A YOUNG Gwent singer aiming to be the next R 'n' B sensation could be taking the first steps to stardom after an American production company expressed an interest in her.

Erin McNamara, 15, from St Julians, Newport, already performs with her father, Mike, in Big Mac's Wholly Soul Band, and writes her own songs.

She sent samples of her work to a number of production companies, and was thrilled when Def Ro Inc, based in New Jersey, USA, said they wanted to make her an offer.

She said: "I'm really excited about it - I love performing."

Dad Mike said his daughter has "the makings of a little starlet". He said: "She has a very mature, strong voice. She does songs by Slade but gives it her own interpretation."

After sending her work to production companies she had an e-mail back from Def Ro that read: "Good news. Your material has been accepted by Def Ro Inc and a formal acceptance is in the post."

She is now waiting for more details to find out what the offer entails.

Def Ro, which specialises in R'n'B, hip hop, pop and rock, helps unsigned singers and songwriters record professional demos, which are then distributed to major labels.

Erin's idols include Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston.

She also likes soul music, and performed with Big Mac's Wholly Soul Band in front of a several hundred-strong audience when Newport's Christmas lights were switched on.

Mr McNamara said his daughter enjoys doing her own version of the band's numbers.

"She has a totally different style from me," he said.

"She'll listen to my Motown music and give it a modern approach."

And as well as singing other artists' songs, Erin also writes her own and has written about 12 in total.

Her song I'm Me is featured on a CD which Mr McNamara put together to raise money for the Kaleidoscope project, a charity which helps people with drug problems.

Also on the CD is a track he composed called Come On In Out Of The Cold - which is an appeal for drug addicts to seek help.

The single has already sold around 200 copies and is available at Diverse Records, Charles Street, Newport.