Our very own Maggie Council submitted an original song to Motema Music’s “Voice of My Beautiful Country” national contest that asked artists to express themselves about living in this great country: If you had the creative opportunity, how would the "voice" of your country speak to you? What would it say?

Chosen by award-winning singer Rene Marie (who will be here at the Straz Center performing in December 2011) Maggie won first prize, which includes airfare to Washington, DC, two hotel nights and tickets to see Rene Marie’s show at the nation’s finest jazz/supper club, Blues Alley, on July 6th.

Even better, Rene asked Maggie to perform her song at the show – and also to provide guitar accompaniment to Rene’s song “Wishes.”

Way to go, Maggie!

You can hear the winning song at http://www.maggiecouncil.com/ (it will autoplay when you go to the site).

Rene Marie Voice of My Beautiful Country & Black Lace Freudian Slip Tour comes to Tampa Dec. 2 and 3, 2011. She also sticks around for SLUT Energy Theory: A one-woman play starring Rene Marie on Dec. 4th.