Performers with decades of experience, lifelong passions and community connections will take the Bijou Theatre stage Nov. 10.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (November 3, 2026) — Some have spent decades performing, others have found ways to share their talents with their communities, and a few are returning to passions they first discovered years ago. On Tuesday, Nov. 10, 12 performers ages 60 and older will bring those experiences to the stage for the eighth annual Morning Pointe Seniors Got Talent Knoxville finals at the historic Bijou Theatre.
Among this year’s contestants is Mark Walker, 62, whose dance journey began in 1982. Over the years, he continued training in Tennessee, Georgia and Florida and even performed with the Atlanta Silver Classix Crew during Atlanta Hawks basketball games.
Now back in Tennessee, Walker is preparing to perform to “It’s No Crime” by Babyface, the same song he used in a dance competition 36 years ago.
For Walker, performing remains a source of excitement, energy and happiness. His return to the stage is one of many personal stories represented in this year’s competition.
The Mt. LeConte Jug Band brings a different kind of history to the lineup. The four-member group, whose members range in age from 70 to 78, first came together more than 20 years ago while playing music for hikers at LeConte Lodge in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Today, David Howard, Jim Radle, John Nabors and Chris Hill perform throughout East Tennessee, sharing their love of classic Americana music. About half of their performances are offered in support of local charities or at nursing homes and assisted living communities.
The group enjoys seeing audiences sing along to familiar songs, bringing music to people who may have grown up listening to the same tunes.
Another longtime performer, Knoxville resident Lillie Madison, 84, has been singing since childhood, beginning in church before continuing to perform in Tennessee and Texas. During her years in Texas, Madison earned the title of Mrs. Texas Senior Queen, which gave her the opportunity to compete in the Mrs. Senior America pageant in Atlantic City, where she placed second runner-up.
After a lifetime of singing, Madison says one of her favorite parts of performing is seeing the audience’s expressions and reactions as she shares a song.
Together, these contestants represent the range of experiences and passions coming to the Bijou stage. Their stories are part of what makes Seniors Got Talent more than a traditional talent competition, offering audiences an opportunity to see the creativity, experience and personality older adults continue to bring to their communities.
The competition is presented by the Morning Pointe Foundation in partnership with Morning Pointe Senior Living. The Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides scholarships for students pursuing careers in nursing, therapy, culinary arts and social work, along with caregiver education.
The Foundation supports educational opportunities through partnerships with schools in the Knoxville and surrounding East Tennessee region, including Pellissippi State Community College, Roane State Community College, Walters State Community College, Tennessee College of Applied Technology–Knoxville, Tennessee College of Applied Technology–Jacksboro, Tusculum University and Tennessee Wesleyan University. These partnerships help prepare students for careers that contribute to the care and well-being of older adults.
Event Details
What: Eighth Annual Morning Pointe Seniors Got Talent Knoxville Finals
When: Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2026, at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Bijou Theatre, 803 S. Gay St., Knoxville, TN 37902
Tickets: https://knoxbijou.org/bijou-events/6th-annual-morning-pointe-foundation-seniors-got-talent/
For more information, visit https://morningpointefoundation.com/events/seniors-got-talent/.
About Morning Pointe Senior Living
Morning Pointe Senior Living, headquartered in Ooltewah, Tennessee, was founded in 1997 by healthcare entrepreneurs Greg A. Vital and J. Franklin Farrow, Morning Pointe Senior Living operates assisted living and Alzheimer’s memory care communities in four southeastern states, including GA, IN, KY & TN. For more information, visit morningpointe.com.
The philanthropic arm of Morning Pointe Senior Living is the Morning Pointe Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to provide clinical scholarships and caregiver support.
