There are performances on America’s Got Talent that entertain the audience, and then there are performances that create an emotional moment people remember long after the show ends. Avery Dixon’s Season 17 audition was one of those unforgettable moments.
The talented saxophonist walked onto the America’s Got Talent stage in 2022 carrying more than just his instrument. He brought a personal story of overcoming adversity, a passion for music, and a determination to prove that the challenges he had faced would not define his future.
By the end of his audition, the audience was on its feet, the judges were visibly moved, and host Terry Crews made one of the biggest decisions of the night: he awarded Dixon the Golden Buzzer. The moment immediately became one of the most talked-about auditions from the season.
A Young Musician With a Powerful Story
Avery Dixon, a saxophonist from Atlanta, appeared during the Season 17 premiere of America’s Got Talent on May 31, 2022. At the time, he was 21 years old.
Before performing, Dixon opened up about some of the difficulties he had experienced growing up. He was born prematurely and explained that differences in his appearance and voice made him a target for bullying during elementary school. His voice was affected by vocal-cord issues, which made it sound different from those of other children.
Instead of allowing those experiences to stop him, Dixon found an outlet in music.
The saxophone became more than an instrument for him. It became a way to express emotions that were difficult to put into words and a source of confidence during difficult periods of his life.
That background gave his audition an emotional dimension even before the first note was played.
Then Avery Picked Up His Saxophone
When Dixon began performing, the atmosphere inside the theater changed.
His audition featured his saxophone interpretation of “Try a Little Tenderness,” the classic song associated with Otis Redding. Rather than simply focusing on the story he had told, Dixon let his musicianship speak for itself.
His playing quickly captured the attention of the judges and audience.
The performance combined technical skill with a strong emotional quality. Dixon wasn’t simply demonstrating that he could play the saxophone; he was communicating through it.
The audience responded with a standing ovation, while the judges praised the young musician for bringing both personality and emotion to the stage. Entertainment Tonight described his audition as one of the standout moments of the Season 17 premiere.
Terry Crews Was Deeply Moved
The biggest surprise came after the performance.
Host Terry Crews was visibly emotional as he watched Dixon receive the reaction from the room. Instead of waiting for the judges to continue with their usual voting process, Crews came forward and delivered a powerful message to Dixon.
Crews told him that he had touched the hearts of people in the building and emphasized that he wanted Dixon to know he had someone in his corner.
Then came the moment every AGT contestant dreams about.
Terry Crews hit the Golden Buzzer.
Gold confetti filled the stage as Dixon realized what had happened. The emotional reaction from Dixon and his family made the moment even more memorable. Contemporary coverage reported that he received the first Golden Buzzer of Season 17.
The Golden Buzzer sent Dixon directly through to the next major stage of the competition.
More Than a Golden Buzzer Moment
What made Avery Dixon’s story particularly compelling was that the Golden Buzzer wasn’t the end of his journey.
After receiving the Golden Buzzer, Dixon continued competing through the live shows.
During the semifinals, he performed Stevie Wonder’s “Higher Ground” with a full band. The performance again earned strong reactions from the judges, and Dixon advanced to the finals.
His progression demonstrated that his original audition wasn’t simply an emotional television moment. He continued to show that he could perform on one of the biggest entertainment stages in the United States.
In the finals, Dixon performed “Ain’t Nobody” by Rufus and Chaka Khan, again accompanied by musicians and backing singers. He later returned for the finale and performed “Higher Ground” with Trombone Shorty.
Although Dixon did not win Season 17, reaching the finals represented a significant achievement.
Why Avery Dixon’s Performance Still Resonates
Avery Dixon’s audition continues to stand out because it combines several things that make America’s Got Talent so popular: talent, personality, emotion, perseverance and a dramatic live reaction.
But perhaps the biggest reason people remember it is the message behind the performance.
Dixon faced experiences that could have discouraged him from pursuing music. Instead, he used music as a way to move forward.
His story is a reminder that talent doesn’t always begin with confidence. Sometimes confidence comes after someone discovers the thing that gives them a reason to keep going.
For Dixon, that thing was the saxophone.
His performance also demonstrated the unique power of live entertainment. There was no complicated visual trick or elaborate production needed to make the room emotional. A musician, a saxophone and a personal connection with the audience were enough.
A Performance That Became Part of AGT History
In 2025, as America’s Got Talent celebrated its 20th anniversary, Entertainment Weekly included Avery Dixon among the show’s memorable acts when looking back at the program’s history. The retrospective specifically highlighted his Season 17 audition, his journey through adversity and the Golden Buzzer from Terry Crews.
That recognition shows how the performance has remained part of the larger AGT story.
Dixon also returned to the Got Talent universe through America’s Got Talent: All-Stars in 2023, competing alongside other memorable performers from the franchise.
His journey therefore extended beyond the original Season 17 audition and became another chapter in the story of a musician who turned a difficult past into motivation for his future.
Watch Avery Dixon’s Golden Buzzer Moment
For viewers who want to experience the emotional moment again, the official America’s Got Talent YouTube channel published a video featuring Avery Dixon and Terry Crews reflecting on the Golden Buzzer moment.
The Lasting Message
Avery Dixon’s America’s Got Talent audition was never just about pressing a Golden Buzzer.
It was about a young musician walking onto a huge stage and showing the world what he could do after years of being made to feel different.
His saxophone gave him a voice.
His performance gave the audience something to remember.
And Terry Crews’ Golden Buzzer transformed an already emotional audition into one of Season 17’s defining moments.
Years later, Avery Dixon remains an example of how perseverance and passion can turn difficult experiences into motivation. His AGT journey shows that sometimes the most powerful performances aren’t simply about being technically impressive—they are about making people feel something.
And that is exactly what Avery Dixon accomplished when he stepped onto the America’s Got Talent stage.
