The second Danish qualification heat was officially declared open at a welcome � reception this afternoon. esctoday.com was present in order to present you the latest from Denmark.
One of the big favourites to win a spot for the final is Jørgen Olsen who won the Eurovision Song Contest in 2000 with Fly on the wings of love, as part of The Olsen Brothers. On the way to the reception he revealed himself as a big Beatles fan as he ended up in a discussion about which guitars George Harrison played on in different songs. This matches quite well with Jørgen’s comment in 2000 about being more proud of the "12 points from England", the home of Beatles, than winning the whole contest.
Jørgen Olsen also pointed out the head office of the record company CMC on the way to the City Hall for the reception: “And here you see a magnificent building, guess who sponsored that?”. Giving a hint to the fact that CMC signed a new contract with the Olsen Brothers shortly before the 2000 Danish final. At that time they hadn’t had a hit for a long time and CMC got them cheap, but the company definitely struck gold as the Olsen Brothers won the Eurovision Song Contest.
When asked why he participates again after having already achieved the biggest goal he answers:
“It is a fantastic show which you just don’t want to miss out on. I am not the type who plays lotto hoping to win, but the Dansk Melodi Grand Prix I am always ready to take part in”.
Are you a fan yourself: “Oh, yes – definitely. But it is not always I am able to watch the show due to work, but I always keeps track of what is happening”
The opening reception was held by Ernst Trillingsgaard, chief of Aalborghallen who host the show and Aalborg’s mayor, Henning G. Jensen. Ernst started by explaining how proud Aalborghallen is to have been chosen as host and Henning contributed saying that the whole of Aalborg is behind this show and that the city is always ready for Dansk Melodi Grand Prix whether it is a qualification heat or a final as last year.
A special Melodi Grand Prix cake had been made and Aud Wilken, Jørgen Olsen and Stig Rossen, three of the participants were asked to cut the cake before the mayor would continue. As he said then he didn’t want to put people through the torture of listening to him while looking at the delicious cake. He then told all involved, participants as well as the press to be proud of the what they are doing: “Some will say that Melodi Grand Prix is nothing, but please don’t listen to that. Melodi Grand Prix is something special and to being a part of it is something big”.
During the reception Stig Rossen took his time to explain to esctoday.com what makes an international musical star participate in the Danish selection after an absence of 19 years.
Stig, what makes you want to take part in the Dansk Melodi Grand Prix again?
“Simply because I love both the Dansk Melodi Grand Prix and the Eurovision Song Contest. I am a big fan of the contest and then I feel that the contest has somehow come home as it is now open to more styles of music”.
Can we expect a song in your usually musical style?
“No, it is not musical, but a real power ballad a la Johnny Logan” and then Stig started singing “I’ve been waiting such a long time, looking out for you, but you are not there…” (Ireland 1980).
What is your own personal favourite among all the Eurovision songs?
“There are so many great songs, but if I have to point one out then it must be Carola’s Främling”. Stig started singing this Swedish entry from 1983 and let it said right away that there is no doubt that Stig really is a big fan as shortly after he was singing The Shadows’ Let me be the one (United Kingdom 1975) which he mentioned as another of his favourite songs.
Stig Rossen then talked about his participation in the Danish final in 1988 with the song Vi danser rock og rul: "I was so nervous, I was shaking at that time, but thank God, I am more experienced now. I am calm, but can’t wait to get it started".
What do you expect for tomorrow?
“It is hard to tell because there are so many great songs this time. There are a couple of the songs I haven’t personally heard yet, but it will be a strong competition as the ones I have heard all have a good chance”.
In 1988 you became famous for your atlethic "Arabic – jump" – can you still do that?
"Yes, and if I win in Horsens I have promised to do it again.. and I will keep that promise. So in Horsens or Helsinki you'll definitely see it ."
Stig ended with singing the chorus of It’s a beautiful day which Katrine Falkenberg will be singing in the second Danish qualification heat. It is a nice ballad with a catchy chorus easy to remember. Time will tell if the rest of us also will be singing "Hey, hey, hey, it’s a beautiful day" tomorrow evening.
Tonight there is a welcome party for all the participants and the press although the format of the party has changed a little bit as Denmark has qualified for the semi-final at the handball World Cup. Knowing that the whole country will be watching handball they have added some big screens making it a combined Melodi Grand Prix/handball party!
