Rio Vista High School graduate Will Salinas performs during JumpStart Live, a fundraiser for the nonprofit Johnson County JumpStart.
Madison Grant is a Joshua High School senior.
Cleburne High School junior Nevaeha Wilson sings “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.”
The winners of Johnson County’s Got Talent competition performed for JumpStart Live Thursday night. From left are Nevaeha Wilson, Madison Gratn and Will Salinas.
The winners of Johnson County’s Got Talent competition performed for JumpStart Live Thursday night. From left are Nevaeha Wilson, Madison Gratn and Will Salinas.
Thursday night afforded three local students opportunity to showcase their musical talents in downtown Cleburne.
“I love music and these kids were just incredible tonight,” Cleburne banker Guy James said. “They’re all three going to go far.”
Cleburne Chamber of Commerce President Tracy Thomas and Johnson County Commissioner Larry Woolley agreed and quipped how exciting it was to see three young area performers who might just make it big in the near future.
The three — Joshua High School senior Madison Grant, Rio Vista High School graduate Will Salinas and Cleburne High School junior Nevaeha Wilson — performed individual 30 minute sets at Songbird Live.
All three competed against students from other area high schools earlier this year in JumpStart’s inaugural Johnson County’s Got Talent competition and went on to receive scholarship awards. In that talent show, Wilson finished first, Grant second and Salinas third.
“The three of them were so good February’s talent show but only got to sing a couple of songs each,” JumpStart organizer Gary Dollgener said. “So, we decided to put this Songbird show together to give each of them the chance to perform a little bit longer set.”
JumpStart, a local nonprofit, awards dual-credit scholarship funds to high school students throughout Johnson County wishing to take dual-credit courses at Hill College.
The goal, Dollgener said, is to supply dual-credit scholarships for as many Johnson County high school students as possible. That, of course, depends upon donations and funds available to supply the scholarships.
Salinas, guitar in hand, took the stage first to kick things off with three country covers before closing with three of his original songs.
“I’ve found that I’m better at expressing myself through writing music than I am at talking,” Salinas said. “I started writing seriously about five months ago and inspiration has been just through the roof lately.”
Rio Vista High School graduate Will Salinas performs during JumpStart Live, a fundraiser for the nonprofit Johnson County JumpStart.
“Empty Roads, Fading Lights,” the first song Salinas said he wrote, permeated poignant heartache over love lost with lyrics reminiscent of early ‘80s John Cougar Mellencamp or Springsteen.
“The radio’s playing our song but it don’t sound quite the same,” Salinas sang. “Wonder if you’re missing me or if you’re moving on.”
Salinas, who plans to pursue a career in law enforcement, said he also intends to keep singing, playing and writing.
Grant channeled Marilyn Monroe while opening with “Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend” followed by country and pop covers before wrapping with a cover of 4 Non Blonde’s “What’s Up” by way of Lainey Wilson’s remake of the same. Bobbing heads and tapping feet infected much of Songbird’s audience throughout Grant’s closer.
Cleburne ISD Director of Fine Arts, Estelle Murr, who served as the night’s emcee, detailed Grant’s participation in choir and acapella throughout her schooling as well as her acting and singing in several plays. Grant plans to attend Tarleton to study nursing.
Madison Grant is a Joshua High School senior.
“Undecided,” Grant said of her future musical ambitions. “I’ll definitely keep doing it as a hobby if nothing else. I’ve been singing since I could talk so I can’t just stop.”
James credited Grant’s appearance to serendipity.
“We wanted someone from all the county high schools for February’s talent show but didn’t have anyone from Joshua,” James said. “Then I happened to see her singing “The Star Spangled Banner” at the Johnson County Livestock Sale. I said, ‘We need her.’ So, she came into the talent show kind of last minute then ended up finishing second place.”
For Grant, Thursday’s JumpStart Live at Songbird proved a night to remember.
“I don’t usually get the chance to sing this many songs by myself so tonight was just such a great opportunity,” Grant said.
Wilson’s play and musical accomplishments at Plaza Theatre Co. and CISD run long, Murr said.
“She has performance experience in local, national and televised events both as a soloist and musical theater performer,” Murr said. “She’s shared the stage with gospel, opera and Broadway professionals. She was named Texas Young Master for the 2024-25 Class by the Texas Commission on the Arts and Cultural Trust and last year selected as a Main Stage peformer and national qualifier at the Texas Thespian Festival.”
Wilson has also participated in Disney and iTheatrics projects in Atlanta.
Wilson scanned the audience and smiled before belting right into “At Last” Etta James style. Not taking her foot off the pedal, she seamlessly transitioned into her take on Nina Simone’s “Feeling Good.”
Plaza Theatre member Parker Barrus deftly accompanied Wilson on guitar during her final two songs.
Cleburne High School junior Nevaeha Wilson sings “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.”
Wilson closed her set, and the night’s performance, by delivering Eva Cassidy’s soaring, emotional version of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” which concluded to boisterous applause and several teary eyed audience members.
“It’s so amazing,” Wilson said afterward of her first Songbird performance. “I feel truly blessed to have such a supportive and strong community to help uplift me and help me reach the goals I have for my life.
“I’ve always loved to sing and perform and be able to share what God has blessed me with and to do that tonight in Cleburne was just truly special.”
Dollgener called the night a success and the beginning of something special.
“Everyone loved the three performers tonight,” Dollgener said. “Just like we’re going to have the talent show every year I think we also need to do this JumpStart at Songbird every year for the top three winners and make this an annual event.”
For information on donating to or volunteering with JumpStart, visit jumpstartjohnsoncounty.com or call 817-944-4203.
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