There are only two shows that I watch on television: America’s Got Talent and 24. Now most guys will admit the Jack Bauer fix, but watching America’s Got Talent is a lot like riding a moped: fun to drive but you don’t want your friends catching you on one.

Hosted by my favorite afternoon show host, Jerry Springer, the two finalists last year were a ventriloquist named Terry Fator and a singer named Cas Haley. I have to admit, my wife and I fell in love with Cas’s voice on his first night and had to watch each week to see his spin on songs like “Dancing on the Moon.” He’s a combination of blues and reggae with a tropical twist. He’s the next Jimmy Buffet with more vocal talent.

He lost out to the guy with his hand stuck in a sock (no hard feelings), but I was excited to see him visit Indianapolis on his summer tour last week at the Music Mill near Keystone at the Crossing. He brought in a full band of 7: drummer, trumpet, sax, lead guitar, bass guitar, and a percussionist that added the tropical twang. The concert itself was awesome, only about 200 people but very intimate and the sound was great.

Now let me get to the reason why I’m writing this post to begin with. Cas Haley, besides being musically gifted, is also a very personable guy. After his encore, the lights came up and Cas stepped down off the stage in his “capri-length” shorts and greeted each and every person as they left the venue. I expected a quick handshake, “please buy my CD”, or “hey, you’d look good in my overpriced shirt.” Quite the contrary, Cas talked to everyone like we were at his wedding reception.

Of course, I had to tell him how talented he was, which he graciously agreed. I asked him about his wife and son. He was excited to talk about his new house they are moving into (something he spoke of on his first appearance on America’s Got Talent). He also talked to us about the record deal he passed on from Simon’s label, a deal that would have given him a $200,000 advance. Here is a guy that was basically a stay-at-home dad struggling to make some extra income and he passed on a deal that would have made him comfortable for at least the first year.

As much as I love his music and him as a person, a dad, and a musician, I do have to give some constructive feedback. Cas, you need to come out with some of your own original music. While you sing good songs better than the originals, you need your own identity and “mark” on music. I would also recommend that your website share more family and personal info with visitors, much like the Cas Haley that I met in Indy last week. Hey, I’m thinking about driving to Nashville to catch him again later this month, so I still love the guy. I wish him the best and hope he has all the success he deserves. He’s one guy I wouldn’t mind seeing with the millions of dollars, somehow, I’m not worried about it going to his head.