At 72, Florida-based (and Rochester, NY-raised) songwriter Jerry Falzone has decades of musical experience behind him, but his journey proves that great songs—and great growth—can come at any stage in life.

His Talent Is Timeless winning song, I Won’t Sleep Well Tonight, has a deeply personal origin: one summer evening while driving along Lake Ontario, Jerry was reflecting on a decades-old breakup. Just days later, he received a Facebook message from the woman’s daughter, who revealed her mother had recently admitted she wished she hadn’t let him go. “I didn’t sleep well that night,” Jerry recalls—a moment that sparked a song resonating with heartfelt nostalgia and connection.

Jerry’s love for songwriting dates back to the late ’70s when he was a member of the touring band Pearl. Feeling the need to contribute more to the group, he penned his first song, Goodbye, which helped land the band a producer, a record deal, and recognition in Billboard Magazine. That early success cemented his belief in his ability to tell stories through music.

Despite setbacks—like not considering himself a natural singer or virtuoso musician—Jerry never stopped writing. “I knew I could make something deeply personal feel universal,” he says. That belief has led him to projects like assembling a new band in Port Orange, FL, after fellow musicians were drawn to his songs.

A transformative moment came when Jerry wrote a song for a church service about family struggles. After performing it, a man approached him to say it inspired him to try reconciling with his wife during a divorce.

“That was a turning point,” Jerry says. “It not only made me re-dedicate my self to this wonderful craft but also to be very selective about what I wrote about.”

Today, Jerry feels honoured to have been named the USA Folk Song winner in last year’s Talent Is Timeless contest. He credits the community with inspiring him to keep growing:

“Hearing other people’s perspective in their songs, understanding that I am not unique in writing songs at this age just strengthened my resolve to keep striving to get better.”

Jerry’s journey has been filled with unexpected creative sparks, including a now-beloved song, The Light of Siena, which “wrote itself” during a late-night trip to Italy. That dedication to capturing inspiration wherever it strikes is a hallmark of his artistry.

His advice to other songwriters over 50 is heartfelt: 

“If it’s in your heart to do this, it will be in someone else’s heart to hear it. Don’t stop.”

You can connect with Jerry on Talent Is Timeless here: https://www.talentistimeless.com/members/jerry8656/

And listen to Jerry’s winning song here: https://youtu.be/3LY6FkrTCPI?si=D7J1Gwm2IAqZxPD6