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LETTER TO PORTUGAL – NATHAN MOUNTFORD (Australia)

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To the Head Of TV Entertainment RTP,

Why?

48 times and counting. What’s another year?

People of the world are sick of visiting cold countries! 2017 is the year for sunshine and sardines!

I love the idea of a refresh – RESET, REFRESH and surprise us, NOW. Like a Portuguese tart! It has a lot of history but is always fresh, so eat it while it’s hot.

Listen to your people – a Crowdfunding campaign? Who does that – people who love their country, their music and their Eurovision.

I visited Lisbon in 2015 and I want more. I make a pledge to visit Portugal every year that I attend Eurovision. Eurovision has broadened my geographic knowledge and made me want to visit different places including Portugal. Which BTW reminded me of Australia (and I love my country).

Katia Averia has put her hand up. Say YES. Ask her brother to chip in some money! If not, go to any Fado bar. Pick one of your many fantastic singers (so many to choose from, maybe your the lucky country).

Get Nando’s (famous in various countries for Peri Peri sauce and Portuguese Chicken) to sponsor the entrant. I’m sure they’ll have some great ideas to create a fantastic social, advertising and media campaign (look them up on Wikipedia).

Use the world’s biggest free resource, the internet. Get some tips from Switzerland and find an International star to sing for you. Hint: Australia is desperate to go again (perhaps under the title of Portugal)!

Quero Ser Tua ‘went off’ at the Euro Fan Café’ in Vienna. People are listening. Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh. Remember when Russia won in 2008? All I heard was “it’s Russia’s time to win”. Well, last year in Vienna I heard a lot of “it’s Portugal’s time to win”! I can’t say you will win but I predict if a country in your region does, tourists will be lining up at your door.

To be serious though…

…This is a great opportunity that not every country in the world has. I’m from Australia. We have been lucky enough to participate once (most likely). One time. And so many others will never have the chance. But Portugal does. I would love to showcase our talent every year. And it’s not just about the talent; it’s about so many things:

Tradition. Pride. Competition. Showcasing. Celebrating. Peace.
But most importantly, although we have our differences, we can come together as a united people and enjoy a moment together – a moment that can change your life forever.

Think of all the people with sad faces right now. Then think of all the people with smiles on their faces when you agree to reinstate your participation. Even people from Australia!

Don’t give up.

Member blog

(EURO)VISION OF THE FUTURE

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by Richard Isaac (Seattle)

Normally a glimpse of the aging members of Lordi in full costume roaming the dusty desert streets in their wheelchairs would be the most memorable moment of the 99th Eurovision Global Song Contest.

But the backstage romance between the Israeli and Palestinian members of their joint delegation has captured most of the headlines in advance of the finals taking place this weekend, May 29–30, 2054. The press broke the story of Shimon and Suleiman just before last weekend’s semifinals, when they were caught at a candlelight dinner on the outskirts of host city Bamako, the other band members nowhere in sight.

Still, since the Treaty of Amsterdam of 2022 put an end to the century-long Middle East conflict, the only scandal the tabloids have been able to find is that their mothers are complaining that the young men hadn’t yet told them.

Mali, named a UNESCO World Music heritage site in 2027, is in full regalia to welcome the 59 delegations, after having finally won with Ali Selif “Elvis” Touré’s rousing “Bembera” last year. Being the first African nation on top in ten years, the country and its capital are putting on a colorful show for the world.

The four quarterfinals — instituted soon after the contest went global in 2033 — went smoothly last month, featuring 111 entries in all: 25 from each zone (12 of which advance), plus the Big Ten and Mali.

In the Americas competition, Cuba and Haiti easily took the top points, and Big Ten members USA and Brazil automatically advanced along with the other top-scoring nations. Canada’s Justin Bieber III did not qualify, however.

In the Asia/Oceania quarterfinal, the Sri Lankan fusion trio Sri Blind Mice squeaked out first place over Papua New Guinea and the other 10 qualifiers, who joined Big Ten members India, Australia, and Korea (which alternates with Japan and China for the East Asia Big Ten spot).

The Africa/Middle East contest, West African nations dominated the top spots, with host Mali also automatically advancing with Big Ten member South Africa and this year’s pan-Arab Big Ten representative, Iraq. The joint Israel-Palestine delegation (the fifth such in 32 years) made a splash with an up-tempo dance number, “Wholly Land.”

Malta continued its lucky streak in the European quarterfinal, joining other “smallies” Liechtenstein, Monaco, Andorra, and San Marino among the top finishers. UK, Germany, and Russia (which alternate with France, Spain, and Sweden for the European Big Ten spots) rounded out the 15 total advancing from the contest’s home ground, including strong contenders Czechia and Vatican City.

Italy (having dropped out in 2041 after four consecutive wins) had been rumored to be returning—again—but in the end decided not to. It was Turkey’s year to compete in the European quarterfinal, but maybe it will have better luck in next year’s Asia quarterfinal.

The 59 semifinalists were, as usual, randomly shuffled without regard to geography into last weekend’s two semifinals, and the top 20 from each (plus host Mali) are being sent along to this weekend’s split finals on Friday and Saturday nights, Greenwich time. (Since 2044, the Big Ten have not had a right to automatically pass through to the finals, allowing for more diversity in the final 41, but five of them made it through this year.)

Of course, since the shows are broadcast globally at different times of day, the vote results will be withheld until the two-hour special on Sunday afternoon, so everyone can see both shows and not lose too much sleep.

There are some surprises among the finalists, including two entries in Esperanto. Since the language restriction was reintroduced in 2021 (allowing songs only in official languages), several nations adopted English as an official language, but EGSC organizers saw through the ruse and limited English songs to the British Isles, Malta, Gibraltar, and other longstanding English-speaking lands, such as Singapore and Liberia. In protest, Esperanto has been revived as a way to reach broader audiences.

Some things remain as they always have: the songs are no longer than three minutes, only six people are allowed on stage, and fireworks and wind machines are encouraged. The hosts’ banter is still generally silly, as are some of the costumes.

Who will win this weekend is anyone’s guess, though. The betting sites favor the strong entries from Malta, Cuba, and the host’s neighbor Burkina Faso. Will Sweden take home its 12th prize? Will dark-horse Laos come from behind? Or will onetime-powerhouse Ireland break its 58-year losing streak? That would sure please the veteran BBC host, 91-year-old Graham Norton!

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LETTER TO PORTUGAL – STEPHEN STIGWOOD (Australia)

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Head of TV Entertainment Portugal – broadcaster RTP

I am disappointed and surprised that Portugal has decided not to join in the competition for Eurovision 2016 – Stockholm.

Having visited Portugal in 2009 I found the country to be steeped in music and the traditional music, Fado, was very moving and unique. It is a lament to all that has been lost…in love and in war. This wonderful music was performed from so many different musicians from humble men in their local cafe or bar to professional Fado artists who had perfected their craft and sound.  I felt that Portugal had a strong musical spirit and this is supported by the fact that Portugal has been an entrant is 48 Eurovision competitions and this is the most of any country! A remarkable feat of persistence! This fact shows that the country loves music and always enjoys a chance to perform. What a wonderful way to showcase Portugal to the rest of Europe and the world. Keep entertaining us Portugal. We need to hear more of your special music.

Please reconsider…It is only a matter of time until Portugal wins but of course if Portugal does not enter,  then their time for winning will never come!

Regards,

A heartbroken fan

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LETTER TO LUXEMBOURG – DARREN TOMPSETT – UNITED KINGDOM

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Kent
DA1 5QU
Royaume – Uni

20th October 2015
45 bd Pierre Frieden,
1543 Luxembourg

Dear RTL Télé Lëtzebuerg,

Hello my name is David Theron, OGAE UK & Rest of World Member, and I am writing to you from Royaume Uni (United Kingdom) to express my desire for Luxembourg to rejoin the Eurovision Song Contest.
I have been a fan for nearly twenty years and over this time I have enjoyed many songs from different countries. I love the fact that some entries are sung in their own language; this is what Eurovision is all about celebrating different styles of music around Europe.
I feel that Luxembourg is one of these countries that always presents a song that really shows off their country and gives us the viewers a little taster of their nationality.

As you are aware Luxembourg has participated 37 times and won the contest five times:

1961 Jean Claude Pascal “Nous les amoureux” 31 points
1965 France Gall “Poupée de cire, poupée de seń” 31 points
1972 Vicky Leandros “Aprés tol” 128 points
1973 Anne Marie David “Tu te reconnaîtres” 129 points
1983 Corinne Hermes “Si la vie est cadeau” 142 points

All amazing victories and I know that Luxembourg could win again if they had the right help and guidance. Having finished in the top ten twenty-two times is a big achievement not duplicated by many other countries.
For Luxembourg to move forward I think that creating a new television show to find the artist/song to represent them would be successful and of course the public will be heavily involved. This has worked in many countries and in some cases; the chosen song has gone on to win the contest. I know that funding can be an issue but I’m sure that sponsors, like local radio stations, music companies, the tourist board would all benefit from a win. You just need a great artist and song to convince these sponsors and show them that it would be very rewarding for both parties.

Fans of Eurovision from all over Europe have lots of ideas and I am one of those people that could help out other countries on how to make a comeback to the contest. Social Media is a key part of marketing these days that really wasn’t around during Luxembourg’s successful Eurovision run. International street teams can promote your song and artist in their local country which would cost you little to nothing for free publicity.

I would love Luxembourg to come back with a winning song that is current, fresh but still has traditional values by being in your native tongue.
Last year’s motto was building bridges and I feel that Luxembourg should build towards connecting with other countries that can bring them back in the contest. For instance, if Luxembourg won maybe a shared contest between the Benelux countries would not only split the costs but also celebrate the true meaning of the contest, One Vision – A Euro Vision.

Eurovision is big celebration that is adored all over Europe, being the oldest and most watched non-sporting television programme in the world; Luxembourg deserves to be a part of that. So come join us.

So let’s help find you some funding and select a well written song and get the prestigious title of “Six-Time Winner!” It would seem a shame that such a successful country in the contest isn’t represented now with the contest entering its sixty-first year. With many countries returning to the contest like Italy it would be great to have Luxembourg back as well.

If you need to contact me, please feel free I am happy to help such a worthy country get back into the Eurovision Song Contest.
Yours sincerely,

David Theron (name changed)

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Diana Gromova appears in Icon contest…and the winner will sing in Belarus national final

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Diana Gromova {copyright: Diana Gromova/VK; Icon competition}
Diana Gromova {copyright: Diana Gromova/VK; Icon competition}

Diana Gromova is a highly talented young singer from Belarus. In the past she appeared in several Junior Eurovision national selections in her homeland but narrowly missed out on representing her country. She has also submitted songs to the Belarus national selection in recent years.

Now Diana is competing in the Icon competition in Belarus (the Icon of the scene). Over the weeks the acts have had to sing an original song, russian hit, world hit and a Eurovision song. Diana performed her version of Warrior (2015 ESC Georgia) by Nina Sublatti.

The creator of the Icon project is Belarusian music producer Maksim Aleynikov. The final will be on 29 October, where 12 acts will compete. The prize is not only for money but the winner will also have a song for the Belarus Eurovision national selection.

You can see Diana in a compilation video below where you can see her perform Warrior also.

Source: www.esccovers.com

 

 

Emma Hamza

Emma Hamza: A star with a bright future

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Emma Hamza {copyright: Paradiz Production Company}
Emma Hamza {copyright: Paradiz Production Center}

Emma Hamza is a young and talented star from Ukraine that we can expect to see involved in Junior Eurovision and Eurovision contests in the near future. She has already appeared at several important festivals including the  2015 New Wave Junior festival, where she was watched by Philipp Kirkorov (1995 ESC Russia).

Emma has a gentle and crystal clear voice. She has recorded the classic song Can’t Help Falling In Love (performed by many acts including Elvis Presley). She also recorded the anthemic Moya zvezda (My star).

You can hear Moya zvesda below and also see her perform at the New Wave contest.

Source: www.esccovers.com

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMTup2o65oA

Alexander Rybak, Member article

ALEXANDER RYBAK – THEN AND NOW

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Written by Eric Andersson

If you’re like me, you remember the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest, held in Moscow Russia, as one of the best shows ever. Moscow pulled out all the stops that year and created a truly amazing stage, using almost a third of the entire planet’s supply of LEDs. The competition was fierce, with amazing acts like sexy Sakis Rouvas of Greece singing This is Our Night, stunning Chiara of Malta singing What if We, Denmark’s incredibly dreamy Brinck singing Believe Again, and the absolutely fantastic Svetlana Loboda from the Ukraine giving us naughty Roman soldiers and her dance song, Be my Valentine! (Anti-crisis Girl). It was a Grand Final to remember!

But when the voting started, it was soon apparent that a very young, very adorable Alexander Rybak from Norway was going to sweep the points with his song Fairytale. Wait, Alexander who? What was going on? I’d barely heard of this guy, and I tend to keep my ears open when it comes to ESC contestants. But here he was scoring the highest number of points in Eurovision history.

Recently, I invited some friends over and we watched that show again, and I enjoyed it almost as much as I did the first time. Afterwards, when I’d sobered up, I decided to do a little research of the then 23-year-old history maker. Here is what I found:

Rybak1

Alexander Rybak was born on May 13th 1986 in Minsk, Belarus, to parents, Natalia and Igor, both professionally trained musicians. He was taught the violin and piano at a very early age, but decided to focus his attention on the violin. At the age of ten, he enrolled at The Barrat Due Institute of Music where he not only studied the great classical masters, but also began playing jazz and popular pop hits.

In 2005, at the age of 19, Rybak joined the Norwegian talent-contest “Idol” and at 20, he competed in another talent-contest, Kjempesjansen, where he won playing a song of his own composition, Foolin. After that, he was cast in a production of Fiddler on the Roof, which earned him a Hedda, the highest award for Norwegian stage actors.

Later, he traveled around Norway playing for food and lodging. During this time, he wrote his now popular song, Fairytale. In 2009, he performed the song on stage at the 54th Eurovision Song Contest in Moscow where he earned a stunning 387 points, winning by a landslide.

Two weeks after the ESC, Rybak released his debut album Fairytales, which reached triple platinum in Norway, Gold in Sweden, and Double Platinum in Russia. A short time later, he went on tour in Norway, Sweden, Ukraine, Belarus, Russia, Poland, and the United States. Later that year, he performed at the Nobel Peace prize concert in Oslo.

According to his online biography, Rybak’s interest in acting has led to a character-role in the movie “Yohan- the child-wanderer” and the voice-dubbing part of the lead characters in the animated movies How to Train Your Dragon and The Moomins and the Comet Chase.

In June 2010, his second album, No Boundaries, was released, and in December of that year, he also released a Christmas-EP, God Jul. In June 2011, he released his 3rd album, Visa vid vindens ängar, a collection of poetic ballads all sung in Swedish by Alexander.

In 2011, Rybak got his bachelor’s degree with top grades as a violinist, and in November 2012, he released a Christmas-album “Christmas-tales” with new versions of his favorite Christmas songs as well as some of his own composition.

rybak2

Last month (September 2015), Rybak released his first book called Trolle og den Magiske Fela (Trolle and the Magic Fiddle), a partially autobiographical children’s adventure about being different, bullying, and accepting what is different in others. Born in Minsk, Rybak felt ostracized at times for practicing the violin most days after school. In his book, Trolle, who has no tail, feels lonely when he is teased and bullied by the other trolls. It is a tale of a friendship that overcomes everything – even the darkest magic of the forest.

Currently, Rybak and actor Dennis Storhøi are on tour promoting the book. Storhøi uses voice and facial expressions to create the appropriate mystical atmosphere when reading the book to audiences, while Rybak fiddles a magical tune.

rybak3

Member article

UNITED KINGDOM – A BIG EUROVISION PROBLEM

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Article by Christopher Cobb – United States of America

What is the UK problem? Well, look at its ESC results for, oh, almost
the last twenty years. At the same time, the UK has produced a
reliable stream of popular music. Here are just a few that come to
mind: Adele, Amy Winehouse (RIP), Arctic Monkeys, Atomic Kitten,
Bastille, Booty Luv, Calvin Harris, Coldplay, Culture Club / Boy
George, Dead or Alive, Duffy, Ed Sheeran, Ellie Goulding, Elton John,
Fatboy Slim, Florence and the Machine, Frankie Goes to Hollywood,
Garbage, George Michael, Gorillaz, Groove Armada, Iron Maiden, James
Blunt, Jamiroquai, Kaiser Chiefs, Kate Bush, Kelly Osbourne, La Roux,
Leona Lewis, Little Boots, Morrissey, New Order, Oasis, Olly Murs,
Paul McCartney, Paul Oakenfold, Pet Shop Boys, Robbie Williams, Sam
Smith, Spice Girls (individually or together), Susan Boyle, Taio Cruz,
The Pogues, The Prodigy, Tinie Tempah, UB40, and Utah Saints. Even
Rihanna (Barbados) or Kylie (Australia) could help!

That’s a pretty good variety: new comers to old timers; groups to
solos; producers to over-produced; safe to edgy; pretentious to
ironic; photogenic to good personalities; men to women to gender
non-conforming; and even a few that might be willing to give it a go
if asked. What is the problem?

Here are some ideas:

1. Are there too many big fish in a tiny pond. Is going to ESC viewed
by the UK music scene as too small-time? Is it like a big movie star
doing television? Other nations don’t seem to view ESC that way. It’s
not a sign of weakness to represent your country. Even worse, do the
other nations see this snobbery and punish the UK when it comes time
to vote?

2. The block has crumbled. The big five still offer some support to
each other. England and Ireland still exchange some votes. But, maybe
it’s time for the UK to enter as three or four separate nations. In
other contests (e.g. FIFA, IRU, ICC) the individual nations are given
their own berths in the competition. Why is Eurovision any different?

3. Could it be the “special relationship”? Lots of people resent the
US and its pushy ways. Is the UK punished because of its close ties to
the US? There is a lot of inbreeding between the US and UK music
scenes. Madonna doesn’t even know which accent to use anymore. Calvin
Harris owns Vegas. Does this make the UK an Extraeuropean interloper?

4. Has the UK selection process been dominated by a handful of greedy
producers who are looking to introduce the next big act? A newbie is
easier to manipulate. The producer of the act takes a bigger cut of
the earnings. So, the people deciding who goes to ESC don’t pick from
the sea of proven talent but instead hope to get rich quick with a new
discovery. Except, they aren’t very good at the discovery part and
occasionally have to send an act hoping to make a comeback.

I’m an anglophile by birth. It’s just part of being American. Most of
my European friends are from the UK. We cheer for them every year. We
even have a “nul point” drinking game (our UK friends don’t find that
amusing). I would love to see the UK do better. What needs to change
for this to happen?

Aram MP3 & The Sunside Band/You're My Sunshine

Aram MP3 releases new single – ‘You’re My Sunshine’

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Aram MP3 (from the official video clip of You're My Sunshine)
Aram MP3 (from the official video clip of You’re My Sunshine)

One of the big favourites at the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest in Copenhagen was the Armenian entry by Aram MP3 with his song Not Alone, where he eventually finished in fourth place that year.

Aram MP3 is back with a brand new single featuring The Sunside Band. The song is called You’re My Sunshine. It has an uptempo and retro 80s sound and has an overall happy vibe. The music was composed by the Sunside Band with lyrics by Lily Vardanyan.

You can see the official video clip for You’re My Sunshine below.

Source: Aram MP3 official You Tube; www.esccovers.com

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SUMMER NIGHT CITY – A TRIBUTE TO ABBA

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Written by: Andrew Scott and Dean Cheley

When explaining Eurovision to a novice, the first name that typically comes up is ABBA. How can it not – they are the quintessential Eurovision band, and continue to be an extremely important part of the ESC, despite having won over 40 years ago. Each time one of their songs is played, the room livens up, Like an Angel Passing Through My Room. That’s why Dean and I were Head Over Heels at the opportunity to see an ABBA tribute show (ABBA The Concert) at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles a couple of weeks ago, not the least because we got Two for the Price of One. The band was amazing – and the members were almost identical to the real thing, almost like ABBA was As Good As New.

While they expectedly played many of the major hits, we were surprised at the many songs from the ‘vault’ some of which were even new to us. This meant they didn’t have time to do some of my favorites (S.O.S., Super Trouper and The Name of the Game), but it was great to Let the Music Speak and hear the true diversity of songs that ABBA performed throughout their career. It definitely brought out the Dancing Queen in all of us. If It Wasn’t For the Nights like these, where the music goes On and On and On, life would be unbearably boring. When All is Said and Done all I can say is People Need Love so Thank You for the Music and let the countdown to Eurovision begin – only ~200 days to go! Perhaps this year will produce the ‘ABBA’ for the next generation.

abbatribute

Fans of Eurovision Song Contest cover songs