Next Page make it through to Open Mic UK 2009 grand final (From York Press)

Next Page make it through to Open Mic UK 2009 grand final

7:48am Thursday 1st October 2009

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A TALENTED duo are a step closer to fame and fortune after scooping the top prize in the regional final of a national competition.

Next Page – made up of Heath Lanzillotti, of York, and vocalist Lisa Crawford – have made it through to the national grand final of Open Mic UK 2009 – a talent competition that searches for the UK’s best singers, singer/songwriters and rappers.

The group competed against thousands of hopefuls in auditions and wowed judges with their original song, Crazy, at the regional finals hosted at Sheffield City Hall on September 20.

Next Page will now go on to represent York at the grand final, in Manchester on December 6, in the hope of walking away with a recording contract, £25,000, and the title of UK’s Best On The Mic 2009.

Next Page was formed by Lisa, a soul vocalist, and songwriter Heath.

They met while working together for a recruitment firm in Leeds and decided to combine their musical talent to form a duo.

Heath, 29, grew up in New York. His musical influences range from Billy Joel, Journey and Bruce Springsteen to Bach, Beethoven and Chopin.

Lisa, 28, has been singing since she was 15. Her main musical influences are funk, R&B, gospel, pop and rock.

She said: “We are delighted to be through to national grand final of Open Mic UK.

“There are so many talented bands from Yorkshire such as Arctic Monkeys and The Kaiser Chiefs; it would be amazing to have the opportunity to show more of Yorkshire’s new musical talent.”

Chris Grayston, events director of Open Mic UK said: “The standard this year has been outstanding – there has been a great mix of pop, acoustic and R&B acts and a good balance of covers and original material.

“The grand finalists will really have to work hard ahead of the final and then pull out the performance of their lives in order to be crowned the overall winner – we’re in for a great final show.”

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