Von singing "And I Am Telling You" at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts in Kansas City. Video recording courtesy of Jack Martin.
Why is this the first time I see this video? Why is he not a household name? Why is he not on the radio? Why is he not a bigger star? The fact that I have to ask these questions is beyond astronomically absurd. He's a vocal prodigy.
@Lewis Edwards - The music industry is in LA and NYC not in Kansas. And, they have their own click just like in high school. There're a ton of talented people out there that we have never heard of bc they don't get the opportunity. It's a very, very, very tough industry. It's about who knows who and also, at the beginning the singer have very little control over their career, they are like puppets for the industry. Some people like to have control over their lives and careers. Those might be some of the reasons why we have not heard about him and why he doesn't have a recording contract. It could also be that he's difficult to work with. Who knows?
Great work. I feel privilidged to be able to say I am among the first few million people who first discovered Von Smith. We will be seeing this young talent for years to come. Thank you Rosie for bringing him to our attention!
Every time I watch videos of you I am amazed. I'm a performer in NYC and don't understand why you're not here. I know you probably want to be a recording artist, but you are incredibly gifted and would love to see someone with a voice like yours on stage . Great job it's always a joy to hear talented people doing what they love
WOW! Von, you were amazing on the View! Rosie, thanks so much for introducing the world to Von. I have a feeling this is just the beginning of great things to come.
That was bloody amazing! I'm gobsmacked! This is by far the best "And I Am Telling You" performance, I've ever come across. (Minus the two Jennifer's performances, nobody can top them)
And I'm telling you Von, they are going to LOVE you! You are an amazing talent. Ive been looking at all your videos today and you have it all. Incredible voice, you dance, you act and it all seems so effortless. What a natural. Love you!
I was in here comparing the two Jennifers when I accidentally found this video. "And let me be telling you", I'll be eagerly following THIS young man's career.
I am in tears....what a voice! Mr. Von Smith, I salute you Sir! Never has a man's voice touch my heart my soul!!!!! Clive Davis you missed out on signing him to record! WHEW
Ohmygosh...Von Lee Smith is an amazing talent and should be heard by everyone. I saw him on the View today 2-27-07 and he knocked my socks off...it's amazing that he could go on TV and sing like he has done it his whole life!!!! ABSOLUTELY OUTSTANDING!!! I can't wait to get his CD when it comes out!!!! Good Luck Von Lee Smith...you should be doing something more with all this talent...I hope you have an agent!!!
Earphones in and on another page reading when autoplay moves on to the next song and all I could think was I have to check out this woman cause she has some amazing voice. Thought it could be Jennifer ( The original Jennifer that is) but then saw Von and he put a big smile on my face.
Saw him on The View this morning. WOW..so much talent.Remember that Rosie was the one to bring Josh Groban on to her show and look at him now. Thank-you Rosie for bringing such talent to us. I wish you the best man. Your journey has just begun.
I record 106 & Park every day and I usually do so in hopes of coming across a great performance here and there but today as I fast forward through the show (like MTV they air the same videos daily) I saw a caucassian, which is unusual, the only other caucasian invited has been Justin Timberlake so I immediately stop rewind and play and to my amazement my jaw dropped as I watched this OUTSTANDING, EMOTIONAL, AWESOME performance by this young man.
Absoluty amazing! So much better than ANYONE they have on Amer Idol right now!! Now he won't even need Amer Idol to jumpstart his career. Take that Simon! Dont know how he wasnt discovered before all this! This guys on his way for sure! Best wishes Von :)
Okk Im blown away by talent and performance how is it possible that he is not the most famous singer on the face of the earth yet!?!?!! Saw Von on opening act and cant get enough!
Wow!! I am blown away. What an incredible voice and I normally do not like male singers. You have a true gift. Don't let anybody ever tell you otherwise.
ABSOLUTELY AMAAAAAZING!! Being a singer myself, I listen to professional singers all the time. You rank with the BEST of them, Von. I look forward to seeing you in your own show soon :)
it's like the 10th time i'm lookin @ this n man i can barely express myself bout it;i saw your performance on BET n I was like wt the ... just happened, i was WOW'd! u r really amazin, u got it all: tenor, base even soprano!!! if i was a Big Music International tv broadcast I would call u too! u deserve wat u're aiming for :THE STARS!!!
You're a phenomenon! The first time that I heard Jennifer Hudson on Idol I knew she was gonna be a star and I feel the same way listening to you now. Don't wait, go for it!
After watching "American Idol" tonight, one really appreciates Von's talent. There was no one who could touch him. It's so amazing that Von didn't even get past the initial screeners.
I found this video back in December and I've probably listened to him fifty times. He's a hometown fella, a neighbor you might say, from around the way. Now I know who he reminds me of... It is Sam Harris from that 1980's era show Star Search. (Anybody know what Sam's up too?) Anywho, Von is excellente. What an instrument he's using so powerfully. I hope he is able to follow his dreams.
This is an amazing talent....for those that are like tone it down? are you kidding this is a man born for theatre period! forget the pop bs,theatre holds more talented people than there will ever be found on your mtv channel. I hope to see you in ny sometime.
Von, you're getting THOUSANDS of views every day. Way to go! Let's hope one of them is Clive Davis, so you'll get the record deal you so richly deserve.
Thank you sanderek, finally someone paying attention to technique. The boy can sang! But it does seem to be an imitaion of the original artist. I would love to hear an original piece from this up and coming artist.
We really need a backstory on this guy. I came across him on YT years ago covering the Streisand song, "A Piece of Sky". He is a vocal phenomenon who does a lot of covers. The story that needs to be told is why we've heard anything "big" from him. No contract? No albums? No Broadway shows? There's got to be an explanation for why this guy with all of his vocal gifts is not well known. Interesting.
Absolutely AMAZING. There is no doubt in my mind that you would have taken that million dollar prize from America's Got Talent winner, Bianca Ryan. Amazing voice.
i just can't understand how can he exist.... my friend, you have not one of the voices, but THE MOST AMAZING VOICE I've ever heard... I don't know if I wanna sing anymore...
WOW Im suprised by the comments of people. I hate when people act liek they REALLY know what they are talking about. Anyways, give props for the art and the talent. If you dont like that he can wail higher then you and ur momma, suck it up and watch other videos there ar alot to choose from haha! I hope this kid is cool and is working hard to build a career for himself. Stop hating this kid is fantastic. So all of you who dont know what your talking about...SHUT UP!
Excellent...excellent indeed! The emotion, the voice, i'd even say keep the look because it fools everyone who has that stereotypic view that you should look a certain look to sing a certain type of song/genre! Be you VON!!! U ROCK! Don't get caught up in the entertainment make-over..cause then you lose what is real...I saw BET! But I love this better! I'm a fan for life yo!!!
my left ear really enjoyed this
This deserved so many more likes..
🤣
Fuckin thought I accidentally snapped my earphones chords again
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
También pensé lo mismo, porque sería eso jajaja
Holy shit, I've never seen a man cover this song that well. Spectacular! Phenomenal! Everyone needs to share this link.
I've never seen a male pull this off so intuitively and so perfectly considerate of intonation.
Why is this the first time I see this video? Why is he not a household name? Why is he not on the radio? Why is he not a bigger star? The fact that I have to ask these questions is beyond astronomically absurd. He's a vocal prodigy.
@Lewis Edwards - The music industry is in LA and NYC not in Kansas. And, they have their own click just like in high school. There're a ton of talented people out there that we have never heard of bc they don't get the opportunity. It's a very, very, very tough industry. It's about who knows who and also, at the beginning the singer have very little control over their career, they are like puppets for the industry. Some people like to have control over their lives and careers. Those might be some of the reasons why we have not heard about him and why he doesn't have a recording contract. It could also be that he's difficult to work with. Who knows?
He will make it that great he has to. Love and peace from uk. ✌✌✌✌
He went on Americas Got Talent and ended up 3rd or something. He never performed as well as this again.
He always goes one step further than you ever thought possible. Genius.
A black women turn into white man....goshhh he is so amazing and Vonatic voice ever!
WELL IT'S KINDA LIKE WHEN MJ TURNED FROM BLACK TO WHITE !
After five years, still the best damn performance on TH-cam.
11 years and still counting
That ending was absolutely epic 😍
Great work. I feel privilidged to be able to say I am among the first few million people who first discovered Von Smith. We will be seeing this young talent for years to come. Thank you Rosie for bringing him to our attention!
WHERE IS HE NOW? HE'S REALLY GREAT.
3:30-4:15 straight fire!! Kept rewinding it over and over again!!!
Every time I watch videos of you I am amazed. I'm a performer in NYC and don't understand why you're not here. I know you probably want to be a recording artist, but you are incredibly gifted and would love to see someone with a voice like yours on stage . Great job it's always a joy to hear talented people doing what they love
WOW! Von, you were amazing on the View! Rosie, thanks so much for introducing the world to Von. I have a feeling this is just the beginning of great things to come.
Godly blessed voice!!! Sang that song boy!!!!!
Holy crap!! Wow. Crazy range
I love that he’s not afraid to make faces.
i cant get enuff of his voice!! i listen to this like everyday!
Man! That one sent chills down my spine. You have really gotten comfortable with this song and seem to be making it your own! Loved it Von!
WHOOOO!! I got goosebumps, my eyes got all Misty and my hand went up in the air praising that voice!!!!! DAMN!!!!!!
This guy is phenomenal! How are there people TALKING through this performance and how is he not a huge star!?
That was bloody amazing! I'm gobsmacked!
This is by far the best "And I Am Telling You" performance, I've ever come across. (Minus the two Jennifer's performances, nobody can top them)
Sing Boy Sing. SIMPLY EXPLOSIVE!
And I'm telling you Von, they are going to LOVE you! You are an amazing talent. Ive been looking at all your videos today and you have it all. Incredible voice, you dance, you act and it all seems so effortless. What a natural. Love you!
by far the best male singer I have ever heard. Hope to hear more.
whew. that boy. is firken crazy at singing. amaziiiiiing how much talent there is out there.
i'll never get tired of this performance!!
I really want to see this kid on the talk show circuit. Great set of pipes. This clip should be sent to Oprah who was raving over Jennifer Hudson.
I was in here comparing the two Jennifers when I accidentally found this video. "And let me be telling you", I'll be eagerly following THIS young man's career.
How on earth are their people still talking?! What is wrong with them? How can you not stay still and be amazed?
I am in tears....what a voice!
Mr. Von Smith, I salute you Sir! Never has a man's voice touch my heart my soul!!!!! Clive Davis you missed out on signing him to record! WHEW
this man is wonderful
So much soul
Ok, I JUST compared you to Jennifer Hudson after listening to your Whitney cover, and then I find THIS? You are simply AMAZING in every way.
Oh my god. That was just... I'm speechless. You're incredible.
He's great!!! Who needs American Idol!! Some big wig will see him and sign him soon
Ohmygosh...Von Lee Smith is an amazing talent and should be heard by everyone. I saw him on the View today 2-27-07 and he knocked my socks off...it's amazing that he could go on TV and sing like he has done it his whole life!!!! ABSOLUTELY OUTSTANDING!!! I can't wait to get his CD when it comes out!!!! Good Luck Von Lee Smith...you should be doing something more with all this talent...I hope you have an agent!!!
Earphones in and on another page reading when autoplay moves on to the next song and all I could think was I have to check out this woman cause she has some amazing voice. Thought it could be Jennifer ( The original Jennifer that is) but then saw Von and he put a big smile on my face.
wonderful voice, wonderful performance- true grace
amazing!
I hope we see and hear more from this talented, young vocalist!
Saw him on The View this morning. WOW..so much talent.Remember that Rosie was the one to bring Josh Groban on to her show and look at him now. Thank-you Rosie for bringing such talent to us. I wish you the best man. Your journey has just begun.
great range.. great emotion... dont let any one tell you any different
I saw you on The View the other day and was astounded by your performance. FANTASTIC.
Baby you can blow! May God bless you to go farther in your career than you could have ever imagined! Pam
You're such an amazing singer......
I'm totally speechless 😮
Just Beautiful. Gave me chills. WOW.
SOmeone please give him a record contract now i would buy his album in a heartbeat! damn hes freakin awesome
Phenomonal! I have heard this song performed many times over the last 20+ years, but this is, by far the best yet. What a gift...
Finally! Someone with originality! Kicking some butt! Looking forward to your first CD! I'd buy it!
You will be a household name someday soon Von! Love your heart and how you share it for everyone to feel so much love, Yeah, were gonna love YOU!!!
I record 106 & Park every day and I usually do so in hopes of coming across a great performance here and there but today as I fast forward through the show (like MTV they air the same videos daily) I saw a caucassian, which is unusual, the only other caucasian invited has been Justin Timberlake so I immediately stop rewind and play and to my amazement my jaw dropped as I watched this OUTSTANDING, EMOTIONAL, AWESOME performance by this young man.
I got chills, which means that I have just witness an awesome performance. He is in good company with both Jennifer's!
That was the truth. I wish you all the blessing with life and in music.
Remember when I 1st saw this 15yrs ago.. still until this day no one does this song better hope all are well gon ..
Absoluty amazing! So much better than ANYONE they have on Amer Idol right now!! Now he won't even need Amer Idol to jumpstart his career. Take that Simon! Dont know how he wasnt discovered before all this! This guys on his way for sure! Best wishes Von :)
My first time ever hearing a male sing this song. Not to shabby, not to shabby at all. Nice job.
Okk Im blown away by talent and performance how is it possible that he is not the most famous singer on the face of the earth yet!?!?!! Saw Von on opening act and cant get enough!
Sing it boy! I've been sharing with this everyone. Excellent vocals and passion.
Words can't even begin to describe how amazing this performance was on so many levels, simply spectacular!!
I dont think this man got the applause he deserved....hands should have been BLEEDING!!!🎉🎉🎉🎉
Wow!! I am blown away. What an incredible voice and I normally do not like male singers. You have a true gift. Don't let anybody ever tell you otherwise.
this has got to be one my favorite videos ever. You have one of the most amazing voices i have ever heard. Thank you for your voice and your song.
There's only a few people in this world who can sing this song that good and you are part of that few!!! AMAZING
damn, he's really got it going on!!! he ripped that song in his own way and made it into his own...wow!!! awesome job kid!!!
ABSOLUTELY AMAAAAAZING!! Being a singer myself, I listen to professional singers all the time. You rank with the BEST of them, Von. I look forward to seeing you in your own show soon :)
it's like the 10th time i'm lookin @ this n man i can barely express myself bout it;i saw your performance on BET n I was like wt the ... just happened, i was WOW'd! u r really amazin, u got it all: tenor, base even soprano!!! if i was a Big Music International tv broadcast I would call u too! u deserve wat u're aiming for :THE STARS!!!
great voice...you´got spirit, soul,you belts....wow!! ...beautiful colors in your powerfull voice!!
You're a phenomenon!
The first time that I heard Jennifer Hudson on Idol I knew she was gonna be a star and I feel the same way listening to you now. Don't wait, go for it!
After watching "American Idol" tonight, one really appreciates Von's talent. There was no one who could touch him. It's so amazing that Von
didn't even get past the initial screeners.
I found this video back in December and I've probably listened to him fifty times. He's a hometown fella, a neighbor you might say, from around the way. Now I know who he reminds me of... It is Sam Harris from that 1980's era show Star Search. (Anybody know what Sam's up too?) Anywho, Von is excellente. What an instrument he's using so powerfully. I hope he is able to follow his dreams.
Hope to see you on more shows on television Von. You are going to be huge.
Goosebumps here. Holy smokes, you're amazing. Yeah, I'm a bit late on this one. You're still 1000% amazing today though.
I can't imagine that was Von. He is about the SWEETEST guy I have ever met. Super adorable, modest, and shy in person.
simply breathtaking!!!!
He is fantastic. Good job. Glad to see your being noticed now by the world. Thanks to Rosie for the boost. He is great
I never heard a guy sing this song but there is only one word to describe this. Brilliant! BRAVO!
this kid can do anything with a voice like that. Just needs the right people interested in making him a star. Powerful voice. Hope he makes it.
*What a Voice!*
This is an amazing talent....for those that are like tone it down? are you kidding this is a man born for theatre period! forget the pop bs,theatre holds more talented people than there will ever be found on your mtv channel. I hope to see you in ny sometime.
Von, you're getting THOUSANDS of views every day. Way to go!
Let's hope one of them is Clive Davis, so you'll get the record deal you so richly deserve.
omg i wish i could sing that high!! ahaha!
Boy, are you going to get a record deal or what? You are a great singer!
WOW, I so hear Céline's style of singing. VERY nice, really spot on!
Thank you sanderek, finally someone paying attention to technique. The boy can sang! But it does seem to be an imitaion of the original artist. I would love to hear an original piece from this up and coming artist.
serapho1972 You wonderfully stole my words..Von is unique. I can't wait to buy his Album..so deserves it...extraordinary vocals!!!..Hopefully soon.
insanely beautiful!!!!!!!
Omg 15 years ago. This is amazing
oh my g-d! incredible! i cant believe ppl were taking at the beginning...so glad he got their attention by the end cos that was unreal!
We really need a backstory on this guy. I came across him on YT years ago covering the Streisand song, "A Piece of Sky". He is a vocal phenomenon who does a lot of covers. The story that needs to be told is why we've heard anything "big" from him. No contract? No albums? No Broadway shows? There's got to be an explanation for why this guy with all of his vocal gifts is not well known. Interesting.
Que bárbaro, enorme talento, ¡Muchas felicidades!
Von Smith, you are a miracle...Epic !!!!!
Absolutely AMAZING. There is no doubt in my mind that you would have taken that million dollar prize from America's Got Talent winner, Bianca Ryan. Amazing voice.
i just can't understand how can he exist.... my friend, you have not one of the voices, but THE MOST AMAZING VOICE I've ever heard... I don't know if I wanna sing anymore...
Just can't
stop listening to this guy
WOW Im suprised by the comments of people. I hate when people act liek they REALLY know what they are talking about. Anyways, give props for the art and the talent. If you dont like that he can wail higher then you and ur momma, suck it up and watch other videos there ar alot to choose from haha! I hope this kid is cool and is working hard to build a career for himself. Stop hating this kid is fantastic. So all of you who dont know what your talking about...SHUT UP!
Von, WHATEVER you choose to sing you rock and can be successful doing. Bravo man!!! (Love the echoes).
Amazing. Way bhan any of the men on American Idol this season. Hope someone is getting him a record deal after his performance on The View.
Oh my goodness is right... this kid is amazing.
damn! i don't know what i expected but i sure the hell didn't expect that! WOW!!!
HOLY S**T You go boy, you have a wonderful gift. Hope(and most likely will)to see you more often.
Dang.....You're voice is powerful...you go von.
Excellent...excellent indeed! The emotion, the voice, i'd even say keep the look because it fools everyone who has that stereotypic view that you should look a certain look to sing a certain type of song/genre! Be you VON!!! U ROCK! Don't get caught up in the entertainment make-over..cause then you lose what is real...I saw BET! But I love this better! I'm a fan for life yo!!!