Three-piece band Pistol Creek Catch of the Day took home the $1,000 grand prize on Tuesday night, Nov. 12, at the end of the Morning Pointe Foundation’s 4th Annual Seniors Got Talent show at the Bijou Theatre in Knoxville. The show had a record attendance of 450.
The musical trio, ages 65-70, took top honors with their dynamic performance of “Hot Rod Lincoln.” Members are Edward Harper, Bill Cabage, and Carl Gombert.
“Playing on the Bijou stage was really a special treat,” said Gombert. “I have seen some of my favorite musicians here, and to be on the same stage was a bucket lister right there, a dream come true.”
Pistol Creek Catch of the Day started as a throw-together group about 20 years ago, and their name pays homage to Pistol Creek in Maryville, where they all live. They have played at fundraisers, private parties, corporate events, small festivals, and the WDVX Blue Plate Special. They play a range of music from the 1920s to the 1970s, including old-school rock ‘n’ roll, swing, folk, Americana and more.
Seniors Got Talent was produced by the Morning Pointe Foundation in partnership with Morning Pointe Senior Living. Judges also determined second- and third-place winners.
Second place went to 61-year-old tap dancer Kim Clemmer, for her lively dance to “It Don’t Mean a Thing If It Ain’t Got That Swing.” She won the $500 prize.
Clemmer has been tap dancing for 55 years, starting ballet as a child and then discovering a love for tap jazz and modern dance. As the wife of a U.S. Marine, she has tapped her way along with her sweetheart, working over the years as a teacher’s assistant, office administrator, dental assistant and endodontic assistant.
Third place went to 73-year-old singer/songwriter/guitarist Will Kruger, who impressed the judges with his original song, “Life in Tennessee.” He won $250.
Kruger has done tribute artist work, showcasing John Denver, James Taylor, Gordon Lightfoot, and Paul Simon. He also tours with Peter, Paul, and Mary Alive. He has also had original songs featured in two motion pictures, “God, Where Are You?” and “Grace of the Father.”
The coveted ETPS People’s Choice Award went to a dancing duo, 63-year-old Michael Mills and 66-year-old Christine Judkins, for their lithe performance to “Treat Her Like a Lady” by the Temptations. Audience members made their voices heard at $1 per vote, with proceeds going to the Morning Pointe Foundation.
Michael and Christy met three years ago while out dancing to live music. They discovered they both have a passion for dancing and have been friends ever since.
“What an incredible evening of memorable performances!” said Greg A. Vital, co-founder and president of Morning Pointe Senior Living. “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 Knoxville show brought in more than $40,000 for the Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Morning Pointe Senior Living The 501(c)3 nonprofit public service organization was created in 2014 to provide caregiver support programs, sponsor educational awareness events, and fund clinical scholarships to advance the care of seniors throughout the Southeast. Seniors Got Talent shows specifically raise funds for clinical and other scholarships for deserving students at partner schools, including Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) in Jacksboro, Pellissippi State Community College, Roane State Community College and Walters State Community College.
“Kudos to Knoxville for really bringing it this year,” said Miranda Perez, Morning Pointe Foundation executive director. “Our contestants, and audience, really had a great time, and not only did the performers have a chance to shine, but the funds raised will go to give students a chance to shine too.”
Founded in 1997 by Greg A. Vital and J. Franklin Farrow, Morning Pointe Senior Living owns and operates 40 assisted living and Alzheimer’s memory care communities in five southeastern states. East Tennessee communities include campuses in Knoxville, Hardin Valley, Clinton, Powell, and Lenoir City. Morning Pointe plans to open a new memory care community in Knoxville in early 2025: The Lantern at Morning Pointe Alzheimer’s Center of Excellence, Hardin Valley. The community will add early memory care to the services on the campus.
ETPS – a Guardian Pharmacy was the presenting sponsor again this year. Other sponsors included Propel Insurance, First Horizon Bank, Yardi, HealthPRO Heritage, MedForce Staffing Professionals, Life Care Center of Blount County, Clinch River Home Healthcare, Alzheimer’s Tennessee, LifeLoop, APHIX Lawn Service, Amada Senior Care, Chick-fil-A at Turkey Creek, Shalom Hospice, White Chapel, Hope Springs Adult Day Care Center, Care Around the Block, Caring Senior Move, Iron Rock Life & Safety, HouseCall Primary Care, Volunteer Hearing, Gentiva Hospice, Mobile Imaging, Supreme Restaurant Equipment and Gouffon Moving and Storage Co.
Ted Hall, evening anchor and managing editor for WVLT-TV Channel 8, was the emcee for the show for the third year. Judges were Nathan McGhee, general manager of the Bijou Theatre; Cecilia Wright, board-certified music therapist, educator and musician; Erin Donovan, actor and voice-over artist; and Drey Herron, professional performer, teacher, choreographer and director.
The Morning Pointe Foundation hosts four Seniors Got Talent shows each year. Besides Knoxville, shows are held in Chattanooga and Franklin, Tennessee, as well as Lexington, Kentucky.
