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RTE strikes a new note in bid for Eurovision
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By Jason O'Brien
Saturday Feb 14 2009
HAVING failed to entice back the big names, RTE is turning to a group of relative unknowns to rescue its tainted Eurovision reputation.
Former winners Johnny Logan and Paul Harrington were among those approached to sing in Moscow in May after the decision to enter Dustin the Turkey backfired spectacularly last year.
But with all politely declining the invite, RTE has been forced to run another Eurosong competition to find an entrant.
And the list of six finalists revealed yesterday is less a 'Who's Who?' of Irish showbiz than a 'Who's That?'
Indeed, despite the fact that the winning song will represent Ireland in a European competition, one of the entries was written by an American. Two of the entries were penned by Latvian songwriters, and perhaps only Niall Mooney's name will ring any bells for Irish Eurovision fans.
Among the performers who will take to the stage during a special Late Late Eurosong special next Friday is Lee Bradshaw who will perform 'So What'. Mr Bradshaw "may be familiar to viewers as a waiter in the RTE TV series 'The Restaurant'," said an RTE spokeswoman. And Sinead Mulvey, who will perform 'Et Cetera', is a former 'You're A Star' finalist.
Jury
It is understood that Tara Blaise, one of the nominees for Best Irish Female Artist in this year's Meteor awards, entered the competition but her song was not selected by the jury. And Boyzone's Ronan Keating wrote the song that will be the Danish entry to this year's Eurovision.
The final decision on Ireland's entry will be decided by a jury vote and a public televote.
RTE said yesterday that over 300 entries were received for Eurosong, with Derry O'Donovan's 'Out of Control' among those to make the final six.
"The song 'Out of Control', has a very distinct ethnic, tribal flair, with a fusion of haunting Celtic and eastern influence, he said."
- Jason O'Brien
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