KRCC accepting video auditions of all talents for telethon

Christy O'Neal, marketing and development director for Kenny Rogers children's Center, watches a video audition of Kenny Rogers impersonator submitted for the inaugural Telethon's Got Talent Competition. Auditions for the upcoming competition are currently being accepted via online video submissions only now through Feb. 16. (Leonna Heuring, Staff)

SIKESTON -- The Kenny Rogers Children's Center is changing up the format for entertainment at this year's telethon.

The inaugural Telethon's Got Talent Competition will premiere live during the Center's 36th annual telethon March 19 at the Sikeston Field House. Finalists will compete to win a grand prize of $1,000.

"We've had the Telethon Idol for the past 10 years or so and this year we decided to replace it with the talent competition," said Christy O'Neal, marketing and development director for Kenny Rogers Children's Center.

Every year the Center receives inquiries from people who want to offer some other talent than singing, but the performances didn't fit into the singing-only competition format -- until now, O'Neal said.

"We felt it was time to switch things up," O'Neal said. "The competition is open to anybody and everybody and we're really hoping to see some of the different talent we have in the area."

The audition process has also changed significantly this year: video format is the only acceptable entry, she said.

For the complete story, see the Wednesday edition of the Standard Democrat.