Jade's up for a MOBO

Not content with 5th place in this year's Eurovision, UK entrant Jade Ewen has been nominated in the Best Newcomer Category at this year's MOBO Awards.

Just as she did in Moscow, Jade faces stiff competition, this time round from the likes of X Factor stars, JLS and Alexandra Burke. But unlike in Russia, where Jade's fate was decided on by both the jury and televoters, the MOBO award is purely decided by the public.

Good luck Jade!

Jessica Garlick and Martyn Baylay to appear at Eurobash 2009

OGAE UK - the British Eurovision fanclub - has announced 2 of the guests who will join around 100 fans at Eurobash 2009, the club's annual get-together in Birmingham on Saturday 3 October.

Jessica Garlick, who took the UK to an impressive equal 3rd place in 2002 with Come Back, will be joined by the song's composer, Martyn Baylay.

Jessica and Martyn will take part in The Guest List - a Q and A style event, giving Bash attendees the chance to hear more about the guests' experiences of Eurovision. They will also spend time mingling with fans - with the opportunity for more informal chats and photos. It's also hoped that Jessica and Martyn will be on hand to comment on the acts taking part in the popular Stars In Their Eurovision Eyes contest, which sees fans become their Eurovision heroes for the night!

Paul Marks-Jones, OGAE UK President and one of those organising the Bash, said: "We're really looking forward to welcoming Jessica and Martyn to the Bash. Jessica and Martyn achieved the UK's highest position this decade with a great song, and I'm sure they'll have plenty to talk about and be a real hit with the crowd."

More guests are in the pipeline. Keep your eyes peeled on this blog for more info soon!

Eurobash 2009 is now ‘sold out’ but anyone who wishes to be put on the waiting list should email eurobash@btinternet.com

Over the Moone?

Avid readers of this blog will remember how delighted we were when Liquid Gold won the OGAE Retro 1981 Contest with their Song For Europe entry, Don't Panic.

The Retro competition is an extension of the popular OGAE Second Chance Contest, held every year to give songs that didn't make it through the national finals the chance to compete for glory.

Second Chance began in 1987, and is still going strong. A few years back a bright spark had the additional idea of going backwards from 1986, so this year it's the turn of songs from national finals from 1980 to bid for glory.

And we reckon the UK's is with another fantastic chance with Maggie Moone's Happy Everything. This song actually tied for first place with Prima Donna's Love Enough For Two in that year's Song For Europe, so each regional jury had to be called up again to give the nod to one of the two songs. Sadly Prima Donna won through, leaving the vastly superior Happy Everything in 2nd place. Along with Scooch beating Cyndi, it's one of the biggest unjustices in UK Eurovision history.

Had Maggie made it to the Hague we're sure she'd have given Johnny Logan a run for his money.

So it's time to right a wrong, and for Maggie to come out on top where she belongs. You can check out Maggie's competition here (although you can only vote if you're registered via each nation's jury). Enjoy the song again below.