SOUTH PORTLAND – South Portland native Sean Murray had high hopes when his band, Fancy Reagan, submitted their original video of “Stay” online and entered the “Make A Band Famous” competition sponsored by VH1 and Republic Records. With more than 2,500 video entries submitted, more than half-a-million online votes were cast, and Fancy Reagan was selected to be among 24 bands to compete in New York City in a competition streamed live on VH1’s Internet site.

The 24-hour, non-stop, live competition consisted of several music challenges including performing original songs, popular songs on children’s toy instruments, performing on the street corners in Williamsburg and performing a full-on rock show on the waterfront in Red Hook, N.Y. Hosted by Tyson Ritter, front man of the All American Rejects, the competition was judged by some of the industry’s finest talent including music executives from Republic Records. The finale was broadcasted live on June 12 on Palladia TV.

Fancy Reagan, a pop punk, ’80s glam alternative rock group, wowed both the public and the judges to sweep the competition and win a recording contract with Republic Records and an extended multi-platform “VH1 You Oughta Know” program.

While the band calls New York City home, most of the band members are from New Jersey. Lead singer Sean Murray is from South Portland.

Murray’s love of music started from an early age and he performed in many South Portland High School musicals under the direction of Jane and Steve Filieo. After graduating from South Portland High School in 2007, he headed to Syracuse University where he studied musical theatre. In his junior year he headed to Los Angeles where he continued his studies and took acting courses.

In 2011, he resettled in New York City to attend Syracuse’s Tepper Semester, which exposes students to all aspects of the entertainment world. During this semester he auditioned for and landed a role in the Broadway show, “American Idiot,” and later in the off-Broadway’s revival of “Rent.” While stage performance was his passion, his love for singing and music continued to blossom and he began to write songs, hone his guitar skills and sing in commercials and on kids’ CDs. Once he became part of Fancy Reagan, the band, which played at the Old Port Festival last year, has been making its mark on the music scene ever since.

Sean’s parents Christine and Bob Murray along with his sister Emily reside in South Portland.

South Portland native Sean Murray, middle, is the lead singer of Fancy Reagan, which just won a VH1 band competition and recording contract. His bandmates, from left, are Rich Fuchs, Chris Tsaganeas, Jason Krebs and Bobby Kay.