NASHVILLE, TN (By K. ATwood -
Music City News Media) - Singer/songwriter Michelle Rene' of Phoenix, Arizona was named the Best New Act in Country
Music at the 24th Annual Colgate Country Showdown
National Finals held
Thursday evening (January 26, 2006) at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. For the first time in the Country Showdown's history, five females competed for the $100,000 grand prize before host Kassie Depaiva of ABC's One Life to Live and country duo
Montgomery Gentry presented the ecstatic Michelle Rene' with a trophy and check.
From the stage of the Ryman, the 'Mother Church of Country Music,' West Regional winner, Michelle Rene' (KZUA Show Low, AZ); Northeast Regional winner, Jessi (WBRT Bardstown, KY); Midwest Regional winner Ashley Ford (KNDK Langdon, ND); Southwest Regional winner Rebecca Frederick (KKNG Oklahoma City, OK) and Southeast Regional winner Catherine Ritter (WKBL Covington, TN) demonstrated their equally extraordinary talents with verve to validate their competitive edge before industry veterans Craig Campbell (Sony Records), Keith Follese (Midas Records) Producer, Garth Fundis, Mike Martinovich (The Consortium Group) and Tinti Moffat (William Morris Agency) who were the decision makers.
The judging criterion was based on Marketability in Country Music; Vocal/Instrumental Ability; Originality; Stage Presence & Charisma; Overall Talent and Original Music. To showcase her artistry, winner Michelle Rene' performed two self-penned songs (the bluesy-feeling 'Heart of Love' and the upbeat 'Cowgirl Heart of Mine') in front of a full house. Michele introduced herself to the judges and the audience as the whole package-with talent and a style she describes as 'contemporary country rock with a little bit of bluegrass.'
Michelle Rene''s title comes after participating in the Colgate Country Showdown, a nationwide talent search that begins at a local level with more than 400 country radio stations participating. Over 500 local talent competitions were held as part of the 24th Annual Colgate Country Showdown with more than 10,000 acts competing. Local winners moved on to compete at the State level; 46 State competitions were held. The winner from the State competition moved on to compete in one of the five regional competitions to make it to the finals.
Eighteen-year-old Michelle Rene' began performing professionally throughout Arizona four years ago at state and county fairs, music festivals, professional sports arenas, talent shows and local TV shows. She currently hosts her own live show, The Michelle Rene' Show, in North Phoenix every Saturday evening at the District AMC Fountain Stage in Desert Ridge. She is a singer/songwriter who identifies her musical influences as Martina McBride (for her lifestyle, vocal performance and heartfelt lyrics) and Shania Twain (for her stage performance and charisma). Mirroring their style, Michelle Rene' hopes to become a mainstay country music artist. 'My original music has it's own style,' says Michelle. 'I don't want to follow the fads or trends. I just want to stick with what I feel and write, and perform songs that have a future. I have a lot to say and this is just the beginning…of my future in country music!'
Michelle Rene' follows in the footsteps of some of the notable country music artists such as Garth Brooks, Mark Chesnutt, Billy Ray Cyrus, Sara Evans, Erika Jo, Toby Keith, Martina McBride, and Neal McCoy who have competed in the Country Showdown.
'I didn't just enter this competition to win. I entered this competition to begin. To begin the business of making music and the first thing I'm going to do is put the money into a business account and then get into the studio,' adds Michelle.
Michelle is scheduled to record her first single to be released to radio by late spring. She will begin her publicity campaign and radio tour immediately.
Colgate-Palmolive is the national sponsor and leading global consumer-products company tightly focused on Oral Care, Personal Care, Household Surface Care, Fabric Care and Pet Nutrition. In the U.S., Colgate sells its quality products under such nationally recognized brand names as Colgate, Palmolive, Mennen, Ajax, Irish Spring, Softsoap, Murphy Oil Soap, Ultra Brite and Fab.
The National Final will air nationwide in March and April over syndicated television with a second airing to follow on Great American Country and can be seen internationally on government access channels in more than 175 countries. For more information how to enter and to learn which television station is carrying the show in your area, please visit the Colgate Country Showdown website at www.colgatecountryshowdown.com.
For more information on Michelle Rene' visit www.MichelleRene.com.
