Eurovision Song Contest 2012
Eurovision Song Contest 2012
I always love it when readers contact me about their favorite artists or albums. One particular reader provides me with regular updates regarding her preferred singer. Agnes Soom of Uniontown, recently called me to let me know it is Engelbert Humperdinck’s birthday May 2 and that the veteran English crooner singer will be proudly representing his country as this year’s UK entry in the Eurovision Song Contest to be held in May. For the competition, Humperdinck will be performing a moving ballad written by Grammy award-winning producer Martin Terefe and Sacha Skarbek, who has co-written songs for Lana Del Rey and James Blunt. The new single, “Love Will Set You Free,” debuted at #1 on Amazon.com charts. The soon-to-be 76-year-old Humperdinck will be the oldest singer to ever take part in the contest. Humperdinck is confident he can bring home the title, relying on his 45 years of music business experience recording hits such as “There Goes My Everything,” “A Man Without Love,” “Release Me” and “After the Lovin.” Soom is excited about the contest and hopes Humperdinck can place the UK back in the spotlight after several disappointing years in the competition. The last UK act to win the Eurovision Song Contest was Katrina and the Waves back in 1997 with “Love Shine a Light.” In addition to the song contest, Soom will also be looking forward to a new album by the music legend. Humperdinck has been working in London on the new release and has recorded a new song written by Dan Wilson, former lead singer and songwriter of Semisonic. Most American fans with recognize the band’s 1999 hit “Closing Time.” I know Soom will feverishly keep me current with how things unfold for her best-loved singer. I’m also hoping she saves me a piece of birthday cake.