Music
06 Nov 06

Lappin added to Eurosong judging panel

In what is clearly a positive reaction to the controversy that erupted earlier this year in relation to the Eurosong 2006 competition, leading Irish publisher Johnny Lappin has been added to the final judging panel for Eurosong 2007 by RTE. The full competition details will be announced shortly by RTE.

Lappin was a hugely vocal critic of the running of the Eurosong 2006 competition, and organised a public meeting, which gave focus to the concerns of Irish songwriters and publishers generally. There was disquiet in particular at the fact that the deadline for entries was extended by RTE, and also that one of the songs submitted after the original deadline, 'Every Song Is A Cry Of Love', written by Brian Kennedy, who had been chosen to sing the songs, was allowed to enter the competition. 'Every Song Is A Cry Of Love' was the eventual winner of the Irish contest, but went on to finish a disappointing 11th in the Eurovision.

"Following on from last year’s debacle I decided to allow my name go forward in order that I might personally oversee, on behalf of Irish songwriters and publishers, that Eurosong 2007 is properly run, transparent and fair to all entrants," Johnny Lappin told hotpress.com.

"Obviously, I will not have, nor will I accept, any publishing interest in any of the songs that are entered into the competition," he added. "I am notifying my songwriter clients accordingly."