Oh What a Beautiful Morning

The other day I had the privilege to be a “Celebrity Judge” for a talent show. The great thing about this is that this was a talent show for a senior citizen community. Now I’m not a celebrity by any means. I’m an actor in Houston, Texas. No actor who is working in Houston, Texas can really be considered a celebrity. No offense to Houston or any actors working in Houston but we all know it’s true.

To be honest I was worried that I would show up and I would be sitting on a panel next to people that were celebrities or at least somewhat deserved a “Celebrity Judge” title. My girlfriend asked if I would sit on the panel and of course I said yes because how many chances would I actually have be able to judge a senior talent show. I was relieved when I arrived to see that the other “celebrities” were like myself. We were all asked by family members and were happy that we were not sitting next to Carl Weathers, Doug  Flutie or Lance Bass.

The Community Room that the talent show took place in was packed with wrinkly faces. There was a buzz in the room. These little old ladies and old men were chatting it up with each other, eating cookies and drinking their coffee. Chairs were brought in from outside to accommodate the people that were still pouring in trying to find a seat. I imagine that this event was greatly looked forward to by the residents of this community. I took my seat on the panel and was a little excited myself to see what could even happen at a senior talent show.

When the judges were announced we were happy that who invited and our relationship to them was announced, not what we do. Then the first act was announced by the M.C. “And now Frank will be singing a song!” There was applause and a frail little old man began to make his way to the makeshift stage. He moved very slowly and it looked as if he needed a cane or a walker. Frank looked very serious. He seemed very concentrated on his steps and everyone of them was carefully calculated. The little old man was wearing a pair of Wranglers, a very old pair of brown cowboy boots, a huge gold belt buckle, a cowboy hat and a short black cowboy tie.  I already thought Frank should win, I mean he brought a costume. This guy was in it to win it.

Frank finally made it to the stage and grabbed the mic. His hands trembled terribly as he was attempting to hold the microphone to his face. Frank looked very tired, his eyes were bloodshot red. He cleared his throat and smiled big as he scanned the room. “When I was a young man I lived in Oklahoma,” Frank smiled and nodded to the pianist.

There’s a bright golden haze on the meadow,

There’s a bright golden haze on the meadow

The judge to the right of me handed me a slip of paper. Great, I thought, we’re going to hand notes to each other, mature. I unfolded the paper and it said: His wife died yesterday. I looked up from the note towards the other two judges who looked back at me with tears beginning to fill their eyes nodding to me. I looked at the M.C. who was clutching her heart and pursing her lips to keep from crying. I glanced at the audience, a sea of the elderly, all grinning and tearful watching their friend sing. Then I looked at Frank as he hit the chorus.

Oh, what a beautiful morning,

Oh, what a beautiful day,

I’ve got a wonderful feeling,

Everything’s going my way.

Frank was a champ. He was working the audience with his smile and nods, he delivered the joke in the song perfectly, he was simply brilliant. He completely meant what he was singing and was selling his song with a smile that told you he meant it and old weary eyes of wisdom.

All the sounds of the earth are like music,

All the sounds of the earth are like music,

The breeze is so busy it don’t miss a tree,

And an ol’ weepin’ willer is laughin’ at me.

Frank laughed as he went back into the chorus for the last time and people sang and hummed along. The song ended with uproarious applause. And Frank laughed and tipped his hat, “I’m 95 years old and I don’t sing like I used to. Thank you!”

Later after the show I shook his hand and congratulated him. Frank looked at me and with a wink said that he was losing his voice but thought he did a good job anyway. I agreed with him and told him thank you for the performance and to have a good evening. Frank smiled back and said that he would.