Creative Scotland, BBC Alba/Scotland and Hands Up for Trad are very happy to announce that songwriter Willie Campbell from Lewis has won through to the Liet International European Minority Language Song Competition. His song Fir Chlis was judged by the panel to be an excellent fit for the competition and a great song!
Willie Campbell was born and raised in Lewis before moving to Glasgow. He was a member of Astrid who were signed to major label. After having some wonderful experiences with the band he moved home to Lewis 10 years ago where he continues to write and perform.
Willie Campbell said:
“I’m absolutely delighted that Fir Chlis has been chosen as the Scottish entry for Liet songs. It was great fun to write and record, thrilled to be getting the opportunity to play it to a wider audience. Singing in Gaelic is fairly new to me, I feel encouraged and greatly appreciate the panel deciding it was suitable.”
Brian Ó hEadhra, Creative Scotland said:
“Willy Campbell has been doing great work with contemporary Gaelic song over the past year or so. He has been collaborating with Lewis singer songwriter Calum Martin and was supported by Creative Scotland’s Creative Futures funding programme to develop this work. It was showcased at the Glasgow Gaelic club Ceòl is Craic earlier this year and I know that Willy will do a great job in promoting our contemporary Gaelic music at Liet International in December. We wish him all the best.”
Liet International is an annual event where singers and bands from across Europe compete to win best song in a European minority language. This year the event will take place in Oldenburg in Germany on Friday 12 December 2014. This multi-linguistic competition has singers attending from all over Europe including countries such as Norway, Germany, Italy, Netherlands and draws substantial media attention. For more information on Liet International please visit: www.liet-international.com/nieuws/liet-international-2014-in-oldenburg-germany
Scottish Gaelic and Scots singers and bands were asked to submit a song in either language to be selected to partake at the event in December. Any style of music was allowed so long as the song is newly composed and has not been widely published or promoted to date.
This promotion is supported by Creative Scotland working in partnership with BBC Alba/Scotland, Hands Up for Trad and Liet International.
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For more information please contact Hands Up for Trad, Melville House, 70 Drymen Road, Bearsden, Glasgow G61 2RH
www.handsupfortrad.scot
info@handsupfortrad.scot
07775854572
Willie Campbell www.williecampbell.co.uk
