Northern Irish musicians to compete for Eurovision

19 February 2009 -

Three budding Northern Irish musicians are gearing up in the battle to compete in this year's Eurovision song contest.

Shauna Kavanagh from Londonderry, also known as Derry, is entering the battle as part of a three-piece girl band called M.N.A..

Laura-Jayne Hunter, from Coleraine, will appear alone singing Out of Control in an attempt to clinch the entry, while the third Northern Irish competitor, Johnny Brady, will also sing solo.

Ms Hunter has previously been crowned winner of the 2008 Bright Young Things songwriter/performer competition in Leeds, where she studied at the College of Music.

She says it would be exciting if she got through the television competition to be Ireland's representative.

"As an experienced live performer, there is nothing I adore more than to connect emotionally with an audience which is actively enjoying my singing," the singer adds.

Belfast-born Mr Brady, who has been performing for more than ten years, will sing Amazing, written by Tony Adams Rosa.

Each budding star will face a television competition on Friday February 20th to decide who represents the country, with the verdict being reached by 50 per cent jury and 50 per cent public vote.