April 2009
A leading Belfast radio station has recently begun its search for Northern Ireland’s next big singing sensation.
Citybeat radio station is looking for kids aged between eight and16 to take part in the 2009 “Citybeat Young Star Search” sponsored by easyJet, Northern Ireland’s most loved airline.
Last year’s event enjoyed huge success, with eventual winners Rachel Pearson (12) from Dungannon and Caitlin McClurg (16) from Bangor polling the majority of over 25,000 listener votes.
Both went on to record a CD single and perform their winning songs in front of thousands of people at the annual Christmas Light Switch On held outside Belfast’s City Hall.
Local X Factor star Eoghan Quigg has also thrown his weight behind the “Citybeat Young Star Search” and recently launched this year’s competition in Belfast and the pop star has some advice for kids planning on taking part:
“Just believe in yourself and find the confidence to go all the way. When I entered X Factor it was a bit of a laugh to start with. Obviously things got more serious in the end, but it didn’t stop me enjoying the experience and I’d tell anyone else entering to go out and enjoy yourself and do your best”.
The contest will be hosted by Citybeat afternoon drive presenter Stuart Robinson and his side kick ‘Work Experience Boy’ who will be travelling around the country during the summer months visiting most of Northern Ireland’s shopping centres.
Commenting on the “Citybeat Young Star Search”, Stuart is excited about this year’s event:
“Last year we received almost one thousand entries and this year could be even bigger - so with that in mind we plan to host more heats in more locations all over Northern Ireland.”
Stuart adds, “We’ve also some great prizes lined up for this year’s winners including a massive shopping spree, the opportunity to record their very own CD single and because easyJet is celebrating its ‘Summer of Love’, the winners will get the chance to board the easyJet love plane with their family to somewhere like Paris, Malaga, Amsterdam, London or Barcelona.”
The Citybeat Young Star Search, will be holding auditions next month at Movie House, Yorkgate (Cityside) with successful young singers then progressing into their local heat.
Judges including top Northern Ireland DJ/Producer Mickey Modelle will help select three singers from each heat to face the weekly public vote.
Citybeat listeners then get the casting vote to determine which hopeful will represent that area in the contest’s finals which will take place in August.
Citybeat 96.7/102.5FM now want to hear from any young people looking to take part.
There will be a junior category for those aged eight to12, and a senior category for 13-16 year olds - however anyone interested should hurry to book his or her audition as demand is expected to be high and audition spaces will be allocated on a first come basis
To enter, call 02890 234967 during office hours or apply online at www.citybeat.co.uk
(Photo caption: X Factor star Eoghan Quigg launching this years competition with Citybeat Afternoon Drive Presenters Stuart Robinson and 'Work Experience Boy')