Supporting talent

Up until recently, the reality talent show "America's Got Talent" has been something of a guilty pleasure. Many of the initial acts were so poor the producers were clearly going for shock value to supplement the handful of truly gifted performers who would make their way through the season.

Now the show is shaping up, down to 40 contestants. Two of those contestants have Cape Girardeau ties. First there is Neal E. Boyd, a talented opera singer who hails from Sikeston, Mo., attended Southeast Missouri State University and has been dubbed "The Voice of Missouri." Then there is Matthew Piazzi, a multitalented performer who has entered "America's Got Talent" with his many impressions. Piazzi considers Cape Girardeau his second home; he visited friends and family many a summer as a child. His mother, Judith Farris, is Cape Girardeau born and raised and is a voice instructor at Southeast Missouri State University. So far, Southeast Missouri has not been forced to split votes. Boyd performed last week and did well with the judges gushing over his tenor pipes.

Piazzi, who hasn't had much face time on the show so far, will perform tonight. Be sure to cast your votes by watching the show for the toll free number and contestant number or by visiting the show's website www.nbc.com/Americas_Got_Talent. Each person can vote up to 10 times.