It's that time of year again, as twenty-four countries compete in the 52nd Eurovision Song Contest live from the Hartwall Arena in Helsinki on Saturday night. Last year, rockers Lordi won the 'Eurovision' title for Finland for the very first time singing 'Hard Rock Hallelujah', a hit across the continent.
Presenters Jaana Pelkonen and co-presenter Mikko Leppilamp will welcome an estimated seven hundred million television viewers to Helsinki, as the public from some forty-two countries will vote for their favourite Eurovision 2007 entry. Singing the John Waters and Tommy Moran composition 'They Can't Stop the Spring', traditional favourites Dervish fly the flag for Ireland. Fronted by singer Cathy Jordan, the band featuring musicians Brian McDonagh, Liam Kelly, Tom Morrow Shane Mitchell and Michael Holmes have performed at festivals from Brazil to China over the past eighteen years and have released a new album 'Travellin Show' to coincide with their Eurovision appearance. Dervish are placed fourth in the running order on Saturday night. Host country Finland have selected singer Hanna Parakinen singing 'Leave Me Alone', while the two guy, two gal vocal group Scooch sing for the UK with a song entitled 'Flying the Flag (For You)' a good sing-along offering.
With tickets selling for over ¤1,000 each, the gala final of the Eurovision Song Contest, from Helsinki is the hottest show in town, and will be screened live on RTE and BBC1 this Saturday night at 8.00pm.
THE RICH LIST.
The Sunday Times recently published their annual 'Rich List' and in the entertainment list there were no surprises. Topping the 'Rich List' are Bono, The Edge, Larry and Adam better known as U2 worth a cool £478 million, followed by the "Lord of the Dance" Michael Flatley who earned £377 million. The wealthiest female on the list was singer and composer Enya who has earned £77 million.
SOUND BYES.
Andrea Corr is seeking to launch her solo recording career with the release of her much hyped single "Shame on You", not a bad effort from the Dundalk lass. Like her or loathe her, Sinead O' Connor knows how to select her material and her latest offering "I Don't Know How to Love Him" should make the airplay list. Monaghan four piece The Flaws are hoping for that elusive breakthrough with their new single "Sixteen". An original offering from the popular duo Thomas Maguire and Fhiona Ennis a number entitled "Were Still Together" an impressive number. I just can't understand why Nuala McCormick has recorded the classic "The Twelfth of Never" a superb song, but the wrong material.
DANIEL IN LETTERKENNY.
Country heart throb Daniel O'Donnell kicks off his Irish summer tour with a special concert at the Letterkenny Sports & Leisure Complex on Saturday 14th of July. Joined by his touring partner Mary Duff, the concert will be filmed as a Daniel television special and also his forthcoming DVD. Meanwhile Daniel's mother Julia has written her biography which will be published within weeks under the title "The Mothers Story".
NEWSROUND.
Tickets for the Barbara Streisand concert at Castletown House, Co. Kildare will set you back ¤551.75.
iRadio the new youth radio station for the north west will be known as i102-104fm and will hit the airwaves in August. Comedians Hector O'hEochagain and Tommy Tieman will be hosting their own shows on the station.
The annual Big Buzz Awards will be held at the Witla Hall, Belfast on June 14 .
After almost twenty years, Dana returns to resume her singing career with a nationwide tour in June.
