Weho Original Song Officially Makes its Debut

The winner of the officially debuted her winning-song on Wednesday night at the .

Kristy Hanson, winner of the contest sponsored by the West Hollywood Marketing & Visitors Bureau, performed a 40-minute showcase in the club’s intimate On The Rox stage. She concluded the set with her contest-winning ode to West Hollywood called, “Welcome Me Home.”

Brad Burlingame, president of the Marketing & Visitors Bureau, said the city has “fallen in love” with Hanson’s music and also presented the final element of her prize, an acoustic guitar provided by ESP Guitars.

By winning the contest, the 31-year-old Hanson who has lived in Ohio, Florida and Michigan, but now considers Los Angeles home, also won $1,000 in cash and

Her “Welcome Me Home” was the top vote getter out of the five songs selected as finalists. More than 3,600 votes were cast in the contest which required songwriters to pen an ode that not only incorporated the words “West Hollywood” but also captured the essence, the spirit of the city.

“West Hollywood has held a special appeal for me even before I lived in LA, ever since I first visited about eight years ago,” said Hanson. “I’m inspired by both the rock heritage of The Sunset Strip and West Hollywood’s place as the home of LA PRIDE. It’s a warm and welcoming city and a center of the No H8 movement, which I strongly support. I truly feel that West Hollywood is a place where you can follow your dream, whether your dream is to be a rock star, or just be who you are and love whomever you want. I hope that message of equality and love comes through in my song.”

Hanson’s husband, Mike Chiaburu, performed with her at Wednesday’s show.

Hanson’s song “Welcome Me Home” is available as a free download at www.soundcloud.com/visit-west-hollywood.