MEDIA RELEASE

'ANGEL' SNARES TOP 5

NATIONAL MUSICOZ AWARDS

NOMINATION

HEARTBEAT

HILLS DISTRICT performing artist, Chantelle Marie KING, has been nominated a Top 5 Finalist in the Performers Category of Musicoz Challenge 2002, a national music competition boasting major sponsors that include Sony Music, Festival Music Publishing, APRA, Studios 301 and the National WIN Television Network.

News of the achievement was phoned through to Chantelle’s management company boss, HeartBeat Entertainment’s V J King Sr, last week.

At 14 years of age, Chantelle Marie King is the youngest finalist in non-age-restricted categories throughout the entire Musicoz Challenge 2002.

Winner of the The Hills Talent Search 2000 Junior Division at age 12, and the Senior Division in 2001 at age 13, Chantelle is well credentialed, a worthy twice-crowned contender, and a seasoned campaigner in the world of high-powered music competition.

“I don’t know what to say… I just cannot believe this is really happening!” beamed an elated Chantelle when told of the good news.  Adding, that "after six weeks fighting off bronchitis and a severe bout of flu, and licking my wounds from a failed attempt to score even a ‘mention’, let alone a placing, in the recent Dural Eisteddfod, this is fantastic news!”

The gifted young singer has received countless accolades over the last few years for her moving renditions of songs that, for the most part, are culled from musicals such as Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera, and Cats.

An ardent admirer of Barbara Cook, Marina Prior and Sarah Brightman it was, however, not Chantelle’s renditions of ‘musical theatre’ that so much impressed Musicoz judges as her goose-bump cover version of the poignant 1997 Sarah McLachlan hit ballad, Angel.

This complete genre shift is testimony to Chantelle’s amazing versatility and maturity as a performer - something not lost on those who snapped up copies of her ‘private collection’ demo CD, Someone To Watch Over Me.  Recorded in June this year at the Kim Humphreys studio, Hornsby… word quickly spread, and supplies were exhausted within days.

Jeanne Little, after hearing Chantelle sing at Dural Country Club back in 2000, remarked: “stunning… Chantelle’s voice just captivated the audience… a wonderful future ahead for this talented young lady”.   Country singer and local Hills identity, Tanya Sullivan, described her experience this way: “astounding talent… operatic voice… mainstream sound… this young lady has many options for the future.”

During an interview last week with Jim Shipstone, ex-Managing Director BMG Music Publishing (Australia & NZ) and now independent publisher and music consultant, Mr Shipstone unhesitatingly stated, that, “throughout my career in the Music Industry, rarely have I heard a voice of such quality and interpretative awareness in one so young. Chantelle has a talent way beyond her years.”  Powerful stuff, indeed, considering Shipstone’s industry pedigree and vast experience in the music business.

Since news of her success broke last weekend, congratulatory messages have flowed in from around Australia and from overseas – sent by an ever-growing number of fans that have been closely monitoring the flight of their young songbird.  Industry prediction is that, irrespective of the result for Chantelle on November 19, the future looks very bright indeed.  At 14, time is certainly on her side.

HeartBeat Entertainment

Glenhaven, Australia

“The Musicoz Awards,” explains MusicOz Marketing Manager, Kerry Grace, “is a national celebration of the cream of Australia's unsigned musical talent, attracting industry representatives, celebrities and established artists – all keen to see who might be Australia’s next ‘big thing’.”

The Awards Ceremony gets underway at 7.30pm on Tuesday 19 November 2002 at the IMB Theatre, Illawarra Performing Arts Centre, Burelli Street Wollongong NSW.

Ticket enquiries - IPAC Theatre (02) 4226 3366.

For further MusicOz details check out www.musoz.org or

contact Kerry Grace on 02 4227 1715  or 0404 88 7473.

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