Jesse Kinch (born 1994) is an American rock singer, songwriter and guitar player. He also plays piano, bass and drums. He was the first and only winner of the American series of Rising Star[1] international franchise based on the Israeli series HaKokhav HaBa. The American series was broadcast on ABC. The show was hosted by Josh Groban and the panel of experts members were Brad Paisley, Kesha and Ludacris.
Kinch, a Seaford, Long Island native[2] picked up a guitar when he was 6 influenced heavily by the great rock bands and guitarists of the 1960s, 1970s and the Seattle scene of the 1990s and at age 7 already performed in a NYC club and at age 8 was featured on a news item on TV News Channel 12, Long Island. At 10, Jesse was invited to the Sam Ash Guitar Competition where he finished third. He continued performing mainly in the New York City/Long Island club scene from young age.
He formed his own band, had a number of radio and TV appearances including Good Day NY and Channel 55 News and supported a number of charities. His original songs found radio airplay on Q104.3 NY, WBAB 102.3 Long Island and WMJC NY. He also released footage of performances on YouTube.
Jesse’s original songs are being written at a fast pace and are gaining attention from fans all over the world. Jesse’s original material deals with provocative subject matter and contemporary themes. His lyrics are stimulating and profound. Many of Jesse’s exciting live performance videos can be seen on You Tube. These include original material and breathtaking covers of many of rock’s greatest bands and classic hits.
In 2014, Kinch auditioned on the inaugurative episode of the show's auditions broadcast live on June 22 that year on ABC with "I Put a Spell on You" from Jay Hawkins getting 92% of votes including 7% from each of all three panelists and a standing ovation. During the "duels" round on JUly 16 against Will Roth, he sang "Whipping Post" from The Allman Brothers Band prevailing over Roth with a 90% score (89% on West Coast vote). On "The Round of Thirteen" stage on August 3, he again excelled with "Seven Nation Army" from The White Stripes garnering 88% (87% on tyhe West Coast) ending with best score percentage of all thirteen contestants with Austin French a close second.
In the quarterfinals on August 10 with Top 8 remaining, he performed "Money (That's What I Want)" getting 88% on both coasts with Austin French getting 89% (but 86% on West Coast). But this time only two panelists voted for him (Kesha and Ludacris) whereas Brad Paisely abstained.
In the semi-finals (Top 6) where he sang "Billie Jean" from Michael Jackson, he yet again finished first among all semi-finalist with a vote 83% on both coasts and all three panelists voting "yes".
On the final broadcast on August 24, 2014, with Top 40 remaining he performed "Fortunate Son" from Creedence Clearwater Revival eliminating rival Dana Williams (87% to 30%) whereas other finalist Austin French eliminated rival Audrey Kate Geiger with a closer margin 70% to 49%. In the second and final round of the final the same day, he faced Austin French singing "Love, Reign o'er Me" from The Who, whereas French sang "Bless the Broken Road" from Rascal Flatts. Kinch clinched the title with a public vote of 76% against French's 61%.