The Norwegian artist Jan Eggum, who has composed an entry for the Norwegian national finals, Melodi grand prix this year, wants to see more of Norway's established pop stars putting themselves forward for the Eurovision Song Contest.
Eggum participated in the Norwegian finals in 1988 with Deilige Drøm, (Delightful Dreams), which ended last. He also composed the song Rudi in 1980, which Nina Askeland ended third with in the Norwegian finals. This year he and his girlfriend, Kaia Huuse, have composed Creator, one of the songs in the Norweigan finals.
In an article in the Norwegian newspaper, Dagbladet, Eggum critises his colleagues for not taking part in the Eurovision Song Contest. Among the artists he thinks should contribute there are stars like Marit Larsen (former member of M2M), Bertine Zetlitz, Morten Abel and Kurt Nilsen (World Idol winner).
The manager for Bertine Zetlitz and Marit Larsen says that it's not an issue, and will never be, to participate in Eurovision Song Contest.
The critic from Eggum is especially about three things:
- Norwegian artists don't find ESC "classy enough", and are afraid what participating could doto their career.
- In recent years, the majority of the Norwegian final songs have been written by foreign artists.
- The Eurovision Song Contestisn't serious enough. It's to much glam, sparkles and doesn't focus on the music any more.
