“He gave such a great performance, especially for being only 13,” said Carla Miller, mall director of marketing and business development.
Second place went to the bluesy ensemble Back Alley Blues, which won a $500 gift certificate and gift basket of items donated by mall stores.
“(The competition) really couldn’t have been done without all the stores in the mall and their cooperation and contributions,” Miller said.
Another 13-year-old took third. That was the talented pianist Hayden Jackson. He won a $300 gift certificate and gift basket.
Miller said up to 3,000 people came to the mall to see the 39 finalists perform Saturday. R&B singer Vaughn Anthony — brother of performer John Legend and rising star in his own right — opened the show.
In fourth and fifth place was the Jericho Hip-Hop Dance Team and the Real World Band, respectively.
The 84 contestants in the event set a new record, Miller said, and the event found exactly what it was looking for.
“Springfield really does have talent,” she said. “It’s amazing what we have here.”
Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0374 or jsweigart@coxohio.com.
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