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    22

    Jan 2021

    Last Updated: 22/01/2021
    Community
    Community

    Harrogate teacher hopes for record contract with new single

    by Suzannah Rogerson

    | 22 Jan, 2021
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    A teaching assistant and singer from Harrogate has dreamed of this moment for years - only 500 downloads stand between him and a record contract.

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    A teaching assistant from Harrogate is releasing an original song in two weeks and hopes he will get a record contract.

    Sam McKenzie, is a special needs teaching assistant at Rossett School with dreams of succeeding in music. His first single is called Souls Collide and will be released on February 2.

    The 22 year old decided to pursue his talent four years ago after joining local dramatic society, Harrogate Phoenix Players. He found that he loved to sing and perform and began working on his voice.

    After a few years of recording covers and posting them to Youtube his parents paid for him to have a recording session in Wetherby for his birthday. From that session the producer offered to help him record three singles under his record company, EBA records.

    He said he wants to show his students that if you have a dream it can be achieved with hard work.

    Mr McKenzie's producer has set him a target of 500 downloads across his three singles with the prize being a record contract.

    He says the song will resonate with people who may be missing loved ones during the pandemic.

    Mr McKenzie has been overwhelmed by the support of his friends and family, who are yet to hear the full song. He hopes his music will encourage people "to stop and think".

    He added:

    "I've always loved singing but when my record producer said I had talent it meant so much.
    "This is the first project that I've been really proud of and I hope everyone loves the song."





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    The money raised from the downloads of his first single will be donated to two local causes. Half will go to Rossett School's SEND department and the other to Harrogate Phoenix Players.

    Mr McKenzie said both causes have supported him throughout his musical journey and pushed him to keep going.

    His two further singles are yet to be recorded, Mr McKenzie says he will be back in the recording studio as soon as restrictions allow.

    To hear a preview of the single, you can find Sam's Youtube channel here.