Pike vocalist releases recording single

Milford — An accomplished Delaware Valley High School chorus student, Mandy Garrabrant graduated in 2000 with a dream to make a name for herself in the entertainment business. Eight years, a stage name of “Miller,” and a few fortunate breaks later, she received her wish. Post-graduation, Miller moved from Dingmans Ferry to New York to pursue her singing career. She soon became involved with “The Songbirds,” a special-events musical collaboration with her father Gary Richards. After five years of performing and traveling to places like Nashville TN and Los Angeles CA, Miller auditioned in 2005 for the American Idol spin-off contest “Catskill Idol.” The show, produced by HBO’s Tony Darrow and Ed Washington, drew over 800 contenders. After being named a finalist, she was later contacted by Washington, who became her producer. To develop Miller’s abilities and promote her as an artist, Washington involved her in another competition — this time, it was through a Poughkeepsie NY radio station, WPDH FM. The budding singer won, and became the voice of the Hudson Valley Renegades, a minor league affiliate of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays baseball team. By 2006, Miller and Washington traveled to a Los Angelos studio and began writing and producing her first track, “If I Leave.” Miller hopes the lyrics, which were written by Washington, appeal to and reach women seeking appreciate in relationships. She’s also looking to attract several audiences with a complex and unique sound. “I’d say I’m a country [genre] cross-over,” said Miller. “I’m in between country, pop and rock, because I didn’t want to be one or the other.” Later that summer, Miller opened for Lonestar at Monticello Gaming and Raceway, and performed with Somerville at a Brad Paisley Bethel Woods Center for the Arts concert. “Everyone was really nice and down to earth,” she said. “I met a lot of wonderful people and learned a lot, because what you think you know, you don’t.” The single track was released in early March, and a completed album is expected to hit stores later this year. Miller plans to shoot portions of the video for ‘If I Leave” in the Milford and tri-state area; on Saturday, April 5, taping will take place in Mel’s Tavern off Rt. 6 and the public is encouraged to attend. “We want a real bar atmosphere, especially of locals,” said Miller. “I’m really thankful to Milford, because in a sense, I am a small-town girl. I hope to be an inspiration to DV kids; just because you’re in a small town doesn’t mean you can’t be in the limelight.” Miller asks that interested readers visit her Myspace page, www.myspace.com/mandymillersmusic, to listen to and download the single. The website also offers a link to purchase her song.