Melissa Lawson was crowned Nashville Star's sixth-season champ during last night's live finale broadcast of the NBC reality competition series.
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"Oh my God!" exclaimed Melissa after she was revealed to be the winner. "It is not just me that just won this competition; it is everyone of you that voted for me. We won! Thank you!"
Melissa received Nashville Star's sixth-season grand prize package of a Warner Bros. record deal, a performance at the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing, and a Toyota Tundra.
She defeated Gabe Garcia, a 28-year-old from Lyle, TX who currently resides in Dickson, TN, who finished second.
Before Nashville Star host Billy Ray Cyrus revealed Melissa as the winner, judge and mentor John Rich reiterated comments he made during a Friday conference call with reporters that the competition between Melissa and Gabe was "too close to call."
"I know a lot of people have watched this show that maybe have never listened to country music before. They're seeing the two of you stand up here -- we have a mother of five and a Hispanic-American country singer as the Final 2," said John. "This is what country music is about. I think it's a horse race. It's a photo finish."
Shawn Mayer, a 21-year-old from May City, IA who currently resides in Madison, TN, finished third.
"I would have done nothing different. Absolutely nothing. I'm so happy to be here. You know what? [Nashville Star first-season finalist] Miranda Lambert got third place, so maybe that's a sign. I don't know. But thank you guys so much. It means so much to me," said Shawn after her ouster.
"The Nashville Star tour is coming up and the moment I get out of press tomorrow I'm going to be right out there doing some more shows to get myself and earn myself a record deal, and hopefully earn my spot on that circle on the Ryman stage, the Opry stage."
A mother of five boys, Melissa is the second consecutive mom to win Nashville Star -- following in the footsteps of Angela Hacker, who took home the show's fifth-season title last March.
"It would really change everything about our lives," said Melissa when asked what it would be like to win Nashville Star. "It would change part of how we raise our children. It would also give them open doors... Just to find the words is crazy."
Melissa's first single -- "What if it All Goes Right" -- will make its country radio debut today. It is also currently available for download via NBC's website.
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In addition, the Top 4 sixth-season finalists -- Melissa, Gabe, Shawn and Coffey Anderson -- will begin a nationwide tour later this year.
(Photo credit NBC/John Russell) About The Author: Christopher Rocchio
