McDonald’s singer is golden
December 14, 2011
After a month of intense online competition and campaigning, Tehachapi’s Maureen Recalde has been named one of three national finalists in the Voice of McDonald’s singing competition.
"I am just so happy and grateful for the people who sat on their computer and voted for me," said Recalde of the outpouring of support she received. "Social media definitely helped and having laptop stations in our stores. It helped get the word out about voting."
Voted into the top three from a group of 22 regional entries representing the United States, the Tehachapi store manager was among 800 McDonald’s employees who entered the competition in August. Now, she and 15 other winners from the U.S., Canada, South America, Europe and APMEA (Asia/Pacific/Middle East) will compete for the Global Voice of McDonald’s title in April during the McDonald’s Worldwide Owner/Operators Convention in Orlando.
In the initial round of competition, Recalde, 22, impressed the celebrity panel of judges with her video submission: a cover of Smokey Robinson’s "Who’s Lovin’ You." After being named Southern California Regional winner, she was sent to Hollywood to cut a video, this time a cover of Whitney Houston’s "So Emotional." For the second round, the public was invited to vote for their favorite during the month of November at voiceofmcdonalds.com.
"I’m so proud of Maureen," said her mother, Mary Ann Paciullo, who owns the Tehachapi restaurant where her daughter works. "I knew since she was 3 years old that she was talented. I used to drive from Tehachapi to Santa Barbara when she was in college to watch her sing. I knew that some day that she was going to be able to accomplish something like this."
After being notified of her win on Dec. 2, Recalde said she took some time to celebrate, but now has her eyes set on the weeklong trip to Orlando, where she’ll compete for the $25,000 cash prize before an audience estimated at 16,000.
"I do know they’re going to have a choreographed show planned for us, so that makes me nervous. At least we all have something in common -- we all work at McDonald’s."
For her final song choice, Recalde said she’s already begun scrolling through her library.
"I’m thinking about a pop song, maybe something jazzy. It probably won’t be country. It’ll take some time to choose it, but I know it’ll be good."
Matt Munoz Californian staff writer
Engagement through music
December 13, 2011
A crew that sings together, stays together. McDonald’s Vice President for HR & Training, Shaun Ruming tells us how it uses music to engage its staff
by HRM Asia
Israel Moore of Okemos is about to go global
December 12, 2011
The Okemos High School graduate and sophomore at Hope College in Holland is one of three U.S. finalists in a worldwide McDonald’s employee singing competition. Moore was surprised last week at the Okemos McDonald’s restaurant where she works...
by MLive
Local McDonald’s Employee Gets Chance To Win $25,000
December 8, 2011
Local McDonald’s employee, Israel Moore, got a big surprise Thursday afternoon after she found out she has been named as a finalist for the Voice of McDonald’s singing contest.
Israel is one of only 3 Americans that have reached the finals and she’s heading to Orlando to compete at the 2012 world-wide convention...
by WLNS News
Sweet Taste of Victory
November 3, 2011
McDonald’s employee Stephanie Savage serves cake to customers Wednesday morning at the Fairmont McDonald’s restaurant during a celebration in honour of her winning the national level of the Voice of McDonald’s singing competition...
by Lethbridge Herald
Tehachapi woman makes top 16 in national singing competition
November 1, 2011
Of all the employees in Southern California who auditioned, Maureen Recalde, a 22-year-old Tehachapi woman, made the cut. She’s in the top 16 for the nation and has a real shot at winning the grand prize of $25,000...
by Tehachapi Bakersfield Now
Your vote can launch a star from Wayne!
November 1, 2011
Voting began today for the Voice of McDonald’s contest featuring Kendall Titiml, a Wayne State College student who is employed at the McDonald’s in Wayne. Kendall is one of only 22 U.S. semi-finalists for the global competition. The public may watch Kendall sing and as well as vote for him at voiceofmcdonalds.com. Voting concludes November 30...
by Wayne Daily News
From McDonald’s to US
October 19, 2011
Logan Walker’s life has just hit a high note.
The 17-year-old who works at the Papakura McDonald’s has conquered the Voice of McDonald’s singing competition in Singapore and is one step closer to a fully fledged music career...
by Papakura Courier
Singapore song quest calls Logan
September 28, 2011
The bright lights of Singapore are calling a young singer who has beaten more than 40,000 others for a spot on the world stage.
Logan Walker is taking time out from his job flipping burgers at Papakura McDonald’s to show the world what he’s made of...
by Papakura Courier
