Springfield Standard

The finalists for the second Great Route 66 Talent Search have been named and are expected to perform at a show beginning at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 10, at the Historic Shrine Mosque (601 E. St. Louis) during the Birthplace of Route 66 Festival in Springfield. The show will commence with a performance by Jessie Cowen and 417 Aerial.

The top two winners of Saturday’s finals in the amateur and professional categories will receive a front-of-the-line pass to appear via video audition for NBC’s America’s Got Talent (AGT). Last year’s winners, Brecka Henderson and Vic Vaughan, have yet to schedule their auditions, but AGT producers are in contact with festival organizers. The television show airs during the summer, with auditions held across the country. According to event organizer Cora Scott, the Birthplace of Route 66 Festival is the first location from which AGT accepts pre-screened contestants. “That speaks to the level of talent they know we have in the Ozarks,” Scott said.

The Top 10 finalists include:

In the amateur division:

- Solpneuma Horton, singer

- Amber Nelson, singer

- Destin Snape, singer

- Angel Sterkel, singer

- Anastasia Vang, singer

In the professional division:

- Anna Belle, singer/pianist

- Luke Cooksey, pianist

- Dakota Hale, singer

- Isabella Love, singer

- Gary Turner, singer

For more information, contact Cora Scott at 417-380-3352 or [email protected].