Zuri Craig and Jeffrey Lewis are two best friends who met at a talent show in at Clark University in Atlanta. When producer, Tyler Perry, saw the duo’s gospelized version of “The Brady Bunch” theme on Youtube in 2009, he cast them in his musical Madea’s Big Happy Family. Soon after, they performed “The Brady Bunch” song on The Oprah Winfrey Show.
The singers continued to plug away, until they auditioned for America’s Got Talent this season, where they wowed the judges, Howard Stern, Heidi Klum, Mel B. and Howie Mandel with a soulful version of “It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World.” Their biggest triumph to date, however, came during the Judge Cuts, when their performance of “I’m Goin’ Down” by Mary J. Blige moved guest judge, Michael Buble, to hit his “golden buzzer,” and send the group straight to the live shows, set to take place at Radio City Music Hall.
We got the chance to ask the duo some questions, via email. They discuss their motivation for auditioning, preparing performances for the show, receiving the golden buzzer from Michael Buble and more!
Why did you decide to audition for AGT? – Zuri always wanted to be on America’s Got Talent and convinced Jeffery to do it.
How did the two of you celebrate getting the golden buzzer? – We left our hotel in the middle of the night and walked to McDonalds for ice cream.
What was going through your minds when Michael Buble hit that buzzer? – We were thinking THANK YOU GOD we made it to the live rounds!
What were you feeling when he teased you with a hit? Did you think he’d go through with it or not? – We honestly didn’t know what was about to happen! While we were standing there looking at his hand hovered above that button, both our hearts had dropped to our stomachs lol!
How do you plan to top your previous strong performances? – We don’t know. We will just work hard and give it all we’ve got like we always do.
What are your musical influences? – So many singers influence us but to nam a few. Whitney Houston, Sam Cooke, Patti LaBelle, John Legend, Aretha Franklin, Fantasia, Sam and Dave, Celine Dion and Bruno Mars.
What do you think you’ll need to do to win the million dollars? – Give it our all every time we hit that stage!
What is the process you go through when selecting songs to sing? – We try to find songs that we can relate to, songs that have some type of meaning to us.
Which act do you think is your biggest competition? – We think that they all are our biggest competition. Everyone is so good.
What would you do with the million if you won? – First thing we would do is do something nice for our moms.
Which judge is your favorite? – We love all of the judges.
Of all four judges, whose opinion matters to you the most? – All of their opinions matter.
How do you respond to criticism from the judges? – We take everything the judges tell us and we use it to make ourselves better.
What aspects of your act do you need to work on to make it even better? – We are working on singing together more (our harmonies).
What do you bring to AGT that other acts before you have not? – We are a very soulful duo. We sing together with heart and passion.
Assisted by Adam Samuels
The Craig Lewis Band sing “It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World”
https://youtu.be/_fC-WbDVMYY
The Craig Lewis Band sing “I’m Going Down” receive Golden Buzzer from Michael Buble
https://youtu.be/TDdTtvCMbq8
