You’ve seen the turtle. You’ve seen the grumpy old man. But honestly, when you look at a terry fator songs list, you aren't just looking at a setlist—you’re looking at a vocal miracle. The guy won America’s Got Talent back in 2007, and since then, he’s basically become the human equivalent of a jukebox.
It’s weirdly impressive. Terry doesn't just "do voices." He sings full-throttle power ballads and country anthems without moving his lips. If you've ever tried to say "B" or "P" without closing your mouth, you know the struggle. Now imagine doing that while hitting a Garth Brooks high note.
The Classics Every Fan Knows
Let's talk about the heavy hitters. You can't have a terry fator songs list without "At Last." That’s the song that changed everything. When he brought out Emma Taylor—the little girl puppet with the giant voice—and belted out Etta James, the world stopped. It wasn't just a gimmick; it was soulful.
Most people don't realize how much variety he actually packs into a single show. He jumps from Etta James to Roy Orbison in a heartbeat.
- "At Last" (Etta James cover) – Performed by Emma Taylor. This is the GOAT of ventriloquism songs.
- "What a Wonderful World" (Louis Armstrong/Kermit duet) – Winston the Impersonating Turtle usually handles this one. It's a trippy experience because he switches between a gravelly Armstrong and a nasal Kermit flawlessly.
- "Friends in Low Places" (Garth Brooks cover) – Usually sung by Walter T. Airdale. Walter is that grumpy country singer who thinks he's better than Garth himself.
- "Let’s Get It On" (Marvin Gaye cover) – Winston again. There’s something deeply hilarious and slightly disturbing about a turtle singing Motown classics.
Terry Fator Songs List: The Unexpected Covers
A lot of folks think it’s all just oldies and country. Nope. Terry’s repertoire is actually pretty massive. He’s tackled everything from Bruno Mars to Andrea Bocelli. Honestly, the Bocelli stuff is where he proves he’s a world-class singer, period.
I remember seeing him do "The Prayer." He does both the male and female parts. He’ll sing the Andrea Bocelli section in a rich, operatic tenor, then switch to a Celine Dion-esque soprano through a puppet. It’s some high-level vocal gymnastics.
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The Rock and Pop Side
Terry’s got a bit of a rock streak too. He’s been known to pull out "Bohemian Rhapsody." Think about that for a second. That song has about fifty different vocal layers, and he manages to make it work with a bunch of foam characters.
His terry fator songs list often includes:
- "Play That Funky Music" (Wild Cherry) – Usually led by Duggie Scott Walker, his "stoner" character who’s perpetually stuck in the 70s.
- "Man in the Mirror" (Michael Jackson) – He has a specific Michael Jackson puppet for this, and the "hee-hees" are spot on.
- "Unforgettable" (Nat King Cole) – A beautiful, understated moment that usually features Emma Taylor again.
- "Ain’t No Sunshine" (Bill Withers) – Sung by Julius, his soul-singer puppet who has more smooth vibes than most real humans.
Why the Songs Matter More Than the Jokes
Ventriloquism is usually about the "dummy" getting the better of the "master." It’s a comedy trope as old as time. But Terry flipped the script. He realized that people like to laugh, but they love to be blown away.
By focusing on a diverse terry fator songs list, he turned a "dying art" into a $100 million Las Vegas residency. He isn't just making a doll talk; he’s performing a concert where he happens to be several different people.
Take "Crying" by Roy Orbison. That is an incredibly difficult song for a normal singer. The range is ridiculous. Terry does it through a puppet named Winston (who is dressed as Roy), and he hits those soaring high notes with a closed mouth. It’s technically insane.
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The Evolution of the Setlist
Since his time at The Mirage and his move to the New York-New York Hotel & Casino, the songs have shifted. He keeps things fresh. You might hear "Uptown Funk" one night and a medley of Beatles hits the next.
He also does original stuff. While most people come for the covers, his original song "Horses in Heaven" is a staple for longtime fans. It’s a tear-jerker. It shows a different side of him—less "Vegas showman" and more "guy with a heart."
Current Favorites in the Rotation
- "Crying" – The Roy Orbison classic.
- "Stayin' Alive" – Usually involves some hilarious Bee Gees impressions.
- "To All the Girls I’ve Loved Before" – A duet between Julio Iglesias and Willie Nelson (both puppets, obviously).
- "Live and Let Die" – Part of his more recent "Terry Fator: One Man, a Thousand Voices" era.
What Most People Get Wrong About His Performance
People assume he’s using a backtrack for the difficult notes. He’s not. I’ve seen him live, and the dude is sweating. Singing from the diaphragm without using your lips to shape the sounds requires a massive amount of air control.
When you look at a terry fator songs list, you should see it as a workout plan. Every song is a specific challenge for his vocal cords. The "B" sounds in "Bohemian Rhapsody" or the "P" sounds in "Play That Funky Music" are landmines for ventriloquists. He navigates them by substituting sounds—like a "D" or a soft "G"—that the human ear interprets as the real thing because of the melody.
It’s basically an acoustic illusion.
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How to Experience the Best of the Music
If you want to see the "essential" Terry Fator, you’ve gotta look for his AGT highlights or his DVD specials like Live from Las Vegas. But honestly, nothing beats the live room. The sound carries differently when you can see there’s no microphone near the puppet’s mouth.
If you're planning to catch a show soon, keep an eye out for his newer impressions. He’s been working in some David Bowie and even some newer pop stuff to keep the younger crowds engaged.
For those looking to dive deeper into the terry fator songs list, start with the "The Prayer" duet. It is the single best example of his range. Once you see him flip between a powerhouse male vocal and a delicate female vocal without a break, you’ll get why he’s a legend in the desert.
Go watch the 2007 AGT finale performance of "Crying." It’s the moment he won the million dollars, and it’s still one of the best vocal performances in reality TV history. After that, check out his "Encore" performances at his Vegas residency for the more modern, upbeat medleys.
The list is always growing because Terry is a student of music. He’s constantly adding new voices, which means the setlist you see today will likely look totally different in two years. That’s the sign of a real performer.