Dexter's Payton Lakey to audition for spot on 'America's Got Talent'

By Jenn McKee Entertainment Reporter

Posted on Tue, Jan 22, 2013 : 12:12 p.m.

Dexter's Payton Lakey will audition for "America's Got Talent" this weekend.

Photo provided by Payton Lakey

Dexter's Payton Lakey, 18, a self-taught guitar player and country music singer, is scheduled to audition for for a spot on the TV show "America's Got Talent" on Saturday, Jan. 27 at McCormick Place in Chicago.

"About two months ago I sent in a video of my singing and playing guitar at one of my shows, and I got an email from one of the producers saying I get to skip the call lines and have a private audition," said Lakey in an email. "So it's kind of special!"

The audition will be the first step in a process that could end up with Lakey featured on the TV show, a popular NBC talent competition. "America's Got Talent" is now heading into its eighth season, with a panel of judges that most recently included Howard Stern, Sharon Osborne, and Howie Mandel.

The ultimate winner of each season's competition gets a $1 million prize.

The Saline Fiddlers are also scheduled to participate in the Chicago auditions.