Pop singer Nick Hagelin First Place Winner in NC Song Contest

Raleigh, NC – Raleigh pop singer Nick Hagelin (MySpace.com/NicholasLambMusic) was up against some stiff competition Saturday night at the North Carolina Songwriter’s Co-op 10th Annual Song Contest presented by Sam Ash Music. He swept the field of eight finalists performing “Paint My Room” and ‘Strawberry” live before a panel of industry professionals.

London born Rupert Wates (RupertWates.com) from New York took a sterling 2nd Place with his pop style “After the Rains” and “Prisoner of the Open Road”. Bluesy Lowcountry Folk artist from South Carolina Phyllis Tannerfrye’s (PhyllisTannerfrye.com) “Thirty One Dollar Bills” and “Blowin’ By” songs won her 3rd Place.

All eight performers were presented two gear bags filled with the sponsors’ gifts – certificates from Sam Ash Music, OnlineGigs, Songsalive! and The Music Loft of Carrboro; cables from cable technology leader TARA Labs; shirts and strings from GHS Strings; guitar straps courtesy of Levy’s Leathers; The Songwriters Hook Book from Midnight Whistler Publishing; a digital recording of the show from Goldhat Music; and cash.

The top three winners were also honored with a trophy and gift certificates from Oasis CD for producing their next CD. Hagelin also received a year’s membership in Taxi, the world's leading independent A&R Company. Over $12,000 in prizes were awarded.

One of the seven judges Michael Graziano owner of Blue Moon Imagery and MMG Communications remarked, "It was a difficult decision. All the finalists were extremely talented. Stacey Allyn Baker, Kate Graves, Audry Auld Mezera, Adam Middleton and Dave Turner all gave great performances - each brought to the stage a unique style, lyric and presentation."

The competition was held at the newly constructed 200 seat Performing Arts Theatre at the Holly Springs Cultural Center. The site, close to Raleigh, has state-of-the art sound, video and lighting systems, a large reception space, and growing reputation for musical performances.

Show Director, Jon Batson (JonBatson.com) commented, “NCSC is a statewide non-profit organization with a history and reputation for producing a quality contest and one of the best annual live shows in the Triangle. Our annual contest is open to a wide variety of songwriters. We accept all styles of music from all over the country. Every year the contest gets better and better!”

About NCSC: North Carolina Songwriters Cooperative is a non-profit organization dedicated to the support and promotion of songwriters. PO Box 335 Carrboro, NC 27510 | ncsongwriters.org.

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Media Contacts
NCSC: Eileen Batson, 2007 Contest Director 919.327.5021 contest@ncsongwriters.org
Sam Ash Music: Paul Ash, President 888.615.5904 ext 101 www.SamAshMusic.com
Onlinegigs: Jay Flanzbaum 888.595.3122 www.onlinegigs.com
Oasis CD: Micah Solomon 866.409.8170 micah@oasisCD.com
Tara Labs: Lisa Wooldridge 541.488.6465 lwooldridge@taralabs.com
Holly Springs Cultural Center: Bob Klaus 919.567.4000 bob.klaus@hollyspringsnc.us