The Your Big Break talent competition’s first knockout round was held on Saturday, Feb. 9 at the Gold Coast Arts Center in Great Neck, and featured eight local aspiring musicians. At the end, only two advanced to the next round. Lindenhurst resident Arizona Lindsey was one of two performers, along with Massapequa’s Jackie Romeo, who will move on to the second knockout round at the Arts Center on Saturday, March 23 at 8 p.m.
Lindsey, 22, is a country pop singer and songwriter who gave a passionate vocal performance with heartfelt and powerful lyrics. She is also a mental health advocate who strives to de-stigmatize mental health issues through her music and through intimate conversations with her fan base. She recently released a single and accompanying music video, “The Desired Way,” that tackles topics such as grief and loss, sharing ways to help those who may be grieving.
Last July, Lindsey’s debut album, The Castle You Built Me, struck a chord with the public by selling out the album’s release show held at a local theater. The album has since been on sale in areas across the U.S., Australia, and Japan. In the summer of 2017, Lindsey went on tour, performing at venues around Long Island, in Manhattan, New Jersey, the Hudson Valley region, and Nashville.
Massapequa’s Romeo, 15, whose musical genre includes soul, pop, and rhythm and blues, has been singing since childhood, but she has gotten serious with her music over the last two years. She has performed with Long Island native, singer, songwriter, producer, and actress Debbie Gibson and her Electric Youth Workshop. She has also sung the national anthem for the Town of Oyster Bay’s summer music in the parks concerts.
Romeo, who showcases her talent on her own YouTube channel, is no stranger to competition, having won her middle school’s talent competition, which was covered by WBLI radio. She is excited about competing in Your Big Break and looks forward to the next round.
Your Big Break is presented by the Gold Coast Arts Center, Love Revolution Org, and the Rick Eberle Agency. Now in its seventh year, Your Big Break contestants get the chance to perform before music business insiders while competing for great prizes, hoping to get that “big break” to propel their careers to the next level.
Among the prizes contestants compete for include the chance to open for national acts at Revolution Bar & Music Hall in Amityville; recording time at The Loft Sound Studio in Syosset; public relations and social media campaign consultation with the Rick Eberle Agency; musical equipment from All Music Inc. and ZOOM North America; a feature on ReverbNation.com; and a feature article in Good Times Magazine.
The Gold Coast Arts Center is located at 113 Middle Neck Road in Great Neck. Tickets are on sale online for $15, $10 for students by visiting https://bit.ly/2GHnZRz. Tickets purchased at the door are $20 (subject to availability).
For more information, go to www.goldcoastarts.org.
