LAKE ELSINORE, CA — A Lake Elsinore man dubbed a “musical prodigious savant,” who is both blind and autistic, has long been known in the Southwest Riverside County community for his musical genius. Now, world is getting to know Kodi Lee, too.
Lee, who attended Elsinore High School in Wildomar, has trouble communicating like most people. The 22-year-old uses a cane to help him walk. But when it comes to music, he needs no assistance.
This week, Lee appeared on America’s Got Talent, making history in the process. New judge Gabrielle Union not only used her first “golden buzzer” to advance Lee to the live shows of the talent competition, but the entire performance created “one of the most emotional moments in AGT history,” according to the show’s description of the act.
For those who don’t know how talented Lee is — like the judges when they first encountered him being walked onto the stage with the assistance of his mom, Tina — it was a jaw-dropping moment when they heard him play the piano and sing ‘A Song For You’ by Leon Russell.
“This is your time, there’s going to be like 20 cameras on you, you ready?,” Tina told her son as he sat down. “Yeah!” he shouted.
The stunning performance has already been viewed nearly 15 million times on YouTube alone, since it was posted on Tuesday.
Lee received a standing ovation from all four judges, who each appeared to have tears in their eyes.
“What just happened there was extraordinary,” Simon Cowell said. “Your voice is absolutely fantastic… I’m going to remember this moment for the rest of my life.”
New judge, and new mom, Gabrielle Union appeared among the most impressed with Lee’s performance.
“Tonight, I’m going to give you something special,” she said, before hitting the show’s signature golden buzzer.
Before Lee’s act, his mom explained to the judges just how important music is in her son’s life.
“Through music and performing, he was able to withstand living in this world, because when you’re autistic, it’s really hard to do what everybody else has,” she said. “It actually has saved his life, playing music.”
Following the now-historic golden buzzer moment, the judges each hugged Lee and his mom; every person visibly emotional.
Lake Elsinore community members certainly not the only ones to be impressed of the local talent, but they are certainly proud.
“Your talents are amazing and your love for music is inspiring,” the city of Lake Elsinore said on Facebook on Thursday. “We are rooting for you here in the City of #LakeElsinore. We look forward to honoring and recognizing Kodi’s talents locally.”
