This teen’s Ed Sheeran cover shines on the AGT stage. Let me tell you about this sweet little country soul who walked onto the America’s Got Talent stage and absolutely melted every single heart in the room. His name is Chase Varnes, he’s just 13 years old, and y’all—he’s the kind of kid that makes you want to stand up and cheer like you’re watching your own baby on stage.
Chase grew up on a farm—yes, a real one, with dirt and chores and everything—and you could still hear that small-town charm in his voice as he introduced himself to the judges. Just this regular ol’ kid with freckles, cute hair, and a dream so big it could fill the whole sky.
Before he even sang a note, Chase shared that he’s been playing drums since he was four years old, and two years ago, he decided to teach himself guitar on his own. No lessons, no spotlight. Just a kid, a dream, and some worn-down strings.
And then… he started to sing.
It was an original song, one he’d written himself, and you could see the nerves written all over his sweet face. He was barely a minute in when Simon Cowell raised his hand and stopped the performance.
You could feel the crowd hold its breath. My stomach dropped. I wanted to crawl through the screen and hug that boy, tell him not to give up.
But then Simon leaned forward, softened his tone, and said “I didn’t like the song… but I like you.”
And that’s when the magic happened.
Simon gave him another shot, and Chase picked ‘Life Goes On’ by Ed Sheeran. And friend, when I say that boy lit up the stage, I mean it.
He came alive. Like something in his spirit caught fire.
His voice rang out pure and strong, full of country grit and heartache way beyond his years. He sang with this kind of beautiful vulnerability that said, “I’ve been through things. I’ve felt pain. But I’m still standing. I’m still singing.”
And the crowd? They were on their feet.
The judges’ jaws dropped. And Chase? He didn’t just sing. He showed up. With fire in his eyes and grit in his soul, this young farm boy did something most grown adults would never dare—he kept going after being stopped, rejected, and rattled. And he did it with grace, courage, and a whole lot of heart.
He didn’t just make people happy. He made people believe. He had the audience on their feet! He made them believe in grit, in second chances, and believe in the power of showing up, even when it’s scary. Because, as Chase reminded us: Life goes on. And sometimes, that second song, that second try? It’s where the real magic lives.
“Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin.” Zechariah 4:10