Saturday’s Alabama Has Talent competition brought out a great crowd, who were treated to 14 acts, one of which was treated to the $1,000 prize. Split River, a band of four teenagers, was the winner.

The group was a little surprised when they heard their name announced.

“I figured we had a shot, but all that competition was very diverse,” said drummer Troy Kelley. “They were all awesome.”

Jack Butler, vocalist and guitarist, agreed.

“I remember seeing the first act and Elvis, we were all like, ‘there’s no way we’re winning this.’ I couldn’t believe we got our name called. It was a huge shock.”

The group did a “Sweet Home Alabama” and “Sultans of Swing” medley.

“It’s been an experience just doing what we love,” said vocalist and guitarist Cruise Johnson. “I don’t even call it a job. We enjoy it that much. Hopefully, we can continue it for many more years.”

The band has been working together for about five months and have gained immediate popularity in the Lake Martin area. One of the regular gatherings has been a weekly “Music Night” at the home of Donavan Aldridge, the bass player.

“It’s every Wednesday night,” Aldridge said. “We’ll have anywhere from three to ten musicians. It’s fun.”

The name Split River came from the ties between bandmates on both sides of the Tallapoosa River. Johnson is a Reeltown graduate, who will be attending Auburn University this fall. Butler and Kelley are seniors this year at Tallassee High School. Aldridge is a junior at Elmore County High School.

“We’re going to be playing a lot more shows here in the fall,” Johnson added. “We’re taking a little bit of a hiatus with the new school year.”

Alabama Has Talent event coordinator Veronica Harris was pleased with the first of hopefully many more shows to come.

“It was amazing,” she said. “The talent was unbelievable. The turnout was amazing. The vendors were generous. The art of community was on display at Mount Vernon. I hope next year that everyone will turn out because everyone that came seemed to have a good time.”