Fletcher Pilon, 14, wows judges on Australia’s Got Talent with song in memory of his brother Banjo
FLETCHER Pilon won the hearts of everyone last night with his heartfelt song in memory of his brother Banjo on Australia’s Got Talent.
IT was billed as the “most emotional night of the year” by the producers of Australia’s Got Talent.
And no more so than for the Pilon family of Wamberal as more than 900,000 viewers tuned in last night to watch talented 14-year-old Fletcher Pilon perform a heartfelt song in memory of his late brother Banjo.
As the Terrigal High School student stepped up to the microphone with his guitar, he told the judges of the Channel Nine talent show that the song he was about to sing was one he penned himself called Infinite Child.
Fletcher won the hearts of the everyone on the show after delivering a brilliant and moving audition, which was recorded less than four months after 10-year-old Banjo Pilon was tragically killed in a skateboarding accident outside his home.
“It was definitely harder than I expected getting up there — it was quite emotional. But this is something I wanted to do for my brother,” Fletcher said.
He said he initially put off writing a song for Banjo “as I knew it would be difficult”, but the audition gave him the push to compose the moving song.
Talented musician Fletcher showed amazing courage while singing about his brother as judges Ian “Dicko” Dickson, Sophie Monk, Kelly Osbourne, Eddie Perfect and members of the audience wiped away tears.
Mum Jilly Pilon, who watched the audition offstage, wrote on Facebook before the screening that she had “mixed emotions” about the airing of the show.
“Mixed emotions about watching Australia’s Got Talent tonight. Really proud of you Fletch. We love you Banjo,” she wrote.
Monk called the performance “amazing and incredible”, and Perfect praised Fletcher’s strength.
“You are so strong to do what you just did … you have a fire and a courage ... I don’t know if I’d be upright if I were you, mate,” Perfect said. “ You’re a genuine talent and you’re an incredibly impressive human being.”
Fletcher said the judges’ response meant a lot to him and his family. He said his brother would have given him the thumbs up.
“I feel like I can communicate with him, and I know he’d be pretty happy with the song,” he said.
Fletcher received four “yes” votes and will proceed to the next round.
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