FOUR talented acts from the North-East and North Yorkshire have qualified for the National Final of the Open Mic 2009 contest.

Jodie Fitzgerald and Vivo from Gateshead have been joined in the December 6 event at The Willows, Salford, by Harriet Wigley-Smith from Coundon and the North Yorkshire band Natural Vibes.

Harriet Wigley-Smith impressed judges at the regional final in Newcastle by playing the piano and singing a song she penned herself, called Guilty.

Harriet, 16, who is studying A-levels at the Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form Centre, in Darlington, was one of three acts chosen from the under-18s category for the national final.

“I am so excited,” said Harriet, who works part-time at the Imperial Express, in Darlington. “I was so shocked when they called my name out.”

Keyboard-playing Jodie Fitzgibbon from Birtley went through with a love song called Love Will Come to You. She says: There were some exceptional performers at the regional stage, so I consider myself very fortunate to have been selected for the next round. It’s truly a dream come true particularly as the judges gave top marks to one of my own songs.” Jodie is currently studying GCSE music at Gateshead’s Cardinal Hume High School as well as attending Reavley Theatre School, Gateshead.

Natural Vibe, Phil Ellis and Garvin Edwards (aka Toastie Taylor), a twopiece acoustic/hip hop act based in Northallerton and Thirsk are also chasing the top prize of £20,000 and a recording contract.

To hear Harriet’s song go to myspace.com/harrietmusic01 while Natural Vibes’ work can be heard on myspace.com/thenaturalvibes ■ There is still a chance for two acts from the Newcastle heat to qualify for Salford. An on-line vote, using phone texting, is currently running on the openmicuk.co.uk website until midday on November 11 with the two top-rated acts from the North qualifying for Salford as well.

■ Entries have now opened for the Live And Unsigned 2010 competition for original artists, bands, vocal groups and solo artists. Prizemoney here is £50,000 with the winner gaining a recording contract with Future Music and £30,000 investment. Auditions open in January. To enter go to liveandunsigned.uk.com