Ch.: Michelle, please introduce yourself and the music you are playing to our readers.

Michelle: My name is Michelle Rene and I am from Phoenix, Arizona. I am 18 years old and I just won the Colgate Country Showdown here at the Ryman Auditorium. My music is contemporary Country Rock Music with a little Bluegrass in it. I have been singing now for about six years in Phoenix.

Ch.: What can you tell us about the contest you won?

Michelle: The Country Showdown is a 25 year-old contest that takes place nationwide. It's the largest country talent competition. – It starts out as a local competition (via participation radio stations--approximately 500) where the contestants get the chance to submit a CD. This CD is then sent to the local radio stations and where they are judged and 10 people/submission are selected to go on to the next level of the competition locally. The winner of that competition then goes on to the state level, then the regional level and in the end the finalists going to the national competition.

Ch.: How did you break into Country Music?

Michelle: Well, I've been signing in Phoenix at various events for a few years. This contest in particular has been invaluable for me. I had entered the contest in order to gain experience in performing and the Showdown has helped me a lot. It has given me lots of experience and exposure to the public and I now have a recording contract. So that's my big break in Country Music!

Ch.: What can you tell us about the upcoming album? Did you write some of the songs yourself and what is the story behind the songs?

Michelle: We are still working on recording the album and not all the songs will be written by me. Some of them will be written by Keith Follese and Brad Allen. Two of the songs that I wrote (and performed at the Finals of the Showdown) I am hoping will make the cut for the album. One is entitled is "Cowboy Heart of Mine".

Ch.: What inspired you to write the two songs?

Michelle: I enjoy writing songs from personal life experiences. "How to Love" is a song about how I have been rising to the top as far as my music career is concerned.

Ch.: Looking around Nashville it seems that every bartender could be the next star in Country Music. What did you do for a living before you had your break in music business?

Michelle: I am only 18 years old and my "work" history is not as long. After I graduated from high school, I went to music business classes at a community college and at the moment I am a media intern at a development company. I've primarily been spending my time after graduation to concentrate on my song writing.

Ch.: How can fans find out more about you?

Michelle: The easiest way to obtain information is to visit my website: www.michellerene.com . Fans can find my biography there, a calendar of upcoming events, clips from my music and more. They can also order my CD from that website. And...hopefully, everyone will be able to hear more about me on the radio!

Ch.: This is your chance now to tell our readers whatever you want to share with them.

Michelle: I will be touring the radio stations as part of the promotion of my single and the upcoming album. I am looking forward to be able to go out and meet a lot of new friends and fans and I want to thank them for their great support.

Ch.: Thank you for taking your time for this interview.