Ingrid Michaelson Announced the 2006 NewSong New York! Contest Winner.

(New York) As the sun set on the Manhattan skyline on Saturday night, ten performing songwriter finalists from New York, Connecticut and New Jersey showcased their best original material in front of a panel of judges and a spirited crowd at the Seaport Music stage at the South Street Seaport—marking the first annual NewSong New York! Contest, presented by the River to River Festival®. The music was as eclectic as the weather was perfect; the material ranged from blues to pop to country to soul, and in the end Brooklyn-based alt/pop artist Ingrid Michaelson was announced the winner.

“This is an experience I'll never forget,” Michaelson said afterwards. “I’ve had such an amazing night. Half the fun was meeting the other musicians. There was a feeling of camaraderie between all of us.”

With influences ranging from Fiona Apple to Coldplay, Ingrid Michaelson served up a hot plate of infectious melodies, distinctive vocals and smart lyrics. Her successful fusion of indie pop, folk and alternative ultimately led the judges to select her to advance to the Mountain Stage NewSong Contest’s international finals and a chance to perform on an internationally broadcast Mountain Stage show. The international finals competition takes place Saturday, August 26 in Shepherdstown, WV at the fifth annual Mountain Stage NewSong Festival.

A native New Yorker, Ingrid is regularly seen in Manhattan at venues such as The Knitting Factory, CBGB's Gallery, Bar 169, The Sidewalk Cafe, Kenny's Castaways, Pianos and the Bitter End.

For interviews and high resolution JPGs, please email marysue@buildthemountain.com or call 240-274-2893.

For more information on Ingrid Michaelson, please visit www.ingridmichaelson.com.

	The River to River Festival®, presented by American Express, is proud to host the Mountain Stage NewSong New York! Regional Contest The following artists performed live at the NewSong New York! Contest Finals on Saturday, August 12 at River to River Festival's South Street Seaport stage.
	You can hear audio from the following finalists on the NewSong Jukebox, along with audio of the other regional finalists. ::click here

2006 New York Regional Round Finalists

	The Animators (Devon Copley & Alex Wong) – Brooklyn, New York www.theanimators.com
	Hope Nunnery – New York, NY www.sonicbids.com/HopeNunnery
	Ingrid Michaelson – New York, NY 2006 NewSong New York! Winner www.ingridmichaelson.com
	Kaydi Johnson – Huntington Station, NY www.telltalerecords.com
	Khalil Madyun – New York, NY www.myspace.com/khalilmadyun
	Omar Wilson – Norwalk, CT www.owilson.com
	Rich York – Fair Lawn, NJ theyorks@optonline.net
	The Knuckleheads (Spence White & Michael Hannon) – New York, NY www.theknuckleheads.net
	Steven Stellavato – Olivebridge, NY www.sonicbids.com/SteveStellavato
	Willie Breeding – Brooklyn, NY myspace.com/williebreedingmusic

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For more information on the River to River Festival®, visit www.RivertoRiverNYC.com.

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Red Jacket Orchards is proud to be a sponsor of NewSong New York! . . . An independent farm supporting independent music. www.redjacketorchards.com

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Additional questions? Contact us at contest@newsongfestival.com.

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