Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
by Nicki Lefever
Local teen rocks Apollo
Captures 1st place in New York amateur night
Fresh from her win last night at the Apollo theater in Harlem, N.Y., DaNica Shirey, 15, got a taste of what life holds for a superstar.
DaNica was leaving the theater after receiving top audience approval at Amateur NIght when she was mobbed by dozens of screaming fans just outside the lobby doors. Her father Joe Shirey and grandfather Richard Walkup flanked her, Protecting her from her new admirers who wanted autographs and a moment of her time to pose for a picture.
And as if the hundreds of kisses she blew from the stage were not enough, her aunts, uncles, cousins and friends wanted more.
And rightfully so, they were proud.
DaNica, a student at Red Lion Area Senior High School, sang to the rafters and earned a first place finish to prove her talent is the real thing.
As guest host Drew Fraser put it: "She tore it down."
she even impressed security guard Charles Smith. :Dang, that girl can sing." Smith said,"and her voice is so strong."
Two months ago: DaNica was discovered by Apollo theater officials in February when the theater took is's TV show, "Showtime at the Apollo," on the road in search of fresh talent. "Showtime at the Apollo" Made a stop at the Strand-Capitol Performing Arts Center, where a number of acts competed for first place. the Rossums, a group of siblings, won the contest. DaNica came in second.
Seldom do second place winners end up at the Apollo, but so impressed was Vanessa Brown, a "Showtime" producer, that she invited the teen to perform in Harlem.
Although happy about her recent success, DaNica is not stunned by it. she and her family always knew she could sing. A chance to prove it was what DaNica wanted.
Before making the five hour trip yesterday morning from her Windsor Township home to New York city, DaNica said she was not nervous. She slept well Tuesday night and was ready to roll.
Performing, she said, is her strong point.
- York Dispatch
by Rebecca J. ritzel
INtelligencer Journal Staff
Local York teen has best pipes in Lancaster Idol contest
The girl with the most fans won Sunday's Lancaster Idol competition.
Joseph and vicki Shirey of Red Lion bought 100 seats at the American Music theatre and resold the tickets to friends and family from York county who cheered on their daughter, daNica.
By the end of the afternoon, DaNica had won over three discerning judges and a crowd of about 950.
The red Lion High School sophomore beat out 11 singers ages 15 to 20 to win the competition, sponsored by the Intelligencer Journal's Freestyle section and American Music theatre. The Freestyle section appears on Saturdays and features reporting and commentary by local teens.
the INitial call for contestants drew more than 60 Lancaster Idol wannabes. Cotestants either sent in videos or had their auditions taped at Park city Center. Members of the Freestyle and Intelligencer JOurnal staffs watched the tapes and narrowed the field to 24 semifinalists.
More than 2,400 people logged on to Lancasteronline.com to narrow that field to the 12 finalists.
On Sunday, the finalists sang before a panel of three judges--Ray Rowe, aka DJ Freez, owner of 12 Spot Sound: Howard Page, a sound engineer for Clair Brothers, a Lititz-based audio firm with a national reputation: and Jay Butterfield, a former Lancaster-area music director and principal.
The contest was modeled after the popular TV series, "American Idol."
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DaNica sang Whitney Houston's "I Have Nothing" in round one and knew she stood a chance of winning when Butterfield immediately remarked, "When does your CD come out? That was awesome."
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DaNica's final number floored the trio of jurors. She worked the crowd, strolling the stage as she sang a softer number. I used up all my hair gel this morning to spike my hair,: Freez said. " I should have saved some to smooth the hair on my arms back down Wow. That voice."
- Intelligencer Journal
Discography
Still working on that hot first release.
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
At the age of 3, DaNica began singing and making up songs with her father…and hasn't stopped since! Listening to her
powerful, soulful, smoky voice, it's difficult to imagine that she's only 17 years old. Having just completed her first self titled EP, a fusion of R&B, pop, and soul, this young and extremely gifted artist is poised and ready to move onto the
national/international music scene.
DaNica's voice is wise beyond her years, her desire to share her gift has led her to perform on stages in countless
venues such as festivals, fairs, schools, churches, weddings, and private parties. Always encouraged and supported by family
and friends, DaNica auditioned for the "Showcase at the Apollo" where she was selected from over 150 acts to perform
on its traveling tour in York, PA. Her performance so impressed the Apollo judges and band, that she was invited to
perform live at the Apollo Theatre in New York City.
On April 28, 2004, DaNica performed in front of a nearly sold out
audience at the Apollo Theatre. Backed by the Apollo's famous house band, DaNica blew away the competition and
won, beating out many other incredibly talented performers.
DaNica's most recent achievement had her wowing over 1000 audience members and judges alike at the "Lancaster
Idol" competition in Lancaster, PA. where she took the title and was named the first “Lancaster Idol”. The judges were highly impressed with her performance asking, "When is your CD coming out?" and stating, "It's as if we're watching a seasoned
professional." One judge, who stated that he had toured with Christina Aguilera, one of DaNica's musical influences,
told DaNica "Christina Aguilera if on the same stage would have some stiff competition on her hands."
DaNica's story has been documented and featured in the local press including the York Dispatch, York Daily Record,
and the Lancaster Intelligencer Journal, as we as on WPMT FOX 43TV.Comments like "remarkable", "a great talent that should be heard", "big voice", "natural gift", and "amazing", have become common place as the press continues to document her burgeoning career.
DaNica was recently interviewed live on WARM 103 FM radio
where she gracefuUy and professionally participated in an on-air interview with the two top morning DJ's, and then sang
live on air. The radio station was so impressed with her natural ability, that they have continued to speak about her on
air on a regular basis, dubbing her, "The Windsor Wonder" (Windsor, PA being her hometown), and most recently
praising her win at the "Lancaster Idol" competition, and strongly encouraging listeners to see her at her next
performance. Fans can also follow her career and her schedule on her website at www.danicasonline.com.
Still reveling in the aftermath of her trip to Los Angeles where she recorded her first self-titled EP with a host of
extremely talented and influential musicians including, Grammy award winning writer & producer Ted Greenberg and Bill
Appleberry among them.
DaNica continues to write and record new material to share with her fans and industry professionals. She believes her hard work and passion for performance has prepared her to move to another level. She has recently signed a deal to work with 3 POINT Records on making this move.
This young and gifted performer has set her sights high and is looking forward to entertaining audiences for years to come.
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