NYC subway musician hopes to strike a chord on 'American Idol'
Share and Follow

He’s on an express train to stardom.

A self-taught, autistic subway musician from Queens is getting his shot at the big stage on the newest season of “American Idol.”

Shane Dan Turner is a familiar face in New York City subway stations, where he captivates commuters with his renditions of timeless hits like The Beatles’ “You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away” and Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Have You Ever Seen the Rain?” His performances often take place during rush hour, as he stands out in his black blazer.

Turner, now 29, found solace in music during challenging times in his life. At the age of 13, while in a Brooklyn foster home, he taught himself how to play the guitar. His subway performances began at the age of 16, following his family’s displacement during Hurricane Sandy.

“I fell in love with it, and I’ve been doing it ever since,” he told The Post.

Having grown up in Far Rockaway in an Orthodox Jewish household, Turner faced adversity but was surrounded by a deep appreciation for music. Despite facing financial struggles, his family’s resourcefulness and the kindness of neighbors who extended power cords to their home during electricity cuts left a lasting impact on him.

His grandfather, a cantor in a synagogue, would sing opera to him as a baby. And his father, a guitarist for more than 40 years, introduced him to AC/DC, Led Zeppelin and The Beatles, who he lists among his many influences.

At 7 years old, Turner jumped on stage at his uncle’s wedding to sing a Hebrew song for the crowd, and at 10, he auditioned and was accepted into the popular Yeshiva Boys Choir, which he performed with for three years.

Since then, Turner has written about 50 original songs and learned hundreds of others, which he performs at events, open mics and venues.

“Over the years, I built up a repertoire of over 500 cover songs … I’m basically like a living jukebox,” he said.

From his start on the B and Q lines in Brooklyn, he now performs across the city, including at Columbus Circle and Union Square and in the Rockefeller Center station.

But busking has been taxing — and dangerous.

In January, three teens tried to steal Turner’s tips, and he had to wrestle a $20 bill from one who snatched it out of his jar.

Turner makes anywhere from $50 to $200 a day performing. But making ends meet is hard. There are days where he worked 12 hour shifts underground and survived on Red Bull and dollar pizza slices. He even lived in his car for a short time.

But Turner is familiar with struggle and knew he had to keep going.

“I had to keep fighting for what I loved,” he said.

Over the summer, he decided to apply for “American Idol,” and quickly found out he was one of the lucky hundreds out of tens of thousands of applicants that would perform in front of the judges.

“I was just so thrilled to be able to audition in front of Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood and Luke Bryan,” he said. “They are just icons in their field. The fact that I got to perform in front of them was amazing.”

The world won’t find out the results of Turner’s audition until the first episode of season 23 of ABC’s singing competition show airs Sunday at 8 p.m. but he looks forward to tuning in with friends.

“I’m hoping that the audition leads me to become a success as a musician, I’m hoping that I can release albums, I’m hoping I can go on tour,” Turner said.

“I’m hoping I can get paid to do that.”

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Evanston protest today: Police investigating after feds arrest 3 US citizens during immigration op at Asbury, Oakton, mayor says

Evanston Erupts: Community Protests as Federal Immigration Operation Leads to Arrest of Three U.S. Citizens

In Evanston, Illinois, concerns have been raised by both religious and political…
‘It’s scary’: SNAP recipients brace for fallout as benefits vanish during shutdown

SNAP Recipients Face Uncertainty as Benefits Disappear Amid Government Shutdown

SPRINGFIELD, IL – As the federal government shutdown stretches into its second…
FILE - Former Kentucky Gov. Martha Layne Collins is consoled after Kentucky Democratic Senate Alison Grimes gave her concession speech, Tuesday Nov. 4, 2014 in Lexington, Ky. (AP Photo/ John Flavell, File)

Trailblazing Kentucky Governor Martha Layne Collins Passes Away at 88

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Martha Layne Collins, the trailblazing first female governor…
First Coast surfing legend, Biddy Hunter, dies at age 77

Celebrated First Coast Surfing Icon Biddy Hunter Passes Away at 77

Dennis “Biddy” Hunter, a prominent figure in the surfing community, brought international…
2 new suspects handed preliminary charges in Louvre jewels heist case, Paris prosecutor says

Paris Prosecutor Announces Preliminary Charges for Two New Suspects in Louvre Jewel Heist Case

PARIS (AP) — On Saturday, the Paris prosecutor announced that two additional…
Rubio slams Hamas after video shows suspected operatives looting Gaza aid truck: ‘They’re the impediment'

Senator Rubio Condemns Hamas: Calls Out Looting of Gaza Aid Trucks as Major Obstacle

On Saturday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned Hamas following the release…
'South Park' mocks Pam Bondi as Trump ‘brown-noser’

South Park Takes Aim: Pam Bondi Dubbed Trump’s ‘Brown-Noser’ in Latest Satirical Episode

In a recent episode of “South Park,” the long-running satirical series took…
Louvre jewels heist: Two new suspects handed preliminary charges, Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau says

New Developments in Louvre Jewel Heist: Paris Prosecutor Charges Two Additional Suspects

PARIS — In an intriguing twist to the ongoing investigation into the…