Arts & Entertainment

Two Dacula Teens Win Big at Georgia County and Gospel Music Association Awards

Local musician David Leon takes top prize in four categories. DHS sophomore Madison Beene also honored.

Dacula teen recently took home top honors in several categories at the ninth annual Georgia County and Gospel Music Association Awards.

Leon, 19, won in four categories in the male, 17-20 year old division. Leon was honored as the New Gospel Songwriter of the Year for his original work “One Hand On The Bible,” New Country Songwriter of the Year for his original work “Waylon,” Most Promising Vocalist of the Year and Entertainer of the Year. Leon also received a college scholarship during the Dec. 3 event held at the North Georgia Trade Center in Dalton, Ga.

“It is an enormous honor to have taken home so many awards along with a college scholarship,” Leon wrote in an emailed response to questions. “It is also a very humbling experience.”

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Leon said his next goal is to record an album of original songs.

Leon’s next local performance is Tuesday, Dec. 6 at . Visit his Facebook page or follow him on Twitter for more details. 

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Another Dacula musician was also honored during this year’s awards ceremony. Madison Beene, a sophomore at , was named New Country Entertainer of the Year in the female, 13-16 year old division.

Amanda Beene, Madison’s mother, said her daughter was very excited about the award.

“When she won, she was just shocked and couldn’t believe that her name had actually been called,” Beene said.

“To get that kind of recognition just was very overwhelming to her,” Beene added.

According to Beene, 16-year-old Madison has worked extremely hard during the past year and is currently working on a demo CD. Madison also plans to travel to Nashville in January to do a studio recording of one of her original songs.

Beene’s next local performance will be Dec. 20 at .

Leon and Beene will represent the state of Georgia at the North America Country Music Association International competition in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. in March of 2012.


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