Who Is the Young Saxophonist, Avery Dixon, Who Performed during Season 17 Premiere of ‘America’s Got Talent’?

The 17th season of "America's Got Talent" started on a high note, with stunning performances from multiple competitors, dazzling the audience and the show's resident judges. One impressive young saxophonist stood out among all the contestants.

The Pack Drumline, a Chicago-based drumline troupe, performed first in front of AGT judges Simon Cowell, Heidi Klum, Sofia Vergara, and Howie Mandel.

Afterward, the girl group XOMG POP! surprised the audience with their energetic act on stage. Singer-songwriter Ben Lapidus and saxophonist Avery Dixon serenaded the crowd with their spectacular music.

DID AVERY DIXON GET A GOLDEN BUZZER?

Dixon stood out among the performers in the show's audition. Dressed in a black-and-red suit, the 21-year-old musician mesmerized the judges by playing his saxophone.

In front of the judges, Dixon opened up that his life expectancy was supposed to be short after being born 24 weeks premature, and he weighed only over a pound.

The young musician had a tube inserted into his throat for 39 days to keep him alive. The tube left a small hole in Dixon's vocal cords. Dixon said:

"My vocal cords don't close all the way…so my voice sounds really hairy."

When he was young, Dixon shared that his classmates would bully him at school because of how different he looked and how he talked to his peers.

Dixon decided to pick up music to escape from the horrible experiences of his childhood days. The young boy started learning how to play the saxophone.

Within a month, Dixon played complex songs shortly after buying the instrument from a store. Later, he would post videos of himself playing the saxophone on Instagram and TikTok.

When it came time to demonstrate his talent, Dixon stunned everyone with a magnificent performance. He left Cowell, the other three judges, and host Terry Crews emotional.

Cowell voted "Yes." Before Klum, Mandel, and Vergara could vote, Crews emerged from the judges' table and pushed down the golden buzzer. Crews said Dixon's inspiring story touched many lives.

"And all those bullies are gonna have to watch you succeed, my friend!" Crews declared. Dixon seems to have inherited his musical talent from a legendary musician.

The young musician's great-grandfather was the late R&B saxophonist Thomas Maxwell Davis. The icon also gained international fame as a musical arranger and record producer.

ARE XOMG POP! AND JOJO SIWA CONNECTED?

After Dixon's incredible triumph in the auditions, the adorable girl band XOMG POP! delighted the show with their energetic dance moves, sparkly outfits, and glittered makeup.

Dancer and YouTube star JoJo Siwa and her mother, Jessalynn, were the duo who established XOMG POP!, and they both supported the all-girl team's "Candy Hearts" song and dance performance on stage.

The upbeat act was smooth and bright, making the audience groove to their music. Mesmerized by the group's stage presence, Mandel remarked that the group should have their own show and go on tours.

Meanwhile, Vergara noted the girl's vibrant performance was fun. After successfully earning four votes of "yes" from the judges, the group will push through another round of performances on AGT soon.