Xenia brothers finish part of top 3 of ‘America’s Got Talent’

As the two-night season finale of NBC’s “America’s Got Talent” wrapped up, two Xenia natives were a part of a top three finalist’s band.

Kramer Sell, a Nashville-based drummer, and his brother, Clayton Sell, are members of Drake Milligan’s band. Milligan, a Nashville-based country singer from Fort Worth, Texas, joined 10 other acts competing for the $1 million prize and a show in Las Vegas.

The Mayyas, a Lebanese dance group, won first place. Pole dancer Kristy Sellars placed second. Milligan finished third.

Credit: Submitted Photos

Credit: Submitted Photos

“This has forever changed my life,” Milligan said after the results were announced. “Everybody who voted at home, all you judges for taking a chance on me, this show has completely changed my life and my career, thank you all so much.”

Two judges offered encouraging words for the singer.

“Drake, you know this, you are already a star,” said Howie Mandel. “You’ve had number one hits. You have a new album coming out. You got exposure like nobody could have at the highest level. Good luck buddy and the world is coming to see you live.”

Simon Cowell added, “I repeat what I said week after week. You could have just left – you had a number one record – you didn’t. You stayed in the competition and that, for your future, I believe was the right thing for you to have done because you are a fighter. You are hugely talented. This is just the beginning for you.”

During the finale, the Sell brothers played in a special performance alongside country music artists Darius Rucker and Jon Pardi.

Dayton.com talked with Kramer after he first appeared on Season 17 of “America’s Got Talent” in early June. He said he wanted to encourage young musicians to follow their dreams.

“Dream big and dream outside the box,” said Kramer “There is no road map to do this. Once you have all that positive energy in the gas tank, buckle down and put in the work.”

That’s exactly what Kramer and his brother did to make it on “America’s Got Talent.”

The two-night season finale of “America’s Got Talent” aired Tuesday, Sept. 13 and Wednesday, Sept. 14 on NBC. The episodes are available for streaming on Peacock.

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