emily.christensen@wcfcourier.com

and The Associated Press

CEDAR FALLS - The Texas Tenors, including University of Northern Iowa graduate John Hagen, were among the top five vote-getters on the America's Got Talent finale, but fell short of taking the grand prize.

The trio of crooners placed fourth among the top 10 performers, which also included a quintet of dancing sisters, trio of young singing siblings and comedian grandma.

In the end it was Kevin Skinner, a singing chicken farmer from Kentucky, who won the top prize of $1 million and the opportunity to headline a Las Vegas show.

As the Texas Tenors were leaving the stage, judge David Hasselhoff told them he wanted to "buy a ticket" to their show because he was certain they had a long future ahead. Earlier in the show judge Piers Morgan said at least eight of the remaining 10 acts could have taken the top honors on any other season of the show.

Hagen is a UNI music school graduate and accomplished tenor who maintains residences in New York and Waterloo. He and his partners, Marcus Collins and JC Fisher, formed the trio about three months ago.

The finale also featured performances by Rascal Flatts, Leona Lewis, winner of Britain's X Factor, Shakira and Susan Boyle.