Lake Villa German Music Festival

I was disappointed I was unable to attend Armin Homann's German Music Festival when it was in Milwaukee on June 27, but I was lucky enough to be able to see the show in Lake Villa, Illinois on June 28. I am so glad I was able to see the show, it was fabulous. The entertainers, Veronika Lenz and Heinz Koch, were very talented and soon had the audience singing along with old favorites.

As usual the American Aid Society prepared the food for the event and there were long lines. The grounds were packed and a blaskappele from Germany played on the outside stage. The blaskappele will also be performing on July 4 at Lake Villa.

Veronika Lenz has been the headliner at Disney's Epcot center for many years and is an accomplished yodler. She also did a song for us using the cowbells.



Heinz Koch had a great voice and did several new songs that I really liked. Later when we spoke to him, we found that comes from an area where Elmar's family lives. So the 2 Schwobs hit it off very well, but I got the smooch.

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