Songwriting and music are great ways for people to share their feelings and thoughts about life’s ups and downs, especially

when words fail them. Those who have lost a loved one or been through another traumatic experience may find solace in the creative process.

Mitch Rossell, now 35 and from east Tennessee, experienced a life-altering tragedy when he was 10 years old.

His parents and in-laws’ grandparents were killed in a car accident caused by his drunk driving. Mitch’s sudden loss of his family, especially his father, left him devastated.

But after graduating from high school, Mitch decided to take up the guitar his father had given

him when he was a kid and learn to play.
Mitch explained, ‘It was the only thing he ever really asked me to do.’

Mitch started singing after some brief discussion with the judges. Seconds into his deeply felt and poignant performance,

the room fell silent. A man who performed an original song about his late father held the audience spellbound.

Many in the crowd could be seen dabbing their eyes with tissue. The lines were heartbreaking in their simplicity and beauty.

‘And he’d say, son, I hope you know how much I love you
And when you’re not with me, I’m always thinking of you
You’re the drive inside my heart, the reason I reach for the stars above
He said my world revolves around you, that’s why I call you ‘son’’

A standing ovation, deafening applause, and raucous cheers erupted from the studio audience and the judges.

The judges were so moved by Matt’s performance that they unanimously voted four times in his favor.