Singer to Cut Album

SCHOOLGIRL singing sensation Karen Harding has signed a music deal to produce her first album.

The 16-year-old beat 3,000 other young talents to take the top title in the Music Means Life competition.

As part of the prize, she will now record her own CD in the same secret studio used by stars including Tom Jones and Sting.

The pupil of Moorside Community College took the next step towards realising her dreams when she officially signed her contract with VIP Needs Limited on the Quayside in Newcastle, on Thursday.

Karen, of Derby Drive, Moorside, Consett, says she cannot wait to get in the studio.

“My idols are Whitney Houston and Alicia Keys,” she said, as she took time out of studying for her GCSEs to sign the record deal.

“It is my dream to be as successful as Whitney but to songwrite like Alicia Keys.”

In the final, Karen sang her heart out with her renditions Whitney Houston’s I Will Always Love You and I’m Telling You I’m Not Going by Jennifer Holiday from the Dreamgirls soundtrack.

She said: “To be judged by a worldwide musical talent such as Alan Clark from Dire Straits was an honour and so exciting,” she said. “I feel that this will open so many doors for me.”

(c) 2008 Evening Chronicle – Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.