Singing despite the rain at Jackson Homecomers

The saying "the show must go on" proved true Friday night at the finals of the Jackson Homecomers talent show.

After a full day of rain left the outdoor stage too wet for performances, the junior division competitors had to move to the First Presbyterian Church nearby, where a small stage half as big as the outdoor version stood in for the real thing.

The church basement quickly filled with family members and costumed adolescents practicing dance moves.

Although the 6- to 12-year-olds competing in the junior division cannot advance to the Mid-South Fair talent competition like senior division competitors do, the Jackson event still has importance, said Marybeth Williams, the chairwoman of Homecomers entertainment committee.

"A lot of these kids go to big competitions, but this is their hometown," she said.

Walking away with first place in the junior division of the Homecomers talent show was Jackie Bader and Myriah Miller for their performance of "My Boyfriend's Back."

According to 11-year-old Miller of Scott City and 12-year-old Bader of Chaffee, roughly four months of practice helped them secure the top place finish.

"And attitude," Miller added.

Bader agreed.

By the time the senior division was ready to compete, the outdoor stage was dry and a good-sized crowd had gathered by the Jackson courthouse, many wearing jackets because of the cool evening weather.

The senior division competition, for people 13 to 21, opened up with a four-piece Christian band called the Farm Hands and continued with two dance acts and multiple singers who performed everything from country tunes to Broadway melodies and popular songs.

Acts continued performing as the night wore on and the lights from the rides and concession stands illuminated the sky.

In all 12 acts, the performers gave it their all. But the winner in the judges' eyes Friday was Jordan Cox, a 17-year-old Jackson High School senior.

"I was surprised," Cox said of his win. "I've done it the past four years and have never placed before."

Cox said he has performed a variety of songs for the talent show, but he tried for comedy this year with his performance of Ray Steven's "The Mississippi Squirrel Revival."

"I just had fun with it," he said.

The winner of the senior division automatically advances to the talent show at the Mid-South Fair in Memphis, Tenn., in September. But this year some other senior division competitors were chosen to attend as well.

In addition to Cox, the dance group J-Town Dancers, the Farm Hands, Adam Reinagel and Cathy Amos will be competing at the Mid-South Fair's talent competition.

kalfisi@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 182