How Kip Tyner's Talent Search grew into a Tuscaloosa tradition

When Tuscaloosa's first Talent Search opened its stages for singers, dancers, actors, comics, musicians and more, Rick Astley had just rolled the world, nobody was putting Baby in a corner, Cher had tried to snap Nicholas Cage out of it, cool vampires were terrorizing the Coreys, Baby Jessica was rescued from a well, and 24-year-old Michael Jordan was bucketing 37.1 points per game for the Chicago Bulls.

Bud Light unleashed mascot Spuds Mackenzie, the Bangles were walking like Egyptians, George Michael was practicing "Faith" while Bon Jovi was "Livin' on a Prayer," and a yellow cartoon family named Simpson had just squiggled to life as short animations on "The Tracey Ullman Show."

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Also from 1987: The boxing champ who'd unified the heavyweight crown for the first time since 1978 inspired Nintendo game "Mike Tyson's Punch Out." Aretha Franklin became the first woman elected to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, created just the previous year; U2 released "Joshua Tree," and Guns N' Roses cut "Appetite for Destruction." River Phoenix and Michael J. Fox were teen idols, and Harry Hamlin was People's "Sexist Man Alive."

The world population had soared to five billion, an energy drink named Red Bull debuted in Austria, and cellphone bricks cost 50 cents a minute to use, in addition to monthly charges of $100 to $!50.

In Tuscaloosa, long-running musical SummerShow had stalled in 1986, though it would later be revived by Tuscaloosa Community Players, which was morphing into Theatre Tuscaloosa. For singer-performers such as Kip Tyner, the idea of Talent Show provided an outlet to ease summertime blues.

"I vividly remember it was a complete sellout, including the balcony at the Bama (Theatre)," said Tyner, who's hosted and run the show for many years. It was created by the late Doris Leapard, an artist, patron and businessperson, and was originally a fund-raiser for PRIDE (Parents' Resource Institute for Drug Education) of Tuscaloosa. She contacted Tyner, then weatherman for Channel 33, and a regular performer with SummerShow and other theatrical companies, to help make the show sing.

"I remember it was over four hours long, because there were no time limits," Tyner said. The blend of talents was also unusual, he said, ballet with hip-hop, classical and urban. It was comedian Steve Brown's first performance before a mostly white audience; Brown won his category, and has since gone on to a successful career.

They made a few tweaks to tighten, but otherwise took Bert Lance's advice from a decade before: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." Now in its 35th incarnation, Tyner's Talent Search l acts much as in the beginning: Auditions are open to practically any type or genre of talent, any age, and always free. The finals will again be judged by professionals through long-held connections with Disney. Cash prizes will be given, and proceeds will be donated to charity.

"We're at 35 years of Talent Search," said Tyner, president of the Tuscaloosa City Council, and still hosting his TV show "Great Day Tuscaloosa," which airs on Comcast Channel 21 and DirectTV Channel 23.

"It would have been 37, but for cancer and COVID," he said, having to take time off in 2013 for his health issues, and in 2020 for the world's pandemic. And last year, with the Bama Theatre finalizing renovations, the Talent Search couldn't play in its long-time home.

"But we're back there now, and we're just thrilled," he said. Finals will begin at 6 p.m. Saturday in the downtown Bama, which re-opened at 600 Greensboro Ave. last fall with new seating, carpeting, lights and more. Tickets will remain $19 as they have for years.

Pre-auditions, Tyner gets butterflies.

"I always get sick fo my stomach this time of year wondering if anybody's going to show up," he said.

Numerous categories are open; some don't always fill. Other times, the miscellaneous spot takes up the most space. Among the Talent Search possibilities: Male and Female Vocalist, Teen Vocalist, Country Music, Gospel Music, Vocal Group/Duo, Comedy, Cheerleaders, Dance Lines, Dance, Magic Acts, Drama, Fiddlers, Jugglers, Wheel Sports, Drum Line, Clogging, Ventriloquists, Juggling and more.

Some Tuscaloosans who got their first stage performances on Talent Search have gone on to pro careers, including Stephen Williams, a film and theater actor who's been star of a Spike Lee film, and worked with Tom Hanks in that legend's only Broadway show; Jake Boyd, who's performed numerous national tours, TV spots and more; comedian Brown; and upcoming singer Nimiwari Ighofose, among others.

Many who compete, and have won, have been younger, but Tyner said "It's not just for kids; it's everybody."

"I want people like me, who used to perform but maybe haven't had a chance in a while," he said "We've got old bands reuniting. There's a mother of two who's coming back for the first time since her children were born."

At the finals this year, there will be everything from an African-American youth choir to a step team to a baton twirler who dances on stilts.

Talent Search began as a charitable function, and still is, having raised more than $250,000 over its decades. This year's benefits Eagles Wings, which serves adults with developmental disabilities.

More than $5,000 in prize money will be awarded by judges associated with Disney, including Kevin Brassard, who took on the whip, jacket and hat as star of the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular at Walt Disney World more than 30 years ago; with Andrea Canny, who originated Belle in the live "Beauty and the Beast" at Disney World, and sang the role of Sleeping Beauty on the 10-year anniversary CD of musical "Disenchanted," among many other roles; and Mary Jayne Waddell, who's starred in national tours of "Mamma Mia!" and "Les Miserables," and many more.

"(Brassard) got flown to meet Harrison Ford at the 'Dial of Destiny' premiere," Tyner said. He's still with the stunt show, though now playing the role of the director. "We've got really new judging blood; that really makes it exciting."

For more, call or text Kip at 205-394-8375, or 205-553-0589, or email ktyner@tuscaloosa.com.

Reach Mark Hughes Cobb at mark.cobb@tuscaloosanews.com.

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Kip Tyner's Talent Search marks 35 years of singing, dancing and more