Master Tempo and Chrispa at MAD VMA 2008

Master Tempo and Chrispa "Hawai" at Mad VMA 2008

Kostas Martakis and Dessislava at MAD VMA 2008

Kostas Martakis and Dessislava "Mercy" at Mad VMA 2008

Sakis Rouvas "Kai se thelw" at MAD VMA 2008

At the 5th edition of Mad Video Music Awards Sakis Rouvas has won Best Male Singer Award.

Watch him performing the song "Kai se thelw" at Mad VMA 2008

MAD VMA 2008: Stavento feat Helena Paparizou

Stavento ft Helena Paparizou at 5th edition of MAD Video Music Awards.

Marija Serifovic preparing new album for European market

Marija Serifovic is currently preparing new album in English language for the European market.


While she is recording new songs with which she plans to conquer foreign music scene, she talk for "Blic" about music, successes, as well as jealousy and hard times in showbusiness and discloses future collaboration with a foreign musician.


"As the winner of last year’s Eurovision, I had a chance to go on European tour and see the difference between our and their way of organizing work and I realized it is completely different. Unlike Serbia where everything is done ad hoc, people do there everything on time. Of course they have a higher standard as well, so they can invest more in the quality of music. I agree that it is not easy to make an international career, but it is possible. From the beginning of my career I have tried hard to be different from other musicians. It is hard to make the career in Europe, but I am on my way to realize it. That is my wish, intention and ultimate goal."

Read more here

Finland starts earlier the selection process for 2009

escfinland.eu reports:

Finnish broadcaster YLE has published the rules and dates of their selection process for 2009. The competition is again going to be between invited artists and songs selected in co-operation with their record companies. The biggest change from last year is that the whole process starts much earlier and the songs can be made public already on the 10th of December 2008, and even earlier on YLE's own channels.

There will be 12 artists competing in three semi-finals on the 9th, 16th and 23rd January. Already now the head of YLE Entertainment, Ms Tuire Lindström is making a point that they will concentrate extra hard on the selection process of the competing artists, who will range from male and female solo singers to bands. The full artist line-up will be announced already in September. Ms. Lindström also promises some surprises. "We are very happy with our Eurovision project this year with Teräsbetoni making it to the final in Belgrade, so we will use the same process to select out next entry", she concludes.

From every semi-final two artists get voted straight to the final, which will be broadcast on the 31 January. Just like last year, there will be a second chance vote to start off the final between the 6 artists who did not make it directly to the final taking the number of participants in the final to 8. The final will be again in two parts and the winner will be decided by a tele- and SMS-vote. There is also a mention of a compilation CD of all the entries planned for a January release.

The host city and the venue have not been announced yet. YLE TV entertainment and TV channel 2 hosting all the Eurovision shows reside in the city of Tampere, and the semi-finals have in the past few years been transmitted "as live" from the Tohloppi TV centre studios there. Also the hosts will be announced later. Jaana Pelkonen, YLE's host for Eurovision shows since 2005 and one of the hosts of the 2007 Helsinki final has previously been reported to be looking for a career in politics after finishing her university studies earlier this year and might thus not be available to host Eurovision shows anymore.

source

LORDI New album out in october

LORDI will realease a new album internationally on October 20, 2008.

The new, still unnamed album presents melodic hard rock wich had characterized Lordi's musical career throughout the years from Get Heavy to The Arockalypse.

The Arockalypse has sold 350 000 units and cerified gold in Sweden and Germany and triple platinum status in Finland.

"Dark Floors – The Lordi Motion Picture DVD” went gold in Finland before its official released date, Friday June 13th.

Meanwhile, the band announced the tour schedule for the next weeks:

05.07.2008: Bergum, The Netherlands -
12.07.2008: Lisalmi, Finland
25.07.2008: Benatska Festival, Czech Republic
26.07.2008: Lorka Rock, Madrid, Spain
02.08.2008: Wacken, Germany
16.08.2008: Witney, UK
23.08.2008: Imatra, Finland

source

ESC Radio Awards 2008

Start voting for ESC Radio Awards 2008

The 42 songs and artists from this year's Eurovision Song Contest-2008, get a second chance. Between July 7 and July 13 the world-wide listeners of ESCRADIO.COM, the biggest online platform for Eurovision music, can vote for their favourites in four categories:


- Best Song 2008
- Best Female Artist 2008
- Best Male Artist 2008
- Best Group 2008

OGAE Home Composed Song Contest 2008

The 17th edition of the OGAE Home Composed Song Contest for amateur composers, lyricists and singers takes place this year, virtually hosted from Hamburg by Stefan Engel, winner of the 2007 edition. The deadline for the submission of the songs is 12th October2008.

Read more HERE

For more information visit the contest’s official site, here.

Helena Paparizou:Porta Gia Ton Ourano at VMA 2008

At the 5th edition of Mad Video Music Awards the sexy Helena Paparizou has won two awards: Best POP Videoclip - "To fili tis zois" and Artist of the year.

Watch her performing the song "Porta gia ton ourano (remix)" at MAD Video Music Awards 2008




The show will be broadcast on Alpha TV on Monday 23rd June at 21.00 and on Mad TV on 29th June.

Mad Video Music Awards 2008 -The Winners

And the winners are:

Best Videoclip Pop - Helena Paparizou - "To fili tis zois"

Best Male Singer - Sakis Rouvas

Best Female Singer - Despina Vandi

Artist of the year - Helena Paparizou

Fashion Icon Of the year - Peggy Zina


Helena Paparizou - Porta Gia Ton Ourano (Live at Mad VMA 08)-low quality




source and photos

Dima Bilan's new album "Protiv pravil"

The expected album of Dima Bilan "Protiv pravil" (Against the rules) has been released on 11 June.

The album "Protiv pravil" is the 4th album of Dima Bilan and was recorded in Los Angeles.The new album is the most important for Dima because the producer is the famous Timbaland. The CD has 14 songs and of course you can listen "Believe" both in english and russian.
Tha songs from this new album are in English, Russian and Spanish language.

The tracks of the album:

01 Against the rules listen below
02 All in your hands
03 As before
04 Believe
05 Coasts - Heavens
06 Cosmos
07 Melancholy
08 Mercury
09 Number one fan (Russian version)
10 Number one fan
11 Porque aun te amo listen below
12 Secreto
13 Winter is sorrow
14 World listen here


Against the rules



Dima Bilan - Against the rules
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Porque aun te amo



Dima Bilan - Porque aun te amo
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Will Andorra withdraw from Eurovision 2009?

esctoday.com reports:

Andorran broadcaster RTVA has not decided whether the Principality will participate or not at the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest, to be held in Russia.

After this year's disappointing results, Andorran Eurovision plans are now in stand-by and will remain like this until September, when RTVA is expected to announce Andorra's involvement or withdrawal from Eurovision 2009.

Tonight: Mad Video Music Awards 2008

Everything is ready for the 5th edition of Mad Video Music Awards.The show will start at 21.00 (20.00 CET) at the Melina Merkouri Theatre in Athens.















The guest list for the live performances includes many Eurovision related stars:

Peggy Zina (2002 national final)nominated for Best female singer; Fashion icon of the year

Kostas Martakis (2008 national final)nominated for the Sexy videoclip of the year

Helena Paparizou (2001, 2005 Greek entrant)nominated for Best videoclip pop;Best female singer; Best duet; Best artist of the year;Best videoclip of the year

Sakis Rouvas (2004 Greek entrant, 2006 Eurovision host)for Best male singer; Best videoclip-pop;Best artist of the year;

Tamta (2007 national final)for Best female singer; Fashion icon of the year.

Sofia Strati (2008 Cypriot national final)for Fashion icon of the year.

Chrispa (2008 national final)























Best female singer



UPD: THE WINNERS


source and photos:VMA

Dima Bilan singing Number One Fan at Muz TV Awards 2008

Dima Bilan, the winner of 2008 Eurovision Song Contest, won last night the Best Singer award at 2008 Muz TV Awards Russia.



In the video below Dima is singing Number One Fan:





See also:

Dima Bilan - Believe - 2008 Muz Tv Awards

Dima Bilan - Best Singer at Muz TV Awards 2008

Jenifer Lopez presenting Best Singer Award.






See also:

Dima Bilan singing Number One Fan at Muz TV Awards 2008

Dima Bilan - Believe - Muz Tv Awards 2008

Dima Bilan at Muz TV Awards 2008 - Believe

Dima Bilan,the winner of the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest, was awarded as Best Singer at Muz Tv Awards 2008 Russia.


Dima Bilan, Edvin Marton and Evgheny Pluschenko at Muz Tv Awards





See also:

Jenifer Lopez presenting Best Singer Award.

Dima Bilan singing Number One Fan at 2008 Muz TV Awards

Serebro at Muz Tv 2008

Serebro didn't win the Award they were nominated for, but they still provide one of the best performances of the evening, singing live their latest success Opium.

Serebro - Opium Muz TV 2008




Serebro Arrival at Muz TV 2008

JESC:Several minor changes in the format of the event

eurovision.tv reports:

At the Heads of Delegation meeting of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest, currently taking place in sunny Cyprus, the Steering Group introduced several minor changes in the format of the event. CyBC also revealed the design of the stage for this year's contest.

The Steering Group of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest also decided to give the back-up jury a 50% say in the outcome of the competition. According to the rules of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest, the back-up jury has to be a diverse group of people, and should include children.

The 2008 Junior Eurovision Song Contest, which is the 6th running, will take place on the 22nd of November in Lemesos, Cyprus. The show will be hosted by Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation, the presenters are unknown yet. The Host Broadcaster did reveal that the show will be hosted by a man and a woman, in the roles of Adonis and Aphrodite.

The second Heads of Delegation meeting, which also marks the deadline to officially enter songs, takes place on the 13th and 14th of October. The running order will be drawn during the October meeting as well.

CyBC revealed the stage design as well (photo). The set was designed by George Papadopoulos, who got inspired by previous Eurovision Song Contest stages, the theme Fun In The Sun and water that surrounds the island of Cyprus. The front side of the set will contain real water.

Ukraine to host 2009 Junior Eurovision Song Contest

Ukrainian broadcaster NTU has won the bid to host the 2009 Junior Eurovision Song Contest. The seventh running of the competition, which was introduced by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) in 2003, will take place in Kyiv. The election took place in Lemesos, Cyprus, where the 2008 running will take place.[..]

In 2005, NTU successfully hosted the Eurovision Song Contest in Kyiv.

"We are very proud and honoured to welcome children from all over Europe to Ukraine next year, and we are looking forward to host a great show," said Viktoria Romanova, Head of Delegation on behalf of NTU.

More informations here

source: eurovision.tv

Eurovision 2008:How the West has won

Herlad Sun
by Andrew Bolt

HOW bizarre. Russia thinks its win in last month's Eurovision song contest is a national triumph.

Even weirder is that Britain is still moaning over its assumed humiliation.

Just this week, Labour MPs even tabled a motion in the House of Commons demanding the BBC quit screening this "farcical event" after singing dustman Andy Abraham, a TV talent quest runner-up, came last, putting Britain once more in the basement with most of the rest of the West Europeans.

But steady, my tone-deaf friends. Eurovision produced the very opposite results to the ones you imagine.

Eurovision, of course, is not the most precise indicator of cultural power.

It may be the world's most popular song contest, but the acts that 100 million viewers switch on to watch each year are almost all of spectacular mediocrity. They're like pre-chewed food - tomorrow's "easy listening" music today.

Yet touchy Russia has still spent the past week and a half swaggering as if it had actually beaten Napoleon again - rather than been conquered by yet another Golden Horde. Its Dima Bilan was the first Russian in the competition's history to win first prize, leading to celebrations so mad that a Moscow News headline blared: "Russia in Ecstasy over Eurovision Win."

President Dmitry Medvedev publicly rang Bilan to congratulate him, while Prime Minister Vladimir Putin sent a telegram declaring this was "One more important triumph for all of Russia".

Except it wasn't. Bilan won not because he was being Russian, but because he was being Western. He sang in English a number inspired by Australian self-help guru Rhonda Byrne and produced by America's Timbaland which sounded, sadly, much like all that man's stuff.

It was no different with the two runners up: both the Ukrainian and Greek songs were typically Western genre songs sung in English. In fact, 17 of the 25 finalists sang in English, including even the French.

The ceremony, too, hosted in Belgrade, was conducted almost entirely in English.

So if the English had any sense of cultural history they'd take pride, not offence. Here is a tiny island nation whose language now provides the lyrics of international music, with 23 of Eurovision's 53 winning songs having been in English.

If top Western artists competed in Eurovision as top Eastern ones such as Bilan do, there'd be more trophies to take home, too, but when a Russian bear sings in English, you know the West has still won.

t.A.T.u. "220" new videoclip

«220» is the second single from the upcoming Russian album "Upravleniye Otbrosami" («Waste Management»).

"In the nearest future "220" will premiere on MTV (Ukraine), Viva! (Poland), MAD TV (Greece), MAD TV (Bulgaria) and on several Russian music channels.
MUZ-TV and MTV-Russia refused to play "220"."

tATu


"220"

Malta Song Board to fall under PBS

The responsibilities of the Malta Song Board will now be handed over to the PBS, as a new Board of Directors, headed by Dr. Clare Thake Vassallo has been appointed.Dr. Vassallo, who has already served on the Board for several years, is a senior lecturer at the Department of Translation and Interpretation within the Faculty of Arts.

She joined the Board in the year 2000, where she served for four years, after joining again in 2005 and was in charge of the restructuring of children’s programs on TVM.

Other members of the board include Joseph Bonello, Lara Tonna, Josef N. Grech and Isabelle Gatt.

Meanwhile, it was also announced, that the Malta Song Board will not be re-appointed.

Instead, the Board’s responsibility will fall under the remit of the PBS.

READ MORE....


source:OGAEMalta

Ani Lorak :Eurovision winner's party at SCALA

EUROVISION winner's party at London SCALA 31.05.08 with Dima Bilan (RUSSIA)and Ani Lorak (UKRAINE).

Ani Lorak - Simply the best

Dima Bilan - MIR (World) New song

Dima's new song "Mir" (World) from the new russian album (coming on 11th of June!)

Possible collaboration between Mihai Traistariu and Claudia Faniello

OGAEMALTA.com contacted Claudia Faniello's manager Trevor Fenech of Bubbles Entertainment to follow the story about a possible collaboration between the Romanian singer and composer, Mihai Traistariu and the local singer, Claudia Faniello.

Claudia, who is currently on a cruise as part of a realtiy show produced by Where's Everybody, is still awaiting an official invitation by the Romanian composer to finalise the deal proposed by Mihai himself.

In a recent press release, Mihai informed the international media that he has set his eyes on the Maltese singer, Claudia Faniello for whom he would like to write Malta's winning song for Eurovision 2009. "Claudia can win Eurovision with such a song", had commented a very optimistic Mihai.

"We are still waiting for the deal to start", confirmed Mr Fenech, "This is not the first time that Mihai has proposed us such a collaboration, however some 'interferences' from third parties set obstacles along the way. We are hoping that this time Mihai will keep his promise and come forward with his proposal", stated Claudia's manager.

On speaking with OGAEMALTA.com, Mr Fenech explained that Claudia is considering all possible options for her participation in next year's Malta Song for Europe. "She might not even participate! It is still early in the day", concluded Mr Fenech, who is quite aware that Claudia is being tipped as one of the hot favourites to win next year's Malta Song for Europe following her 2nd and 3rd place at the MSFE 2008.

In the meantime, Claudia Faniello's CARAVAGGIO will represent OGAE MALTA at the OGAE SECOND CHANCE CONTEST 2008, following a vote held among the members of OGAE MALTA.




source and photo: OGAE MALTA

Malta to stay in Eurovision Song Contest

OGAE Malta reports:

Malta will continue to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest, Culture Minister Dolores Cristina said tonight.

There had been many calls for Malta to withdraw from the contest after its disappointing results in the last three years. Just over 57% of respondents to a timesofmalta.com poll also said they were against Malta's continued participation.


But Mrs Cristina told Parliament that it was the view of the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts that Malta should continue to participate.

Kalomoira - Money Ain't the Key (feat Lisa Lee)

Money Ain't the Key (feat Lisa-Lee)
(Sanny X-V.Jam)
CD: Secret Combination: The Album





More songs from the new album here

Dima Bilan as Julius Caesar

Admirers of the Eurovision winner Dima Bilan want to set up a monument to their idol in Nizhni Novgorod.

According to their design, the pop star is to appear in the image of Emperor Julius Caesar, with a laurel wreath on his head.

The monument model was created by the artist before the Eurovision final. Russian pop music lovers explain such hurry by the certainty that Dima Bilan would win the contest in Belgrade.

The main problem is the absence of money for raising the monument.
However the fans pin their faith on support of Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, who was the first to congratulate Bilan with the victory at the popular European competition. They have already addressed an open letter to the new president with the request to procure the assets required.

source:russia-ic.com

EBU responds to allegations on voting

eurovision.tv reports:

On behalf of the EBU, Bjørn Erichsen, Director of Eurovision TV, responded to allegations questioning the legitimacy of the voting of this year's Eurovision Song Contest. The voting procedure of the contest has been criticised for neighbour voting and the diasporas voting.


The rules of the Eurovision Song Contest state that all viewers in the 43 participating countries can vote.

Erichsen: "If a viewer likes the song from a neighbouring country, they can vote for it, and if a Polish girl lives in Ireland she can vote for Poland. You cannot vote for your own country, from your own country. But the EBU and its partners do not - and should not have - any possibility of controlling the nationality, identity or preferences of the individual voter. If somebody were to seek to influence the voters to vote for a specific song, they would have to approach the 105 million audience to convince them. Ultimately, they would have to influence the entire potential 640 million audience in the EBU countries, as nobody knows who will switch on their TV that evening."

READ FULL ARTICLE...

Secret Combination The Album has been released

Kalomoira's 4th CD entitled "Secret Combination : The Album" has been released.














CD Cover


















CD Cover Last Page








The new album has 12 songs:


1: SECRET COMBINATION
2: ΣΤΟ ΔΙΚΟ ΜΟΥ ΡΥΘΜΟ
3: ALL THAT I NEED
4: FALL TO YOU
5: Σ' ΑΓΑΠΩ
6: ΚΑΘΕ ΦΟΡΑ
7: MONEY AIN'T THE KEY Featuring LISA LEE - listen
8: ΥΠΑΡΧΟΥΝ ΩΡΕΣ feat. Peter_D from MASTER TEMPO
9: ΣΤΟ ΕΙΠΑ ΧΙΛΙΑΔΕΣ ΦΟΡΕΣ
10:ΒΡΑΔΙΑΖΕΙ
11:ΗΟΤ
12:SECRET COMBINATION (Master Tempo Mix)


source:kalomoira.net

Kalomoira's ‘Secret Combination’ has hit the UK top 40

Kalomoira's "Secret Combination" has hit the UK top 40 chart mid-week at No.33 (peak) download sales.


The slick performance had confirmed Greece's superb result for a competition, which is deeply revered in that part of the Mediterranean - fetching approval ratings of 76% of Greeks who tuned in.

Kalomoira took the lead from the start. She admitted to experiencing all sorts of emotions herself - thinking she was on her way to a win, but gradually witnessed Greece dropping below Russia - after I saw us 'lagging 20 points behind Dima I ruled out the victory!'

Greece netted 218 points in total - with the the full marks coming from Romania, San Marino, Albania and Germany.

The UK 12-pointer to Greece, confirmed the British opinion of her as a cute, charming yet also fiesty, charismatic performer.

The "Secret Combination" had proved a hit with the listener, which has retained the No.1 favourite tune on the LGR TOP 20 Chart for a third consecutive week, on London’s definitive Greek chart run-down.

Kalomoira had thanked the loyally obedient fan for their overwhelming generosity in supporting Greece's initiative. "Thank you so much for being so sweet and for giving out your positive energy!"


source:London Greek Radio
photo:kalomoira.net

What Dima Bilan answered on RTE webchat

Following his Eurovision Song Contest success in Belgrade with 'Believe', Russian singer Dima Bilan was online on RTE for a webchat on Friday 30 May.


rufenia: What do you think of Dustin?
Dima Bilan: I think it's a brave move. I'd like to know more about how he was selected for the Eurovision.

Danny: Hi Dima, are there any plans to release Believe in the UK and Ireland?
Dima Bilan: Yes, sure. I'm finished my album for Europe. And I'll do a show in Ireland if you want. And I promise you will like my album because it came from my soul - and because this album was made together with the people who are now my friends., Jim Beanz and Ryan Tedder from One Republic - the whole Timbaland production team.

Read all his responses HERE