear this guy again.”

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Saxophonist Avery Dixon clinches Golden Buzzer

Musician Avery Dixon secured himself a place in the “AGT” live shows with the brass of his instrument and his golden heart.

The 21-year-old saxophone player shared he picked up the instrument as a way of coping with the “relentless” bullying he experienced in elementary school. Dixon revealed he was born prematurely at 1 pound, 8 ounces, and was often bullied by classmates for his “airy” voice and the knots on his head.

“I was in such a dark place, I actually wanted to commit suicide,” Dixon said. “When you’re in that mindset, the only thing you wanna do is quit. … That’s when I started actually learning how to play (the saxophone).”

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Dixon brought the judges and the audience to their feet with his soulful, melodic playing.

“When you play with your instrument, you play with your heart, and we feel it,” Klum said.

“Every time I hear a story about a kid being bullied at school, it breaks my heart,” Cowell said. “Any one of those idiots who bullied you now I hope is watching this audition. All of us were willing you to be good; I didn’t know you were gonna be great.”

Dixon’s story and performance floored host Terry Crews, who halted the judges’ voting to hit the Golden Buzzer, sending Dixon straight to Hollywood.

“You touched the heart of every human being in this building right now,” Crews said. “You’ve been bullied all your life, but you tell every bully that you have got a big brother named Terry Crews who is here, who’s got your back. All those bullies are gonna have to watch you succeed.”

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"AGT" auditions continue next week at 8 EST/PST on NBC.

If you or someone you know may be struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can call the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) any time of day or night or chat online.

Crisis Text Line provides free, 24/7, confidential support via text message to people in crisis when they dial 741741.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'AGT' premiere: Avery Dixon wins Golden Buzzer with saxophone