2010 Grand Prix der Volksmusik Vorentscheid

Well, it is that time of year where the nominees for the annual Grand Prix der Volksmusik competition finalists has been determined. As many of you know, each country (Austria, Germany, Sudtirol & Switzerland) will have 4 representatives from each country that were determined in each country's competition. Then they send those top 4 to the final competion being held in Vienna next week on August 28, 2010.

If you go to the Grand Prix website here are a few things to make note of. You will see that Rudy Giovannini (interview with Stimmung Stunde 2006) competed in Sudtirol (link to uTube)

and was accompanied by the Vinschger

(interview with Stimmung Stunde 2007). Those of you who get the DISH German shows may have seen that competition in Sud Tirol. I did not get a chance to see the Grand Prix vorentscheid for Germany because we were in Germany at the time, but I am very disappointed that Feller & Feller (interview with Stimmung Stunde 2005) did not make the finals. Hansi Feller is a very talented singer/song writer and one of my favorites.

Those of you who watch German TV will notice that Florian Fesl is in the competition with Belsy as a duo. He was on the Immer Wieder Sonntags show all summer last year and lost the competion the very last week. Birgit Langer was the lead singer with Fernando Express for many years. The band has disbanded and she is starting a solo career. I saw her in Germany when we were at the Anni & Moni 20th Anniversary show and talked to her

about her new plans to be a solo act.

Here is a list of artists and their songs that will be in the finals on August 28 in Vienna. They are in the order they came in at their own country's competition and in some cases I have links to their webpages.

Please click on the Comments at the bottom of this posting and let us know who you predict to be the winner this year.

Austria

Marco Ventre & Band -- Sehnsucht wargestern

Junge Paldauer -- A Bass, a Gitarr und a Ziehharmonika

Die Woertherseer -- Komm tanzen mi amor

Die Grubertaler -- Wenn, dann jetzt

Germany

Die Berg Kameraden -- Cantata di Montagua

Angela Wiedl -- Der Liebe Gott macht das schon

Florian Fesl & Belsy Duo -- I hab Di gern

Birgit Langer - Komm und fang mit mir den Sonnenschein

Sudtirol

Volxrock -- Was macht das Edelweiss in meiner Supp'n

Geschwester Niederbacher -- Ein Leid fur Mama

Alex Pezzei & die Groedner Alphornblaeser --

Die Bergdiamanten -- Teures Heimatland

Switzerland

Nicolas Senn -- Feuer und Flamme

Yasmine-Melanie -- Traenen gehoeren zum Leben

Stixi & Sonja mit dem Jodelclug Alpenblueme -- Bete zu unserm Herrgott

Orig. Voralpen-Express -- Pfeif einfach drauf

Yipee !!!! Vincent & Fernando won the Grand Prix 2009

I jumped out of my chair last night when they announced that Vincent & Fernando won the Grand Prix der Volksmusik 2009, with their song Der Engel von Marienhof. As we were watching the show, Ted Hierl, from New Jersey called to see if I had heard that Vincent & Fernando had won (he knows I am a big fan). We also talked about the upcoming cruise he has organized with the Orig. Naabtal Duo (see sidebar on left). I am so glad that he called to tell me. We continued watching the show and as the voting results started... Vincent & Fernando, 12 pts; Vincent & Fernando, 12 pts; BOOM our power went OUT !!! We sat there in the dark for about a minute before it started up again. If Ted had not called, I would have been a basket case. Started up the computer again and found that Vincent & Fernando had a perfect score of 36. This time there was no doubt who the winner was. Last year there were two tie breakers and they landed in 2nd place for the 3rd year in a row.

Second place, representing Germany, went to the Bergkameraden & Oswald Sattler -- Ich traume von der Heimat
Third, from Austria was: Pfarrer Franz Brei & Signum -- Das Leben...

If you want the full list and in what order they fell, go to http://www.gpvolksmusik.at/. We congratulate all the artists that took part in the competition. It is an honor for anyone that participates in this event and I am looking forward to next year's competition.

2009 Austria's Vorentscheid results

All the finalists are listed at the Grand Prix der Volksmusik website and they will be competing in Munich on August 29. While I was on vacation in Austria/Germany I was lucky enough to meet Bernd Roberts. He was going to compete in the Austrian Vortentscheid on May 30, so I was lucky enough to see this talented singer entertain us live at Hotel Alexander in Austria. Unfortunately, Bernd Roberts did not make the finalists. One of the big surprises was that a newcomer, Pfarrer Franz Brei & Signum, made it to the finals. Here is a list of the finalists who will be representing Austria on August 29.

Pfarrer Franz Brei & Signum -- Das Leben...

Die Grubertaler -- Du darfst beim Autofahrn'n nit auf die Maedels schau'n

Leona & Swen -- Mach das nochmal mit mir

Andreas Gabalier -- So liab hob i di

Austria

Austria's vorentscheid original list that competed on May 30.

Natalie Holzner -- Alles fuer's Herz

Helga Frank -- Das Karussell dreht sich weiter

Pfarrer Franz Brei & Signum -- Das Leben...

Die Jungen Zillertaler -- Drobn auf'm Berg

Die Grubertaler -- Du darfst beim Autofahrn'n nit auf die Maedels schau'n

Bernd Roberts -- Hoer auf den Herz

Melanie -- I g'hoer nur dir

Zillertaler Gipfelstuermer -- Ich moechte mir Dir die Sunn aufgehn sehn

Leona & Swen -- Mach das nochmal mit mir

Yves -- Mama

Dunja -- Meine Liebe zu dir

Zellberg Buam -- Sing ma no oan

Andreas Gabalier -- So liab hob i di

Die Aufgeiger -- Sommerfieber

Steirerbluat -- Wir sind alle keine engel

2009 Deutschen Vorentscheid Results

Finally, I had a chance to watch the Deutschen Vorentscheid for the annual Grand Prix der Volksmusik competition back on May 21. I enjoyed the show but my own personal favorites did not make the finals. My favorites have a lot to do with the fact that I have met some of them in the past and, of course, I was rooting for them, like, Reiner Kirsten. That is because we were able to meet him last year on Ted Hierl's Hawaii Cruise in 2008. The song by Gunther Behrle author that Claudia Dechant sang, Nimm diesen Ring, also did not make the finals. However, Judith & Mel's song, Liebe gibt - Liebe nimmt, which was written by Mel Jersey did make the finals and so did Claudia & Alexx. Each country has announced their finals and you will find them listed at the Grand Prix website. Note I have again included links to the singers' webpages below.

The results of the finalists going from Germany to the finals in Munich on August 29 are:

Bergkameraden & Oswald Sattler -- Ich traume von der Heimat

Judith & Mel -- Liebe gibt - Liebe nimmt

Claudia & Alexx -- Mama, danke

Rico Seith -- Tausen Augen Hoffnung

Germany

Here is the original list that competed at Germany's vorentscheid on May 21.

Vladimir Boldt -- Alle Sterne schaun Dir zu

Isartaler Hexen -- Brave Maedchen kommen in den Himmel

Zipfelbuben -- Das gibt sich bis 70

Bergkameraden & Oswald Sattler -- Ich traume von der Heimat

Benjamin Grund -- In nomine patris

Florian Fesl -- Lass uns wieder Freunde sein

Judith & Mel -- Liebe gibt - Liebe nimmt

Claudia & Alexx -- Mama, danke

Licht -- Mut zur Liebe

Claudia Dechant -- Nimm diesen Ring

Reiner Kirsten -- Signora Come stai

Rico Seith -- Tausen Augen Hoffnung

Schlagerfeuer -- Unsere Erde

Dorfrocker -- Unter'm Tanzboden sitzt der Teufel

Bel Amis -- Vaterunser

2009 Sudtirol Vorentscheid results of Grand Prix der Volksmusik

Yes, the results of ALL the vorentscheids can be seen at the Grand Prix der Volksmusik website. During the Sudtirol Voretnscheid, we were on a two week bus tour of Austria/German with Gisela Lewis and Peter Matthai of the Sandlers. It was a fabulous trip, but I will report on that later.

First I would like to show you the results of the Vorentscheid that was held in Sudtirol on May 8. I was very happy to see that one of my favorites, Vincent & Fernando made it to the finals.

If you go to the Grand Prix website here are a few things to make note of. When you see the name Fabio Omero under Komponist and/or Text, that is the name Rudy Giovannini uses to write under. The song that Vincent & Fernando are competing with this year, was written by Rudy.

Also, note that Sauguat is competing this year ... again (they were disqualified last year).

The 4 finalists from Sudtirol who will be competing on August 29 in Munich are:

Vincent & Fernando -- Der Engel von Marienberg

Sauguat -- Mein Reschen am See

Volxrock -- Wenn du kannst

Alex & die Groedner Alphorn Blaeser -- Wenn i auf Bergeshoehen steh

Sudtirol

Sudtirol's vorenscheid was on May 8. Here is the original list that competed.

Das Schlernsextett -- Andreas Hofer

Vincent & Fernando -- Der Engel von Marienberg

Die Vaiolets -- Die Blume die im Herzen blueht

Die 4 Suedtiroler -- Ein ganzes herz voll Jahresringe

Patrick & seine Freunde -- Ein gutes Wort

Konrad Goller & Corinne -- Farben der Liebe

Bergfeuer -- Himalaya

Samira Dalnodar -- Kinder und Blumen

Sauguat -- Mein Reschen am See

Die Pustertaler -- Ohne die Musig

Graziano -- Romantica

Die Hopfenmusig -- Sudtiroler Marsch

Volxrock -- Wenn du kannst

Alex & die Groedner Alphorn Blaeser -- Wenn i auf Bergeshoehen steh

Etschland Express & Marion -- Wenn ich die Berge seh

Swiss Vortenscheid Results for 2009 Grand Prix der Volksmusik

Switzerland's vorenscheid was last night, April 25. Four entries will go to the finals in Munich on August 29. Unfortunately, the song that Mario Wolf & Christoph Purtscheller of the Alpentrio Tirol wrote and sung by Maria DaVinci, Jeder Herzschlag fur dich, did not make it to the finals. However, I am very happy to report that Sarah Jane will again be in the finals for this year's Grand Prix der Volksmusik.

Sarah Jane -- Bliib doch bi mir
Geni Good & seine Glarner Oberkrainer -- Chlefeler Schtimmig
Stefan Roos & Saengerfreunde -- Das Herz einer Mutter
Gruppe Plauschler - Ich kann nicht aufhoern dich zu lieben

Three vorenscheids are still left. Keep checking back to see the results.

Austria - May 30
Germany - May 21
Sudtirol - May 8

Switzerland
Here is the list of original entries.

Sarah Jane -- Bliib doch bi mir
Geni Good & seine Glarner Oberkrainer -- Chlefeler Schtimmig
Stefan Roos & Saengerfreunde -- Das Herz einer Mutter
Salvo -- Grad wie im 7. Himmel
Gruppe Plauschler - Ich kann nicht aufhoern dich zu lieben
Christian Duss -- Das Liebeslied der Berge
Maria DaVinci -- Jeder Herzschlag fuer dich
Roman Peters -- La vita e bella
Orig. Voralpen-Express -- sag mir das, sag mir was
Yasmine-Melanie -- Schenk' mir heut' ein bisschen Zeit
Pascal G -- Tu Mi Corazon
Michelle & Philipp mit Wirbelwind -- Wenn du mein Herz beruehrst

2009 Grand Prix der Volksmusik

Well, it is that time of year where the nominees for the annual Grand Prix der Volksmusik competition has started. As many of you know, each country (Austria, Germany, Sudtirol & Switzerland) will have a preliminary (vorentsteid) competition in their own countries and then send the top 4 to the final competion being held in Munich on August 29, 2009.

Happily, Vincent & Fernando are competing this year for Sudtirol again. Last year their song, Glaube an Gott was in a tie with the Klostertaler, and after 2 tie breakers they lost out. Hopefully, they will be successful this year. These talented brothers were the first entertainers I interviewed when Tim was still hosting the Stimmung Stunde. That interview aired in April 2004 and you can still hear it by CLICKING HERE. We certainly hope they make number one this year.

Also, Reiner Kirsten, from Germany, is competing. He was the featured entertainer on Ted Hierl's Hawaii Cruise in 2008. Many of the passengers enjoyed the Schwarzwald boy's beautiful songs and his charming personnality on that cruise and I know they will be rooting for him.

If you go to the Grand Prix website here are a few things to make note of. You might note the name Fabio Omero under Komponist and/or Text, that is name Rudy Giovannini uses to write under. Even Vincent & Fernando's song is from him this year. Also, note that Sauguat is competing this year ... again (they were disqualified last year).

The Germany listing shows Gunther Behrle as the author of the song that Claudia Dechant sings, Nimm diesen Ring. Judith & Mel's song, Liebe gibt - Liebe nimmt, was written by Mel Jersey. The music for the song that Benjamin Grund sings, In nomine patris, was written by Benjamin Grund. Claudia & Alexx are again among the contests and have gotten very close in the past. Those of you who watch German TV will notice that Florian Fesl is in the competition. He was on the Immer Wieder Sonntags show all summer and lost the competion the very last week.

Switzerland's Maria Da Vinci sings Jeder Herzschlag fuer dich. The music and text were written by Mario Wolf & Christoph Purtscheller, who are in the Alpentrio Tirol. I wonder why they did not have an artist from Austria perform their song.

Each country has announced their nominees and you will find them listed below or go to the Grand Prix website for more details. Note there are links to the singers' webpages below. Some of them even have samples of their songs at their websites that you can listen to.

Austria

Austria's vorentscheid will be May 30.

Natalie Holzner -- Alles fuer's Herz

Helga Frank -- Das Karussell dreht sich weiter

Pfarrer Franz Brei & Signum -- Das Leben...

Die Jungen Zillertaler -- Drobn auf'm Berg

Die Grubertaler -- Du darfst beim Autofahrn'n nit auf die Maedels schau'n

Bernd Roberts -- Hoer auf den Herz

Melanie -- I g'hoer nur dir

Zillertaler Gipfelstuermer -- Ich moechte mir Dir die Sunn aufgehn sehn

Leona & Swen -- Mach das nochmal mit mir

Yves -- Mama

Dunja -- Meine Liebe zu dir

Zellberg Buam -- Sing ma no oan

Andreas Gabalier -- So liab hob i di

Die Aufgeiger -- Sommerfieber

Steirerbluat -- Wir sind alle keine engel

Germany

Germany's vorentscheid will be on May 21

Vladimir Boldt -- Alle Sterne schaun Dir zu

Isartaler Hexen -- Brave Maedchen kommen in den Himmel

Zipfelbuben -- Das gibt sich bis 70

Bergkameraden & Oswald Sattler -- Ich traume von der Heimat

Benjamin Grund -- In nomine patris

Florian Fesl -- Lass uns wieder Freunde sein

Judith & Mel -- Liebe gibt - Liebe nimmt

Claudia & Alexx -- Mama, danke

Licht -- Mut zur Liebe

Claudia Dechant -- Nimm diesen Ring

Reiner Kirsten -- Signora Come stai

Rico Seith -- Tausen Augen Hoffnung

Schlagerfeuer -- Unsere Erde

Dorfrocker -- Unter'm Tanzboden sitzt der Teufel

Bel Amis -- Vaterunser

Sudtirol

Sudtirol's vorenscheid will be May 8.

Das Schlernsextett -- Andreas Hofer

Vincent & Fernando -- Der Engel von Marienberg

Die Vaiolets -- Die Blume die im Herzen blueht

Die 4 Suedtiroler -- Ein ganzes herz voll Jahresringe

Patrick & seine Freunde -- Ein gutes Wort

Konrad Goller & Corinne -- Farben der Liebe

Bergfeuer -- Himalaya

Samira Dalnodar -- Kinder und Blumen

Sauguat -- Mein Reschen am See

Die Pustertaler -- Ohne die Musig

Graziano -- Romantica

Die Hopfenmusig -- Sudtiroler Marsch

Volxrock -- Wenn du kannst

Alex & die Groedner Alphorn Blaeser -- Wenn i auf Bergeshoehen steh

Etschland Express & Marion -- Wenn ich die Berge seh

Switzerland

Switzerland's vorenscheid will be April 25.

Sarah Jane -- Bliib doch bi mir

Geni Good & seine Glarner Oberkrainer -- Chlefeler Schtimmig

Stefan Roos & Saengerfreunde -- Das Herz einer Mutter

Salvo -- Grad wie im 7. Himmel

Gruppe Plauschler - Ich kann nicht aufhoern dich zu lieben

Christian Duss -- Das Liebeslied der Berge

Maria DaVinci -- Jeder Herzschlag fuer dich

Roman Peters -- La vita e bella

Orig. Voralpen-Express -- sag mir das, sag mir was

Yasmine-Melanie -- Schenk' mir heut' ein bisschen Zeit

Pascal G -- Tu Mi Corazon

Michelle & Philipp mit Wirbelwind -- Wenn du mein Herz beruehrst

Back from Hawaii

Although I have been back from Ted Hierl's cruise to Hawaii aboard the Golden Princess for a few weeks, I finally got my pictures organized. At the bottom of this posting, I have a short slideshow with a sampling of what we saw & did on the cruise. But to see all the pictures and you will go to the Hawaii Cruise page. There are 3 slideshows and instructions of how to download pictures to your computer for free.

Reiner Kirsten put on some great shows. This Schwarzwald native warmed up the audience with some old favorites and introduced them to his new hits. Reiner mingled with the people on the cruise even when he was not performing and soon when you heard him say "Hallo Freunde" there was someone else saying "Hallo Reiner".

The Elstertaler, led by Wolfgang Semmler, again provided 2 show nights of dance music. However one of the highlights was when Semmi sang to his lovely wife, Ilona. He changed the words to the song to address their 12 years together and this year they were married. The Elstertaler really had the place jumping and you can see why Ted Hierl invites them back each year. Andre is a very talented singer and knows what the crowd wants to hear. They also brought with them some of the new hits in Germany and had everyone up on their feet. One morning, Tomas, on the keyboard, joined us for breakfast with this family. Tomas also plays in the new band that accompanies Stefan Mross and it was very interesting getting some inside stories from him.

We were lucky to have a great table of 6 other people to sit with at dinner time. Our table was very mixed with each couple coming from a different state: California, Minnesota, Rhode Island and, of course, Wisconsin. It was fun to hear what everyone had done throughout the day and some of them had some interesting adventures mixing with the locals. There was a table of people from Milwaukee and it was nice to see familiar faces on the cruise as well.

Ted Hierl and his lovely wife, Hilde, deserve a great big thank you for spending countless hours putting together this cruise. There were over 360 people in our group and 88 of them came from Germany. Hilde did all the coordinating and translating that was needed to make things go smoothly. Ted announced that next year's cruise will be going to the Southern Caribbean with the Original Naabtal Duo as the star guests. I have created a new Cruise page with all the details and you can get there by pressing this button . If you want to see the Naabtal Duo in action there are a bunch of links to YouTube so you can get familiar with their music. I will be putting a direct link along the left sidebar of the webpage soon, so if you are thinking of going next year call & reserve your cabin before they are filled up. Please note that if you click on Ted & Hilde's picture you will go to Ted's Webpage where you can listen to his 2 hours Sunday Radio show all week.

Congratulations Maria

We want to congratulate our friend and former Talent Coordinator for the Stimmung Stunde, Maria Olligies, She had a very successful event, the Schlagertreff, on October 2 where she procuced an evening with Vincent & Fernando, who placed 2nd in the Grand Prix der Volksmusik for the 3rd year in a row. Vincent & Fernando had a beautiful song "Glaube an Gott" that was written by Gunther Behrle. Also appearing on stage were Stefan Behrends, Marc & Loreen and Monika Klaaasen. The Schlagertreff took place at the Hotel Hagen in Haren Germany. Maria, and her husband, Heinz,were very happy with the turnout that evening.

A surprise guest was Armin Stockl. Many Chicago & Milwaukee residents have seen Armin at the Lake Villa Heimat shows hosted by Armin Homann, a Chicago DJ. Armin Stockl recently received the 2008 Deutscher Rock & Pop Preis and his popularity in Germany continues to grow, but we are happy that Armin Stockl is scheduled to be in Chicago in December for a Christmas show. When I have more details, I will post them here.