When you’re turning down “America’s Got Talent,” you know you’re a big deal.
HHS senior drummer Jack Mitchell’s life has been turned upside down – in more ways than one – recently, when a video of him posted on TikTok went viral. The video shows Mitchell’s role in the Homewood Marching Band’s halftime show, strapped into and spinning around in a neon-lit gyroscope while he plays the drums.
Since the video of him in the gyroscope went viral, Mitchell has been interviewed by media outlets, his video has racked up millions of views across social media platforms, and yes, “America’s Got Talent” even reached out to him about making an appearance on the show.
Mitchell declined, however, not interested in furthering the attention he’d already received. He said the attention was neither a good or bad thing, clearly not letting the moment of internet fame go to his head. Initially, the drummer didn’t even realize the video had blown up.
“My friends started sending me links like, ‘Dude, you’re famous,'” Mitchell said. “I had to make a TikTok account to see what it was all about. I don’t use it, but it was really funny.”
Homewood’s band is known for its tradition of excellence and has participated in many prominent parades, including its appearance in Dublin last year for St. Patrick’s Day, but never before has it gained this much attention, so quickly.
The video was taken by a crowd member at the home football game versus Briarwood on Aug. 30 and rapidly gained traction as it got reposted.
“It’s really cool and I try not to take it for granted,” Mitchell said. “ It’s certainly not a bad thing, it’s just sometimes annoying when people come up and ask me the same question over and over again [about it].”
Although Mitchell only started drumming in middle school, it came easy for him.
“I had never picked up a drum before 6th grade,” he said. “So I went to band tryouts and they let you try out on whatever instruments you want, and I was like, ‘Drums seem cool,’ so I tried out.”
Mitchell said he scored a 22 out of 25 on that first evaluation.
He said he also took advantage of after school lessons with percussion instructor Darren Holbrooks.
“I did those, then I practiced on my own, but that was all I had,” he said. “Obviously, I practice a lot more in high school now, because there’s a lot more responsibility associated with that.”
Mitchell’s relationship with Holbrooks and band director Chris Cooper seemed to earn him the star role in the gyroscope. He said there was originally going to be a tryout for the role, based on points accumulated in Holbrooks’ practice system. However, Mitchell said Cooper asked him directly if he wanted to do it.
“The answer was obviously yes,” Mitchell said.
He plans to continue his drumming career in college, aiming for schools with excellent band programs. He has no interest in giving it up. Even if it’s not his main priority, Mitchell said drumming will always be a part of his future.
But for now with his internet fame, he’ll just have to keep his feet on the ground – when he’s not strapped into the gyroscope, anyway.
This story was originally published on The Homewood Tricorne on September 24, 2024.