Singing Sisters Among Five Acts To Reach ‘America’s Got Talent’ Semifinals

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‘America’s Got Talent’ contestants, the EriAm Sisters
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Nick Cannon attends Sony Pictures Classics’ screening of ‘Tyson’ at the AMC Loews 19th Street on April 20, 2009 in New York City, New York

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FIRST PUBLISHED: August 27, 2009 1:39 PM EDT
LAST UPDATED: August 27, 2009 1:50 PM EDT

LOS ANGELES, Calif. --

A guitarist from Baltimore, three singing sisters from Seattle, a percussive quartet from Goffstown, N.H., an opera singer from Houston and a pint-sized ballroom-dance duo from Everett, Wash., have claimed the last five semifinal spots on “America’s Got Talent.”

Drew Stevyns, the EriAm Sisters, Recycled Percussion, Barbara Padilla and Erik and Rickie joined the show’s semifinal slate of 20 acts Wednesday. All are vying for a $1 million prize and the chance to headline a Las Vegas show in October.

Another seven acts were dismissed from the NBC talent show Wednesday. Viewers selected the top four favorites via phone, e-mail and text message votes, while judges Piers Morgan, Sharon Osbourne and David Hasselhoff picked the fifth semifinalist.

Judges heaped praise on two dance groups that didn’t make the cut. And though they lauded pop singer Mia Boostrom for her voice and her resilience — she appeared on the show last season and auditioned again this time around — they didn’t pick her for the last semifinal spot, instead choosing ballroom dancers Erik and Rickie, ages 8 and 9.

“This show is full of surprises,” Osbourne said. “Nothing is predictable on this show.”

Wednesday’s episode also featured a performance by Reba McEntire, who said the key to making a good performance great is connecting with the audience, “and this is a great audience.”

Host Nick Cannon said 10 semifinalists will perform on Tuesday’s show.

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