"We only sing when we‘re minging!"
by Laura Hearn, Wednesday 28th May, 2003.
UK Eurovision flops Jemini; Chris Cromby aged 21 and Gemma Abbey aged 20, pictured above, have defiantly vowed to forge ahead with a career in showbusiness despite their disastrous performance at the Song Contest held in Latvia last Saturday (24th May). The duo made history by becoming the first entry to fail to muster a single vote for their country.
Their now notorious song "Cry Baby" had a midweek position of No.15 in the UK charts, but with their debut album looming for release in Autumn 2003, and a follow up single out in August, Jemini could have a mountain to climb to make a successful comeback. Since the bad publicity the band has endured, they have commented that in the end it may be doing them a favour. They believed part of the problem on the night was due to the monitor speakers, making it difficult for the couple to hear themselves.
Chris Cromby and Gemma Abbey who make up the pop act first met eight years ago at Liverpool‘s Starlight stage school. They spent two years touring pubs and clubs in the UK performing Stevie Wonder, Randy Crawford and Mowtown covers. They are hoping that by combining their love for classics and current pop they will storm the charts. Martin Isherwood who is head of music at Paul McCartney‘s Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts wrote the song that garnered nul points. The two best friends share the same management company (Integral Management) with Atomic Kitten, possibly Liverpool's best-known pop export of recent times.
Following Saturday‘s spectacular failure there has been continuing speculation and controversy over the embarrassing nul points that they were awarded. Their pop flop has raised questions as to why the pair did so badly in the competition regarded as the ultimate camp "tack fest". Was it really due to politics? Terry Wogan who hosted the Eurovision Song Contest, believes it was a backlash over the UK‘s policies over the recent war in Iraq.
The UKs failure in the contest has generated criticism in how we choose entrants and some have even suggested we pitch household names such as Robbie Williams in to the fray.
Keep a close look at celebrities worldwide to get the latest information on Jemini, we will be monitoring their progress with interest.
on a more positive note.....
KIDS TO RESCUE EUROVISION FORTUNES
After Britain‘s ‘nil point‘ shame in the Eurovision Song Contest this weekend, ITV1announced on the 19th May that it is giving youngsters the chance to do better.
The first JUNIOR EUROVISION SONG CONTEST will be held in Denmark in November. The two-hour live show from Copenhagen‘s Forum Arena will showcase eight- to 15-year-olds from 16 nations, performing their own compositions in their native language.
Now the hunt is on for Britain‘s top young musical talent to represent the UK, with viewers choosing the best in a national final to be broadcast live on ITV1 on Saturday 6 September.
Using the same voting format as the adult version, JUNIOR EUROVISION is open to solo performers and bands, all of whose members must be within the age group. Songs should be no longer than three minutes in duration and have been written by one or more of the performers, with only strictly limited adult help. They must not have been previously released.
Instituted by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), the contest builds on the huge success of a similar competition in recent years between Scandinavian countries. Carlton Television is closely involved with its development, and will be host broadcaster in 2004.
Carlton‘s Controller of Entertainment, Mark Wells, who chairs the contest steering group, said: "Despite our setback this week at the Eurovision Song Contest, the UK boasts a wealth of young songwriting and performing talent. This contest will celebrate that fact, giving Britain‘s future Britney Spears and Justin Timberlakes a fantastic chance to make their mark on the European stage, in front of a live TV audience of many millions."
To enter the JUNIOR EUROVISION SONG CONTEST, send a cassette tape or CD of your song with a photograph of yourself and a covering letter to JUNIOR EUROVISION SONG CONTEST, PO BOX 4307, LONDON W1A 7YJ.
David Jensen Photography:
https://www.davidjensen.co.uk/
