Victor Hudson has many roles: boat-builder, father, husband, storyteller. Put him under the big lights and a guitar in his hands, however, and the musician is unleashed.

A local favorite, Hudson has been performing his brand of country/Americana live in eastern North Carolina since the late 1980s, but recently, a shot at stardom took Hudson to Charlotte and an audition for NBC’s reality show “America’s Got Talent.”

At 10 a.m. Feb. 3, Hudson arrived at the Charlotte Convention Center to a line of people — “reaching for their stars” — already two city blocks long. Within moments, he said, that line became hundreds of people longer.

“What surprised me was how many types of talented people were in line,” he said. “It wasn’t specific to musicians.”

Hudson described the broad range of talent waiting to perform: contortionists, break-dancers, plate-spinners, Elvis impersonators and one proud owner of a Vietnamese potbelly pig dressed in a tutu, all of which were given numbers and a 12-page contract, then stowed in waiting rooms.

Hudson said the general feel of the audition was one of camaraderie underscored by competition, but, for the most part, the contenders were “just hanging out, doing their thing.”

Most of the performers auditioned in groups of six, but by a fluke in numbers, Hudson had the judges to himself — in a cavernous room with two large spotlights, an X marking the spot on which to stand, a videographer and two judges sitting 30 feet away.

“I’ve been doing this a long time,” he said of performing in the spotlight. “I can’t afford to get intimidated. But I had to really work to keep my cool.”

For two minutes and 20 seconds, he sang Toby Keith’s “How Do You Like Me Now?” though the audition time was stated as being limited to 90 seconds. Hudson felt that the additional time he was allowed could be cause for hope that he’ll receive a callback in two weeks, once the show’s producers have viewed the thousands of audition videos.

Hudson has capitalized on the increasing popularity of country music for the past three decades, explaining that the genre suits not just his singing and playing style, but his musical tastes.

“My accent and voice is such that even if I wanted to be a rock star, I couldn’t do it,” laughed Hudson.

Hudson cut his teeth on Garth Brooks and David Allen Coe covers, has fronted bands, played solo and performed with one or two other musicians.

This summer, Hudson likely will be found at another local favorite, Backwater Jack’s restaurant, bar and music venue, playing in his latest incarnation: Victor Hudson and 13, a musician who plays 13 instruments. Or, if Hudson receives one of the “America’s Got Talent” callbacks, he just might be found on NBC instead.