Written by
Beth Farrar, SMT Writer
Poplar Bluff, Missouri - Fifty singers, musicians, dancers, and uniquely talented individuals will battle for a shot at $1,000 cash on Saturday, April 6, as the first live shows for Show Me Whatcha Got kick off at 12 p.m. The talent competition will host three live performances in the Tinnin Fine Arts Center in Poplar Bluff, to determine which contestants get a chance at the Challenge Round and a chance to be in the Final 12, and who gets to go home to practice for next year’s show. All three live shows will be free to the public.
All 50 competitors have passed through the first round of auditions, submitted via video or recorded live by the Show Me Whatcha Got crew. Now the contestants get to test their skills in front of a live audience, as well as the full panel of judges. While many of the hopefuls are musicians, competitors include dancers, a stage magician, a stand-up comedian, and a praise leader. While the judges are excited about the diversity in acts, they also say that they’re not going to pull any punches in their critiques because an act is non-traditional.
“It’s great that we’ve got a wide and eclectic range of performers, it was definitely one of the things we were looking for when we started Season Two—something more than the usual song-and-guitar band,” said Mitch Davis, the show’s creator and a member of the judging panel. “But at the same time, we’ve got some really great musicians this year. Everyone’s got to step up and show us their best stuff, because I’m going to call it like I see it.”
Contestants who get a majority of “yes” votes from the judging panel will move on to the closed-door Challenge Round, where the remaining acts will get pared down to the Final 12. Those who survive the culling will be assured a shot at the $1,000 grand prize—but will have to impress not only the judges, but the live audience, whose votes control who wins, and who leaves the stage empty-handed.
“We got a lot of great feedback from our audience last year, and they really loved having a part in deciding the grand prize winner,” said Abby Eaker, the show’s executive producer. “So this year, the audience vote will be 100% what determines the winner. The judges will get to comment on performances, but in the end, it’s up to Southeast Missouri to decide who the most talented person in their region is.”
New to the show are Leeza Edmundson and Adam Davis, replacing two members of last year’s judging panel. Show creator Mitch Davis is returning his unique brand of critique to the audition process, alongside Poplar Bluff native Tabitha Pierce, also a veteran of last year’s show. Also returning is host Zach McAnulty.
“I’m really looking forward to seeing the performers in action. We’ve got so many acts this year! I can’t believe it,” said Pierce. “It’s going to be a lot of hard work—they have us preparing for the shows the full two weeks before they start—but it’s going to be great once we get behind the desk and see these contestants.”
The live shows on April 6 are free to the general public, and will be held at noon, 3, and 6 p.m. at the Tinnin Fine Arts Center in Poplar Bluff. Tickets to the June 1 finale show will go on sale the same day, and will be $7 per person. Only 200 of 520 tickets will go on sale that day. The remaining tickets will go on sale the night of the finale, and be $10 per person. For more information on Show Me Whatcha Got, visit facebook.com/showmewhatchagot, email smwgtalent@gmail.com, or call 573-300-1412.
