of his younger self. After months of rehearsals, the show opened in June of that year at the Dix Hills Performing Arts Centre where Jesse sang 14 songs a night with no understudy. This led to appearances on Good Day NY and Channel 55 News. Jesse received rave reviews from the New York papers and from everyone who came and watched each night in the audience who took notice to his mature singing ability and passionate performance skills. Shortly after the musical, Jesse was the opening act for the 80s rock band Living Colour and the headlining act at the "Rock For Haiti" benefit concert on Long Island. Rising Star In 2014, Kinch auditioned on the premiere episode of the US Rising Star show broadcast live on June 22 that year on ABC singing "I Put a Spell on You" by Screaming 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 the 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 the West Coast). 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 4 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%. Due to the large gap between percentages, the officials