The unofficial 'You're A Star' winners, 21 Demands, became the first Irish act to hit the coveted number one spot in the pop charts through digital download sales of their debut release 'Give Me a Minute'. The Irish weekly chart compilers Chart-Track say we now have the most accurate chart in the world.

Elvis Presley was the first recording artist to top the Irish chart when it was launched on Radio Eireann in October of 1962 singing 'She's Not You'. Since then, the chart has undergone many changes, from vinyl releases to cassettes and from CD to digital downloading formats. The charts are made up from CD sales in almost 400 record stores throughout the country and online sales. The new style chart is expected to follow the trend in America and Britain, where sales of digital downloads now account for fifty percent of the singles market. Dick Doyle of the Irish Recorded Music Association (IRMA) says, 'Consumer purchasing is changing dramatically and we intend to keep the Irish chart accurate and updated with the introduction of downloads to mirror this ever-changing market place.'

BELLAMY BROTHERS RETURN

American country duo, The Bellamy Brothers, return for a three date tour during the month of July. The multi-million selling duo Howard and David enjoyed an amazing chat run starting with 'Spiders and Snakes' Stateside in the 70's and with international hits such as 'Let Your Love Flow' and 'If I Said You Had a Beautiful Body (Would You Hold It Against Me)'. Howard and David appear at the Glenavon House Hotel, Cookstown on Tuesday, July 3. On July 9 and 10, Ocean FM presenters Big Bernie and Marion Fitzgerald will host the annual two night country music extravaganza at the Clanree Hotel, featuring headline names such as Mick 'the hat' Denver, Mick Flavin, Robert Mizzell, and many more live on stage.

THE MIAMI MEMORIAL

Letterkenny based artist and sculptor Redmond Herrity, has been commissioned to erect a permanent memorial to the victims of the Miami Showband murders. On the July 31 1975, Fran O'Toole, Brian McCoy and Tony Geraghty were murdered by UVF militants as they returned to Dublin after playing at a dance in the Castle Ballroom, Banbridge, Co. Down. Justice for the Forgotten, have commissioned Redmond to erect the memorial outside the former National Ballroom, Parnell Square, Dublin.

CONAL'S GALES OF LAUGHTER

Comedian Conal Gallen returned to An Grianan Theatre in style ,with three sell-out shows. The new material and songs brought laughter from the audience from start to finish. Following the success of his current CD 'Horse it Into, Ya', Conal soon returns to the recording studio to record album number twelve and he will soon be filming a new DVD. Off on another cruise, Conal is a true showman live on stage

SOUND BYTES

The Frank and Walters are on the comeback trail as they issue 'Flight'. Riding high, Snow Patrol release 'Signal Fire' a track from the 'Spiderman' soundtrack album. Can't say I am over excited about our Eurovision entry 'They Can't Stop the Spring', sung by Cathy Jordan and Dervish, the song lacks excitement. Off the Cuff revive the Johnny Cash song 'All Over Again' as their debut offering, a number worthy of airplay for the band. A newly formed duo known as Hopscotch featuring Gerry Madine and Gerry Murray revive 'A Picture of Jesus' to launch the duo.

NEWSROUND

U2's Bono and the Edge are to compose the music and the songs for the Broadway musical of the comic hero Spiderman.

Our Donegal Person of the Year, Margo, was thrilled to meet her old friend and recording partner Dolly Parton on her recent visit to Belfast.