Kelly Clarkson isn’t the only performer concertgoers get to hear belt out tunes at her concerts.
LSU alumnus Peyton McMahon was a featured guest at Clarkson’s Piece by Piece Tour stop at the Gexa Energy Pavilion in Dallas.
The singer said the performance was one of the defining moments in his life.
McMahon displays his talent on his YouTube channel which has more than 12,000 subscribers. With a budding fan base, the young star recollects how his musical journey started.
“My grandmother was a piano instructor, and at the age of 5, I started playing too and fell in love,” he said. “It was definitely the thing that got me started.”
McMahon openly played piano, but said he was shy about his vocal talents.
“I wasn’t confident in my voice, and I didn’t think I would sound good like in the shower,” he said.
In a quest for vocal tuning and more musical instruments, McMahon began playing guitar when he was 10.
He said he recalls, participating in Disney World’s American Idol Experience attraction during a family vacation. This competition allows audience members to sing their favorite songs followed by the audience choosing the winner.
“I tried out for that, and I ended up winning the whole day. I won a pass to proceed to the front of the whole line at the actual ‘American Idol’ audition, then a video of me singing came out of nowhere and it went viral around my school,” he said.
While he was working toward his bachelor’s degree at LSU, McMahon said he was inspired to pursue a career in independent music by watching others in LSU talent shows.
After graduation, McMahon said he was able to focus on his music career.
With a developing résumé, McMahon said the Clarkson performance was one of his proudest moments as an entertainer.
“I performed during Kelly Clarkson’s Piece by Piece Tour in Dallas, she called me like the day before and I dropped everything and went,” he said.
McMahon performed Gavin DeGraw’s “I Don’t Want To Be” to concertgoers as his opening song.
English senior Eric Couto said he remembers McMahon’s performance at Clarkson’s concert and is a fan of McMahon’s YouTube videos.
“I think Peyton can sing really well and has been able to [sing] for a very long time.” Couto said. “He’s getting the recognition now, but unlike a lot of artists, he deserves it,” Couto said.
McMahon covers other artists as well, including OneRepublic, Sia, Fifth Harmony and Matchbox Twenty. The songs can be found on his YouTube channel. McMahon said he is positive about his future in music and appreciates the recognition he receives.
“It’s cool that people are paying attention, but I know I have a long way to go,” he said.