Aiea Man In Online Contest Final Rounds

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Ryan Pugal is raking in votes for his R and B
contribution on famecast.com. Photo from Ryan Pugal.

Ryan Pugal wants stardom, and he wants it bad.

He is in the top 10 in the R and B section of the Famecast.com talent search contest and is trying to make it to the top five list of talented candidates, who are chosen by Internet votes. The competition began with 100 contestants, and four rounds later Pugal is in the top 10. He hopes to get as many votes as possible during fifth-round voting, which starts today (March 21) at www.famecast.com

If he makes it to the top five list, he will be flown to perform live in Austin, Texas, for a shot at being the overall winner or “phenom,” which comes with $10,000 cash prize. Voters will be able to pick their favorite candidate during a live webcast.

“I write my own songs,” said Aiea resident Pugal, who composed Miss You So Much, Don’t Know Why. He recently performed the national anthem at an NCAA Wahine Volleyball game.

“Music is what I want to do,” said a determined Pugal. He quit his job at a retail store in December to pursue his music full time. He said he has been inspired by American Idol greats Jordan Segundo and Jasmine Trias.

He credits the support of his family for the opportunity to pursue his dreams. Pugal’s mother works in the housekeeping department at the Sheraton Moana Surfrider, and his dad, Esteban, had to leave his job as a bellman at a Sheraton hotel for heart surgery. Pugal’s sister Leilani is also in the hotel industry at the Ihilani.

To check out Pugal’s music and vote, visit his myspace website link at http://www.myspace.com/ryan-vpugal