Sixth Annual Seniors Got Talent Wows Crowd, Raises Nearly $34K

Judy Street and Jim Kirby, a singing and piano duo, took home the $1,000 grand prize at Morning Pointe Foundation’s sixth annual Seniors Got Talent showcase at the Franklin Theatre.

75-year-old Street and 69-year-old Kirby won with their medley of “My Man” and “Pretty Woman,” while married dancers Bobby and Karen Leib, ages 61 and 64 respectively, won the $500 second-place prize for their performance to “Kiss Goodbye All Night.”

“We worked really hard at it,” said Street, who returned after earning second place last year. “We are older seniors who have put in the time to learn our craft, and to be able to show that gift that we have is such a blessing for us.”

78-year-old singer Paula Chavis won the $250 third-place prize with her performance of “I Will Survive,” while 75-year-old singer Bill Schneider won the People's Choice Award for his performance of “Statue of a Fool.”

“What an incredible evening of memorable performances,” Greg A. Vital, Morning Pointe Senior Living co-founder and president, said in a news release.

“These seniors truly blew me away, and every year, it just gets better and better. The beauty of Seniors Got Talent is that it really shows the value of what our seniors still have to bring to the arts.”

The sold-out show raised nearly $34,000 for Morning Pointe Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Morning Pointe Senior Living.

“Franklin continues to impress with the talent and enthusiasm, and I don’t think there was a single person who came to the show who wasn’t inspired in some way,” Morning Pointe Foundation Executive Director Miranda Perez said.

“Not only did the contestants have a chance to shine, but the funds raised will go to give students a chance to shine too.”

Morning Pointe Foundation also sponsors Seniors Got Talent competitions in Chattanooga, Knoxville, and Lexington, Kentucky.