BY Stephanie Specchio
Holly Campbell is accustomed to center stage. She performs with several local groups and directs Odessa-Montour high school’s musical. But when she took the stage to audition for America’s Got Talent, she recalls being completely overwhelmed.
“It was awe-inspiring,” said Campbell. “Everyone was wonderful. It was a great experience, but it was terribly nerve-wracking. I sang with a sinus infection and was just getting over COVID. I didn’t have the control over my voice that I normally do.”
Campbell performed “For Good,” from Wicked with Kim Scadlock, and ultimately received both a standing ovation from the packed house and four “yes” votes from the judges, which means the singers have the potential to move on to the next round.
More importantly, Campbell said, is that she and Scadlock were able to share their story and message. In 2007, Campbell’s infant son, Jacob, died unexpectedly. The last song she sang to him was “For Good.” One of the last decisions she and husband, Andy, made for Jake was that baby Jacob would be an organ donor. Jacob’s heart was donated to 16-day-old Beckham Scadlock, a stranger living thousands of miles away who was identified as a perfect match for Jake’s heart. The first song Beckham’s mother, Kim, sang to him when he was finished with his heart transplant surgery was “For Good.”
“What are the odds that we would both have chosen that song to sing to our boys,” said Campbell, who explained that since meeting each other, she and Scadlock have performed the song together for groups that are trying to raise awareness about the importance of organ donation.
“Singing on America’s Got Talent was an opportunity to share our message on a really big stage,” said Campbell. “I will continue to share the importance of organ donation whenever I can. When someone becomes an organ donor, it is a tribute to Jake.”
To hear Campbell and Scadlock’s performance on America’s Got Talent, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mOcG59JOjI
Holly Campbell is accustomed to center stage. She performs with several local groups and directs Odessa-Montour high school’s musical. But when she took the stage to audition for America’s Got Talent, she recalls being completely overwhelmed.
“It was awe-inspiring,” said Campbell. “Everyone was wonderful. It was a great experience, but it was terribly nerve-wracking. I sang with a sinus infection and was just getting over COVID. I didn’t have the control over my voice that I normally do.”
Campbell performed “For Good,” from Wicked with Kim Scadlock, and ultimately received both a standing ovation from the packed house and four “yes” votes from the judges, which means the singers have the potential to move on to the next round.
More importantly, Campbell said, is that she and Scadlock were able to share their story and message. In 2007, Campbell’s infant son, Jacob, died unexpectedly. The last song she sang to him was “For Good.” One of the last decisions she and husband, Andy, made for Jake was that baby Jacob would be an organ donor. Jacob’s heart was donated to 16-day-old Beckham Scadlock, a stranger living thousands of miles away who was identified as a perfect match for Jake’s heart. The first song Beckham’s mother, Kim, sang to him when he was finished with his heart transplant surgery was “For Good.”
“What are the odds that we would both have chosen that song to sing to our boys,” said Campbell, who explained that since meeting each other, she and Scadlock have performed the song together for groups that are trying to raise awareness about the importance of organ donation.
“Singing on America’s Got Talent was an opportunity to share our message on a really big stage,” said Campbell. “I will continue to share the importance of organ donation whenever I can. When someone becomes an organ donor, it is a tribute to Jake.”
To hear Campbell and Scadlock’s performance on America’s Got Talent, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mOcG59JOjI
