Arizona Lindsey, a 22-year old aspiring country-pop singer and songwriter from Lindenhurst, was recently crowned the winner in the seventh annual Your Big Break talent contest sponsored by the Gold Coast Arts Center, Love Revolution Org, and the Rick Eberle Agency.
Lindsey was among five acts that made it to the finals and was ultimately selected from more than 1,000 online submissions, a live crowd, and a jury made up of music business executives, producers, and radio and TV personalities. The event was held at the Gold Coast Arts Center in Great Neck.
This year’s final Your Big Break performances were in tribute to the 50th anniversary of Woodstock, that was held in upstate New York in the summer of 1969. All the performers in the finals were assigned musical selections by artists who appeared at the iconic music festival in keeping with their musical styles.
Lindsey, who gave a passionate vocal performance with a heartfelt and powerful lyrics in the semi-finals, performed the Joan Baez hit, “The Last Thing on my Mind,” in the final round. Mentoring her hroughout the competition was Lem Payne Jr, an accomplished singer, songwriter and producer with major label credits and national touring experience as a performer.
“I am so incredibly humbled to be named the winner of the Your Big Break competition. I am honestly still in complete shock and trying to process everything,” said Lindsey. “Thank you, everyone, for your undying love and support through everything. I am feeling so incredibly proud of how far I have come and so thankful for the support and love that is always surrounding me. But really, oh my god.”
Lindsey is also a passionate mental health advocate who strives to de-stigmatize mental health issues through her music and intimate conversations with her fanbase. She recently released a single and accompanying music video, “The Desired Way,” that was inspired by and tackled topics such as grief, loss and how to help those who may be grieving.
Lindsey will receive prizes including a chance to open for national acts at major venues like The Paramount in New York City, recording time at Mix Place, public relations and social media campaign management with the Rick Eberle Agency, musical equipment from All Music Inc. and ZOOM North America, a homepage feature on ReverbNation.com, and a feature article in Good Times Magazine.
“Choosing among the group of talented finalists in this year’s competition wasn’t easy, but Arizona’s poise and performance really shined, and we wish her well in her future as a star,” said Ronni Berger of the Gold Coast Arts Center. “The finalists were all fantastic, and we look forward to hearing good things about them as they pursue their musical careers.”
The finalists in this year’s Your Big Break included Jackie Romeo, 15-year-old resident of Massapequa, whose musical genre includes soul, pop, and R&B; Over the Garden Wall, a band formed by Westbury resident Jonathan Gardyn, along with Ryan Wall of Valley Stream and Garden City’s Aidan Larenas; A Band Called Sad, a New York City-based alternative rock band; and Lydia von Hof, a 16-year old singer, piano player, and songwriter from Commack.
For more information about Your Big Break and many other arts and enrichment programs presented by the Gold Coast Arts Center, visit www.goldcoastarts.org or call 516-829-2570.
