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12 more acts compete in Search for a Star

Friday, March 06, 2009, 15:07

The latest heat of Search for a Star on Sunday, March 8, promises to be an evening to remember as a vary of acts will take to the stage.

Not only will there be solo singers, but a band, a drummer, a dancer and even a street dance group.

Phillip Northmore, 24, from Eastville, who will be doing a hip hop dance routine, works as a glass collector in city centre nightclub Syndicate.

He said: "I've only ever danced before on nights out and in my bedroom. I'm looking forward to it – it should be a good experience."

Courtney Jones, from Trowbridge, will be drumming to a backing track of Daniel Bedingfield's Gotta Get Thru This.

The 17-year-old, who is studying music technology in Bath, has been playing the drums since he was six.

He said: "I hope it goes well – I want to make a career out of music, and become a session drummer."

Alan Green, 18, from Easton in Gordano, is in his final year at Gordano School and is going on to study at Bristol Institute of Modern Music (BIMM).

He will be playing guitar and singing two of his own songs. He has been writing songs since he was 14 and has recorded seven CDs.

"I do a lot of open mic nights," said Alan. "But this is my first time in Search for a Star."

Street dance groups Hype Juniors and Clowns Gone Wild will join forces to perform to a medley of songs.

The 14 youngsters, aged between 14 and 25, are managed by dance teacher Natasha Benjamin, 23, from Eastville.

She said: "The group comes from all over Bristol and they have been rehearsing for this for about two months."

The groups, which have not entered the competition before, have both won regional dance championships in the past year.

Four-piece rock band Class Apart, from Wells, will be performing two of their own songs, What Would You Do and Tonight.

They are Tom Cory, 14, on lead guitar and vocals, George Ruddle- Hellier, 14, on rhythm guitar and vocals, Hayden Allen, 14, on bass guitar and Paul Hawkins, 14, on the drums.

The band, who are all in Year 10, play gigs regularly and have eight coming up in the next few weeks.

Tom said: "We haven't taken part in the competition before as a band, but I once did the junior competition when I was about nine.

"We are looking forward to putting on a good show tomorrow."

Hannah Berney, 18, from Chepstow, finished second in last year's competition.

This year, she plans to sing At Last by Etta James and another song she has not decided on yet.

Hannah, who is in a pop funk band at college called Crash and Berney, said: "I would like to get placed in this year's competition because I am about to take a gap year and the money could help fund my travels."

Rebecca Taylor, 18, from Kingswood, has not taken part in Search for a Star before, but says she has performed in many shows and gigs, including the Edinburgh Festival.

She said: "I am planning on singing Summertime by Ella Fitzgerald and then maybe the Eva Cassidy version of Ain't No Sunshine. I am quite nervous but also excited about it."

Richard Gray, 32, from Weston- super-Mare, is the frontman for a local band but tomorrow night will be performing solo.

Richard, who is currently unemployed but planning to go back to college to study history, is engaged and has two young daughters.

He said: "I have done the competition before and got through to the semi-finals. I am really looking forward to giving it another shot."

Richard will be singing Dakota by the Stereophonics and another song which he has not decided on yet.

Holly Byrd, 20, from Mangotsfield, works as an optical assistant at Vision Express.

She has not taken part in Search for a Star before, but will be singing Warwick Avenue by Duffy and another song she has not chosen yet.

She said: "I am really excited about performing, I used to do some smaller competitions but nothing like this."

Charlotte Day from Bath will be singing Alannah Myles' Black Velvet and Eva Cassidy's version of Fields of Gold.

The 19-year-old, who is currently working as a PA, said: "I have only ever really done karaoke before this, I have never had any singing lessons or anything.

"I am looking forward to it but I am a bit nervous."

Louise Boyce 28, a check-out assistant from Brean, took part in last year's competition but didn't make it through the heats.

She said: "This year, I would like to get through to the next round. I will be singing Total Eclipse of the Heart by Bonnie Tyler and Lipstick on Your Collar by Connie Francis."

Rob Warren, 46, from Bedminster Down, is a porter at Bristol University.

This will be his fourth time in the competition and, although he has not decided on his songs, he says they will be up-tempo.

He said: "I am looking forward to it – I always do. I have never got past the first round but I haven't got any illusions of grandeur.

"I enjoy it, and it's just a hobby for me really."

The third heat will take place at 7.15pm at the Fry Club, Somerdale, on Sunday, March 8.

There is still time to get your applications in for the final two heats.

They will continue each Sunday for two more weeks and then there will be three semi-finals before the final on Sunday, May 17.

The first prize is £1,000, the second prize is £500, the third-place prize money is £250 and the fourth- placed performer will receive £150. Cost of admission to watch the heats is £3 for adults and £1 for under-18s.

To apply, fill out the entry form on this page and return it to the Fry Club and Conference Centre Somerdale, Keynsham, BS31 2AU.











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