40+ artists from across NM entered the Visit Las Cruces, NMCO Studio competition
NMCO Creative Studio, in collaboration with Visit Las Cruces, is thrilled to announce the winner of the Love Song for Las Cruces contest: Tassos Bareiss! The contest received over 40 song submissions from local artists across New Mexico, totaling over two hours of music. NMCO Studio and Visit Las Cruces will release a YouTube playlist featuring all the participating artists.
NMCO Studio and Visit Las Cruces have a longstanding partnership "producing videos and other promotional materials that highlight our city’s diverse culture, vibrant history, amazing food, and many other sought-after attractions," said Visit Las Cruces Director Rochelle Miller-Hernandez. The Love Song for Las Cruces contest was open to musicians both within and outside Las Cruces, and the response was overwhelming. Throughout February and March, over 40 songs were submitted through the Love Song for Las Cruces submission site.
"I was overwhelmed by the number of submissions, and it was such a joy to listen as musicians expressed their love for Las Cruces. The sheer talent and creativity of all the musicians alone are inspiring,” said NMCO Studio Creative Director Katrina Chandler.
After careful consideration and extensive listening, NMCO Studio and Visit Las Cruces selected Tassos Bareiss as the winner. Bareiss, a Software Engineer from Albuquerque, has demonstrated his musical prowess alongside his professional career.
“It’s been a wonderful experience winning the Love Song for Las Cruces contest. Writing the song was fun; it’s what I love to do. Unlike most, this song came together really fast. I finished it a few hours after learning about the contest. I was excited that there was this kind of contest so close to home. I was of course super happy when I learned I had won. As an independent musician just starting to put my music out, I really appreciate the recognition and the opportunity to earn some money and work with industry professionals. It’s just more motivation to keep on making music and putting it out there. I am proud that a song I wrote is representing the city of Las Cruces. There’s a lot to love about the place,” said Tassos.
Bareiss' song will be professionally mastered and featured in upcoming Visit Las Cruces commercials. Additionally, the song will be played on local radio stations, and the NMCO Studio creatives produced a full-length animated lyric video for the song's official release, you can watch the lyric video on Visit Las Cruces’ YouTube page. On Friday, July 28 Chandler will be hosting a two-hour radio show about the Love Song for Las Cruces contest featuring some of the contest submissions and Bareiss' song on KRUX 91.5 FM from 5-7 p.m.