Brandon Michael of Corinth is one of a dozen contestants with a chance at winning a recording contract and the starring role in a cross-country live concert tour.
The winner will be announced today in Part 2 of the season finale of Majors and Minors, a children's voice and talent competition in which no contestants are voted off. The show airs at 9 p.m. on children's cable network The Hub.
"I'm definitely excited," said Brandon, 12.
In a span of 15 weeks, Brandon and the 11 other contestants, ages 10 to 16, worked with music producers, songwriters and vocal coaches who helped them develop and sing their own original songs. Artists including Will.i.am, Jennifer Hudson, Mike Posner and OneRepublic's Ryan Tedder mentored the cast.
Brandon was selected for the show after a nationwide search in which 40,000 hopefuls auditioned.
Though excited about the finale, Brandon said completing the show is bittersweet because he leaves behind cast mates he now considers an extension of his family.
"Now that we're finished, leaving, it's like, 'No, we don't want to leave,'" he said.
Brandon said the show let him grow professionally, but he still has "a lot to learn" and "room to grow." He plans to continue writing music.
After the experience, Brandon said, he'll take away advice from artists such as Hudson, who said that "it's not about how good you are but how good you are to work with," and Will.i.am, who encouraged the cast to see their dreams through to the end.
On Jan. 16, Brandon's first single, "Don't You Dance," which he wrote, was released on iTunes and is available on the album Majors and Minors: Our Songs (Season 1), which features original music from other cast members. The songs were featured in the first half of the season finale, which aired last week, Brandon said.
"It's amazing. I'm just so excited about it," he said of the single. "I can't believe this is it. All the hard work is paying off.
"Hopefully one day it will be on the radio. That would be crazy."
Gina Arreaga, Brandon's mother, said she compares her son's participation on Majors and Minors to School of Rock. As filming went on, the cast grew physically, mentally and musically, she said, adding that "all of their growth set off one another and blessed one another." The professional musicians and producers also tapped into Brandon's abilities, Arreaga said.
"Everyone poured into him," she said. "To see him blossom was definitely a phenomenal experience that gave him a tremendous amount of education and exposure."
Since production for the show wrapped up, Brandon's father, Chris Arreaga, said his son has become more determined and focused on his music. Having the opportunity to appear on Majors and Minors allowed Brandon to experience "what he's always dreamed about" and develop as a musician, he said.
So what next for Brandon?
"I'm really not sure," the preteen said. "I'm just waiting until after the finale and praying God opens doors. Whatever he wants me to do, I'm going to do it."
BRITNEY TABOR can be reached at 940-566-6876. Her e-mail address is btabor@dentonrc.com.
