Danny Boy O'Connor and Zac Hanson judging new Oklahoma talent show 'The Big Show Off'

Before he got sober, Danny Boy O'Connor got as close as a person can get to homelessness without actually living on the streets.

"I was a drug addict for quite some time and ended up faux homeless. So, I never actually slept on the streets, but I was without a place to live. Somebody that I knew took pity on me and let me stay in their warehouse, which lasted about six to eight months of my life, living in a warehouse that had running water and a bathroom — but no shower — and a couch," O'Connor recalled.

"Unfortunately, my father was also an alcoholic and spent many years, on and off, homeless and then was murdered when I was 18. Someone decided it'd be a good idea to pour gasoline on him and light him on fire for the fun of it."

A founding member of 1990s hip-hop hitmakers House of Pain, O'Connor relocated from Los Angeles to Tulsa about five years ago and now is the founder and executive director of The Outsiders House Museum, a restored filming landmark for his favorite film, 1983's "The Outsiders."

"When I got here and I saw the cold winters and people experiencing homelessness downtown with no jackets, no blankets or whatever, it broke my heart. So, we did a couple of jacket drives when I first got here ... and we got over 350 jackets. I thought, 'Oh my goodness,' and my next problem was, 'What are we gonna do with the jackets?'" O'Connor recalled.

Someone suggested that he contact Monica Martin, development director of the Tulsa Day Center, a nonprofit organization serving those who are experiencing or at risk for experiencing homelessness.

"We were fast friends, and maybe a couple months ago, they said, 'Hey, we're doing a real big benefit, and we'd like your support. Would you be a judge at our talent show?' And I said, 'Absolutely,'" O'Connor told The Oklahoman.

O'Connor is serving on the three-judge panel for "The Big Show Off," a new talent event benefiting the Tulsa Day Center. The other judges are Zac Hanson, drummer and singer for the Grammy-nominated Tulsa pop-rock band Hanson, and Olivia Jordan, an actor, model and television host who was named Miss USA 2015.

What is 'The Big Show Off' and how can people enter?

Billed as "The Ultimate Oklahoma Talent Competition," the inaugural "The Big Show Off" is seeking uniquely talented contestants from across the Sooner State and the surrounding areas.

First prize in the contest is $10,000. The second-prize winner will receive $5,000.

Hopefuls are encouraged to submit audition videos that are no more than 90 seconds in length in which they demonstrate their talent. Audition videos can be submitted at https://www.thebigshowoff.org/submissions.html.

"It's not a battle of the bands, so if you're singer-songwriter, we want you. But we're also looking for anything from juggling a soccer ball to juggling chainsaws to anything you can imagine. You have a dog that can do a trick? Bring your dog down," O'Connor said.

The deadline to submit audition videos was originally set for 11:59 p.m. Oct. 15.

But organizers announced this week that the submission deadline has been extended to Nov. 10.

"We've been receiving great submissions from all over the country, and we want to keep that momentum going," Martin said.

Those selected to be semifinalists who submit their auditions by the original Oct. 15 deadline will be notified by Nov. 1 that they are eligible to compete in the live semifinals event Nov. 15 at Tulsa's legendary Cain's Ballroom.

Selected contestants who apply by the extended Nov. 10 deadline also will be notified before the Cain's Ballroom event.

Some participants from the semifinal event will be chosen to perform live on stage as finalists at "The Big Show Off" on Feb. 3 at Cox Business Convention Center in downtown Tulsa.

What does the Tulsa Day Center do?

All proceeds from "The Big Show Off" will benefit the Tulsa Day Center, a Tulsa Area United Way Partner Agency.

"We're trying to reach a younger crowd than at events we've had in the past. The Tulsa Day Center has been around 38 years, and a lot of people that started with us, unfortunately, are no longer with us," Martin said. "So, we need to mix up our events and find something a little different and ... reach new folks to learn more about the day center that's in their back yard in downtown Tulsa."

Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, the Tulsa Day Center offers a wide range of services to people coping with homelessness, from a shelter and a shower to clothing and medical care.

"A woman over 18 or a man over 55 can stay the night here when they're working with a case manager to try and get them housed. But during the day, anyone can walk through our doors, receive case management services, work with legal aid, get help getting an ID if they've lost it and work with our rapid rehousing case managers. If you're about to be evicted, we'll help work with your landlord to try and back pay your rent," Martin said.

"So, we are more than just a day shelter."

With all the Tulsa Day Center does for his adopted hometown, O'Connor said he's happy to be part of its new "The Big Show Off" fundraiser.

"As you may guess, they are up to their ears with people that are needing their services. ... They're doing all kinds of stuff over there for mental health and physical health and getting people into affordable housing, to job referrals and rides to the dentist," he said.

"I wish I knew about these things when I was going through what I was going through experiencing homelessness. I think it's a worthwhile cause."

'THE BIG SHOW-OFF'

Billed as "The Ultimate Oklahoma Talent Competition," the inaugural "The Big Show Off" is seeking uniquely talented contestants from across the Sooner State and the surrounding areas.

Hopefuls are encouraged to submit audition videos that are no more than 90 seconds in length in which they demonstrate their talent. Audition videos can be submitted at https://www.thebigshowoff.org/submissions.html.

The deadline to submit is 11:59 p.m. Oct. 15. Semifinalists will be notified by Nov. 1.

The live semifinal will be Nov. 15 at Tulsa's Cain's Ballroom. The live finals will be Feb. 3 at Cox Business Convention Center in downtown Tulsa.

"The Big Show Off" benefits the nonprofit Tulsa Day Center. For more information, go to https://www.thebigshowoff.org or https://tulsadaycenter.org/give-help/charitable-events.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: New Oklahoma talent contest 'The Big Show Off' is for a good cause