Iowa Woman Wins National Anthem Contest, Earns Nashville Recording Session
A 20-year-old woman from North Liberty, Iowa, has won a nationwide contest for her a cappella rendition of 'The Star-Spangled Banner.' Lily Schloss was named the winner of Gray Media’s Star-Spangled Sing-Off, a competition launched to celebrate the nation’s 250th birthday. Schloss entered the contest through KCRG in Cedar Rapids, one of many Gray-owned stations across the country that solicited nominations. The competition involved three rounds: local station nominations, local viewer voting, and a regional round, culminating in Schloss being selected as the national winner. As part of her prize, Schloss received a trip to Nashville, Tennessee, for a professional recording session. She was surprised with the news during a pep-rally-style celebration at the KCRG station. The prize package included swag bags, hair and makeup styling, and the personalized recording session, resulting in a polished studio recording of the national anthem performed entirely a cappella in her voice. Gray Media stations nationwid...