DALLAS — Odell Bunton Jr. has known since he was 18 what he wanted to do for a living.
The Austin native, who put roots down in North Texas, is now one large step closer to that dream of singing on a world stage. Bunton is a contestant on ABC's American Idol, and not only did he get a golden ticket to Hollywood, he got a special platinum ticket.
"I make this joke that I can't pinch my arm no more because it's numb," said Bunton.
His parents are pastors so he grew up singing in the church. But it's one thing to sing for church, it's something entirely different to think singing can be a living. Bunton spent a lot of his school-age years in Arlington.
"I actually met him and saw him singing and I was like, 'Wow! He can really blow!'" recalled his wife Shataniqua Bunton. The two have been married for seven years and have five children.
Bunton tells WFAA he's done just about every odd job you can imagine. He'd play singing gigs on the side. He's been a chef, he's sold windows to homeowners, he's also been a janitor in the airport.
"Singing saved my life. I kinda started to grow content that maybe this isn't going to work," Bunton said about whether he could pursue music long-term.
Bunton has been vocal about his fight with depression.
"To keep going while, going through certain stuff behind closed doors...that's a strength that is unmatched," his wife said.
The talented gospel and soul singer needed a door to open and found it with American Idol. His audition blew the judges away and it resulted in him bypassing the first several rounds of Idol.
"This is everything to me. I am so humbled and honored man," he cried at WFAA studios where he was surprised with the news of the platinum ticket.
Don't be fooled, Bunton doesn't just sing gospel and soul. But, you can bet it's the reason he'll go far with his new audience.
"With gospel, man, you gotta feel it. It's one thing to sound great. It's one thing to make someone feel what you're singing," he told WFAA.