Datisha Pickett Triumphs in Detroit; Jacksonville's Own Brings Home the Chrysler Financial Presents Vickie Winans' Rising Star Talent Contest Title

Datisha Pickett Triumphs in Detroit; Jacksonville's Own Brings Home the Chrysler Financial Presents Vickie Winans' Rising Star Talent Contest Title

FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich., Nov. 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Chrysler Financial and Vickie Winans are pleased to announce Datisha Pickett as winner of the Rising Star Talent Contest, held in Detroit on November 4, 2005. Datisha overcame more than 500 talented vocalists, who submitted material from all over the United States, to win the Rising Star Talent Contest. With the Rising Star title comes a prize package consisting of a recording contract with Destiny Joy Records (including a $10,000 signing bonus) and a two-year lease on a 2006 Chrysler 300C.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20051107/DEM025 )

Datisha, with tears of joy in her eyes, spoke about her win, "I feel tremendously blessed. This is an awesome experience and I thank God for everything. I can't wait to start working with Vickie and to begin my ministry!"

Datisha, a Jacksonville, Florida native, began her quest for the title in Orlando, Fla. The Orlando competition, held on September 15, featured five amazing vocalists, but Datisha wowed the judges and walked away with the win.

It was Datisha's experience that took her all the way to the top. Between touring, recording and performing in gospel plays, Datisha is no stranger to the spotlight. She began singing at the age of seven at family reunions and by the age of sixteen, Datisha began touring with her cousin, Willie Ross and the New Youth Community Choir. She has also traveled the country with gospel acts such as Lamar Simmons and Ambassadors of Christ; Edward Waters College Choir; Florida A&M University Concert Choir; LeJuene and Cedric Thompson and Tyronn Wilkins & Fav'r. Datisha, a truly talented vocalist, also travels as a soloist with her Pastor, John E. Guns. Recently, she was a backup vocalist for Karen Clark Sheard and most notably, Datisha also sang backup with Patti LaBelle at Super Bowl XXXIX.

Datisha is more than prepared to record her first record with Destiny Joy. She has already recorded with many of the bands she has toured with, including Tyronn Wilkins & Fav'r, Willie Ross and New Youth Community Choir and LeJuene Thompson. Datisha has also lent her vocal talents to a recording by gospel star Troy Snead.

In addition to her vocal work on the road and in the studio, Datisha sang in the gospel plays "Perilous Times," "Black Nativity" and "Mama, I Want to Sing."

Even though she is busy performing, Datisha still takes time to give back to her community. With her church, St. Paul Church of Orange Park, where she is a Worship Leader, Datisha has been working with the "Taking Back The Streets" Program. In addition, she has done prison ministry and sings at nursing homes during Thanksgiving and Christmas.

"Datisha is truly a Rising Star," said Vickie Winans. "Datisha has such a great spirit and has so much raw talent ... she is just amazing. I'm very blessed to have Datisha record for me and Destiny Joy Records."

The Chrysler Financial Presents Vickie Winans' Rising Star Tour and Talent Contest kicked-off in Detroit on July 28, crossed the country and made its way to Houston on October 6 to end the semifinals of the talent contest. The tour and talent contest officially concluded in Detroit on November 4 with the finals of the Rising Star Talent Contest. Admission to every show on Rising Star Tour was free and one of the primary goals of the concerts was to educate people about their personal finances and endorse the belief that education leads to personal and spiritual empowerment.

"This contest was remarkable, both in our partnership with Vickie Winans, which enabled us to spread a positive message about the importance of financial empowerment and the literacy message that was passed along to tens of thousands of gospel music fans," said William F. Jones Jr., Vice President - Chrysler Financial. "We can't all be successful artists, but we can all dream big and we believe that understanding one's finances is an essential building block in achieving those dreams."

About Chrysler Financial

Chrysler Financial offers a complete line of world-class automotive financial products and services for both dealers and consumers of Chrysler, Jeep(R) and Dodge vehicles. In addition, Chrysler Financial offers vehicle wholesale and retail financing, fleet management and lines of credit to all 3,900 Chrysler Group dealers. As an industry leader in automotive financing, Chrysler Financial provides its customers with the most innovative and efficient methods of doing business. For more information on Chrysler Financial visit http://www.chryslerfinancial.com/ .

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20051107/DEM025
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Chrysler Financial

CONTACT: Amber Gowen of Chrysler Financial, +1-248-427-3126,
arp11@daimlerchrysler.com ; or Paula Donner of 360 Media Inc.,
+1-404-577-8686, info@360media.net

Web site: http://www.chryslerfinancial.com/
http://www.daimlerchryslerservices.com/na

NOTE TO EDITORS: Additional information and news from DaimlerChrysler is available on the Internet at: http://www.media.daimlerchrysler.com

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