CHANCE FOR ANOTHER GROUP TO HIT THE TOP
Contest winners can scoop £15,000 and record deal
Hi Mark here,
EVERY day I think how lucky I am to have this life with Westlife. I know how
fortunate I am to be in this position. It is so difficult to get the breaks
in showbusiness.
There are so many talented singers out there, dreaming their dreams, who may
never be so lucky. So much of it has got to do with luck, being in the right
place at the right time and being seen by the right people.
We were so lucky to catch the ear of Boyzone's manager Louis Walsh, the man
who has now steered us to the top. He spotted us on an RTE show where we did
a brief performance and he recognised that we had something to offer.
Talent
I mention this today because there's a great new talent contest coming
up and our manager Louis Walsh is one of the celebrity judges.
It's the Digifone Headstart Competition which will be staged all around the
country and the aim is to find a new Irish pop-rock group, which, hopefully,
will go on to international success.
The total prize fund is very substantial, worth £15,000, and, even more
importantly, the winning group will get a recording deal with the
high-powered international Warner Brothers record company.
This is a fabulous opportunity for some new act because you need the backing
of a major record company in order to achieve success in this business.
While it may seem that we got it handy, it wasn't easy for Westlife to get a
record deal at the start I still remember the disappointment we experienced
when the first major record company turned us down.
Luckily, we finally got signed up, but it was a worrying time.
At least the group which wins the Digifone Headstart contest is guaranteed a
deal with Warners and that's worth so much. You have no idea how important
it is.
The competition will start in May around the country with a series of
regional heats building up to the grand final in Dublin, where the winning
band will bc selected by a panel of judges that includes our own Louis Walsh
2FM DJ Tony Fenton and representatives of both Digifone and Warner Brothers.
Bands interested in entering this competition should send a demo tape to
Headstart Competition, P0 Box 3606, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, by Friday, April
14.
MY three-year-old granddaughter Hayley Lewis is mad into Westlife. Every
picture Hayley sees of them she has to get. Hayley tells everyone that Kian
Egan is her boyfriend. I hope that some day Hayley gets to meet Westlife,
especially Kian.
Madeline Lewis, Roscrea, co Tipperary.
When you performed at the Childline concert I sat enthralled throughout the
performance. It was the highlight of the night for me. For my 12th birthday
my sister has promised me a Westlife surprise. I can't wait.
Lorraine Maher, Co Kilken-ny.
THE security guard wouldn't allow me to throw my teddy bear up to ya at the
Childline concert. I still have it and when you come to Ireland again I'll
make sure the teddy gets to you. When are you coming to do a concert?
Jennifer Hanrahan, Kilcock, Co Kildare.
YOU guys are the best thing that ever happened to the Sunday World
newspaper. My favourite is Shane, he's really cute and gorgeous looking. It
is my dream to meet Westlife. I hope you are successful in the future. Good
luck, lads.
Maria Devine, Letterkenny, Co Doneqal.
I WATCHED you on Childline and you brilliant and gorgeous, especially Nicky
and Shane. I love the new style, lads. Fool Again is definitely going to be
your next number one.
Mary Flynn, Dungarvan, Co Waterford.
I JUST want to say, Shane, you are the sexiest man in the world. I love you
lots.
Maria Stevenson, Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin.
WRITE TO Westlife Column, PO Box 1263, 18 Rathfarnham Road, Dublin 6
