Top original song, other awards for local state fair talent

Riley Rambali took first place for original song at the state fair. (Courtesy photo)

GRAND ISLAND -- A McCook woman won first place for her original song and a number of other Southwest Nebraska performers were honored at the 12th annual Galaxy of Stars Talent Search at the Nebraska State Fair.

Riley Rambali, 18, McCook, took first place for her original song, "Where is Jesus." She received $500 cash and a trophy, a four-hour recording session valued at $600, a one-hour Value Skype Consultation valued at $200 and a $50 Value Song Critique by Nashville songwriter Kristi Manna.

Mason Harouff of Culbertson received $100 cash and trophy for being voted by the audience as the best overall performance.

Area finalists in the Shooting Stars division included Morayah Cupp of Champion, Off Season Duo Phalen Sanford and Aubrey Fredrick of Benkelman; Novas Christopher "Dozer" Lewis of McCook and Mason Harouff of Culbertson.

Jesse Stevens of the 103.5 Coyote Country Music Showdown received the Above and Beyond Award for going "above and beyond" to support and encourage Nebraska talent.

The 2015 Mega Stars Major Minor 3 -- Shelby Stevens, Riley and Tyler Rambali, plus Christopher "Dozer" Lewis, all of McCook, performed at the Galaxy of Stars Spectacular Tribute Concert for Veterans.

Additional information is available at the official Galaxy of Stars website, www.galaxyofstarstalentsearch.com and the Nebraska State Fair website, www.statefair.org.