- published: 13 Aug 2008
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Eli James Mattson (born November 4, 1981) is an American pianist and singer. He was the runner-up on the third season of America's Got Talent, beating out over 200,000 contestants. The difference in the votes during the final was less than 0.5%. His rendition of Marc Cohn's 1991 hit, "Walking in Memphis" during his initial audition impressed many, picking up on his maturity and vocal talent.[citation needed]
Mattson was born in Duluth, Minnesota. He has been playing piano since he was five years old and has been performing, including his own compositions, since the age of fourteen.
When Eli was only 16, he was awarded a prestigious grant from the Peninsula Arts Association in Wisconsin to help further his music career.
After touring with a country band, he lived in Chicago for three years before his national debut on America's Got Talent.
He has been playing at local venues for the past several years and has garnered a large and varied fanbase. He calls Door County, Wisconsin home.
Eli's influences include Elton John, Billy Joel, Bruce Hornsby, Jimmy Newquist, Dave Matthews Band, just to name a few.