Dustin the Turkey

Dustin the Turkey is an Irish puppet, television presenter and star of RTÉ television's The Den since 1989. A turkey with a Dublin accent and strong language, Dustin is voiced by John Morrison, brother of Ciaran Morrison who was one of the creators of Zig and Zag. Dustin first appeared on The Den with Zig and Zag in 1990, but remained with the show after their 1994 departure to Channel 4. Dustin's achievements include a musical career with chart-topping singles. Dustin won the public vote to represent Ireland at the Eurovision Song Contest 2008 with the song Irelande Douze Points but failed to progress past the first semi-final stage.

Originally the favourite to win, Dustin was chosen by the Irish viewers at Eurosong to represent Ireland in the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest, becoming the first puppet to do so. Though it was not announced on the Eurosong show how many votes Dustin won, an RTÉ radio show later revealed that the second place had an average of 15 points, while Dustin had 23, so the public really did want to send a puppet to Eurovision. Despite it being a public vote, there was a mixed reaction from the live studio audience when the result was announced, including many audible boos. A panellist on the programme, former Eurovision winner Dana, stated that Ireland would be better withdrawing from the competition than sending Dustin. Despite her lack of support, past Irish Eurovision entries Dickie Rock and Maxi stated their beliefs that Dustin could win.

Dustin performed his song in the first semi-final on 20 May. The song contained, amongst other things, references to Riverdance (Give us another chance, we're sorry for Riverdance!) and Michael Flatley (Sure Flatley he's a yank). Dustin failed to progress beyond the Eurovision semi-final.

Dustin has often declared his interest in politics. He has campaigned in two presidential elections. He competed as Dustin Hoffman in the 1997 presidential election as both forename and surname were necessary to register his Poultry Party. He also has shown interest in becoming the president of America. Dustin is a UNICEF ambassador.

Dustin made a film titled Dustin in Fowl Play in 2002. In this film, he and his friend Snotser, put together a boyband called Mankind.

Dustin was also the subject of the documentary Dustin: 20 Years a Pluckin'.

Jetty Paerl

Jetty Paerl (born 27 May 1921, Amsterdam) is a Dutch singer, who was most famous in the 1950s and 1960s. She was married to Dutch artist Cees Bantzinger.

During the World War II, Jetty lived in London, as the Netherlands was occupied by Nazi Germany. There she participated in the broadcasts of Radio Oranje, the Dutch government in exile, and was known as Jetje van Radio Oranje (Jetty of Radio orange). She appears in episode 18 of the 1970s BBC documentary The World at War.

In 1956 she represented the Netherlands in the first Eurovision Song Contest with the song De Vogels Van Holland, written by Annie M.G. Schmidt and composed by Cor Lemaire and was also the first competitor to debut on the Eurovision Song Contest. At the time the contest was only broadcast via radio, and only the winning song was announced.

Junior Eurovision - Ralf Mackenbach

Ralf Mackenbach (born October 4, 1995 in Best) is a Dutch singer, dancer and musical artist who won the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2009 in Kiev, Ukraine on 21 November 2009. He earned 121 points with the song Click Clack, which was written by Ralf himself. Ralf has also written other songs.

He released his debut album RALF in September 2010.

Ralf has been attending Amsterdam's dancing academy Lucia Marthas since 2009. He played the little Tarzan in the musical Tarzan and Jakopje in the musical Beauty and the Beast. The official video for Click Clack, shows he is left-handed. He's getting acting lessons at CKE (Centrum voor de Kunsten Eindhoven) in Eindhoven. In 2011 he participated in the show "Stars Dance on Ice". Ralf is 1 of the 4 judges on the 2011 edition of the Dutch talent show "My Name is..."

Luca Barbarossa

Luca Barbarossa (born 15 April 1961, Rome) is an Italian singer-songwriter who has released 12 albums since 1981.

In 1980, Luca won the Castrocaro Song Festival, where he was spotted by a producer who signed him to a recording contract. In 1981 he participated in the San Remo Festival, where he finished fourth with the self-penned song Roma Spogliata. His first album was released in the same year, and he toured as support act to Riccardo Cocciante. In 1986, he again participated in the San Remo Festival with Via Margutta, but only managed 18th place. In 1987 Luca came ninth with Come Dentro Un Film. He achieved his best San Remo placement to date in 1988 with "L'amore Rubato" finishing third.

In 1988, Luca was chosen by broadcaster RAI as the Italian Eurovision representative with the song Vivo (Ti Scrivo). He went forward to the 33rd Eurovision Song Contest, held on 30 April in Dublin, where Vivo (Ti Scrivo) finished in 12th place of 21 entries.

Barbarossa won the 1992 San Remo Festival at his fifth attempt with Portami A Ballare, a song dedicated to his mother. In the 1990s he released four studio albums and a live album. In 1996 another San Remo entry with Il Ragazzo Con La Chitarra" placed 12th. A compilation album of his most popular songs, with two previously unreleased tracks, was issued in 2001.

Luca Barbarossa's San Remo participation in 2003, with Fortuna finishing 10th, was just before putting his recording career on hold for four years. He returned with a single, Aspettavamo Il 2000 in 2007, before releasing Via Delle Storie Infinite in 2008. In 2011 he participated again in Sanremo and came 8th with the song Fino In Fondo.

San Remo Music Festival entries:

1981: Roma Spogliata - 4th
1986: Via Margutta - 18th
1987: Come Dentro Un Film - 9th
1988: L'amore Rubato - 3rd
1992: Portami A Ballare - 1st
1996: Il Ragazzo Con La Chitarra - 12th
2003: Fortuna - 10th
2011: Fino In Fondo - 8th

Anders Frandsen

Anders Frandsen (December 8 1960 - January 1 2012) was a Danish musician, singer, actor and TV presenter.

During the 80s Anders appeared in many theatre performances. Later he became a TV presenter on Danish Kanal 2, alongside Camilla Miehe-Renard.

In 1991 he really broke through after winning the Dansk Melodi Grand Prix (the Danish national final for the Eurovision Song Contest) with the song Lige Der Hvor Hjertet Slår. The song didn't do well at the 1991 ECS, placing only 19th with only 8 points. That didn't hurt his popularity however, and the following year at the Danish national final, he was the host.

He then became a TV host on TV3 for the next few years. He appeared on lots of shows like Knald eller Fald (a dating programme), Stjerneskud (a talent competition for look-alikes), and also presented the network's morning TV. In 1997, he slowly disappeared from TV again.

He later resurfaced at the Danish national final in 2001, presenting one of the songs, and also guest-starred in an episode of Ørnen (a Danish TV series) in 2004. In 2005 he guest-starred in an episode of the Danish TV show Twist & Shout, on TV2 Charlie.

ESC Top 250 2011

Yesterday, ESC Radio broadcasted the ESC Top 250.
For a month, between November 24 and December 20, Eurovision fans had the opportunity to vote for their favourite entries from the entire history of the Eurovision Song Contest. The voting was organized in collaboration with 12.points.tv, BlogIlkar, escradio, Belgovision.com, OGAE.nl, Infe Network, Eurovisionfanclub.gr, and Songfestivalweblog.

It is remarkable that there are so many songs in the list of the ESC 2011. In the list I miss some songs of the 60s, 70s and 80s.

The ESC Top 250 2011:

1. Serbia & Montenegro 2004: Željko Joksimović & Ad Hoc Orchestra - Lane moje
2. Norway 2009: Alexander Rybak - Fairytale
3. Greece 2005: Elena Paparizou - My Number One
4. Germany 2010: Lena - Satellite
5. Sweden 2011: Eric Saade - Popular
6. Poland 1994: Edyta Górniak - To nie ja!
7. Iceland 2009: Yohanna - Is It True?
8. Serbia 2010: Milan Stanković - Ovo je Balkan
9. Croatia 1998: Danijela - Neka mi ne svane
10. Turkey 2003: Sertab Erener - Everyway That I Can
11. Spain 1995: Anabel Conde - Vuelve conmigo
12. Serbia 2007: Marija Šerifović - Molitva
13. Sweden 1974: Abba - Waterloo
14. Sweden 2008: Charlotte Perrelli - Hero
15. Israel 1998: Dana International - Diva
16. Ukraine 2008: Ani Lorak - Shady Lady
17. Norway 1995: Secret Garden - Nocturne
18. Portugal 2008: Vânia Fernandes - Senhora do mar (Negras águas)
19. Bosnia & Hercegovina 2006: Hari Mata Hari - Lejla
20. Poland 1997: Anna Maria Jopek - Ale jestem
21. France 2009: Patricia Kaas - Et s'il fallait le faire
22. Israel 2005: Shiri Maimon - Hasheket Shenish'ar
23. Luxembourg 1973: Anne-Marie David - Tu te reconnaîtras
24. Estonia 2009: Urban Symphony - Rändajad
25. United Kingdom 1997: Katrina & The Waves - Love Shine a Light
26. Greece 2001: Antique Die for You
27. the Netherlands 1998: Edsilia - Hemel en aarde
28. Greece 2008: Kalomira - Secret Combination
29. Turkey 1997: Şebnem Paker & Grup Etnic - Dinle
30. Malta 2005: Chiara - Angel
31. Armenia 2008: Sirusho - Qélé, Qélé
32. Ireland 1987: Johnny Logan - Hold Me Now
33. Hungary 2011: Kati Wolf - What About My Dreams?
34. Germany 2011: Lena - Taken by a Stranger
35. Sweden 2006: Carola - Invincible
36. Belgium 2010: Tom Dice - Me and My Guitar
37. Finland 2006: Lordi - Hard Rock Hallelujah
38. Ireland 2011: Jedward - Lipstick
39. Spain 1973: Mocedades - Eres tú
40. France 1977: Marie Myriam - L'oiseau et l'enfant
41. Denmark 2000: Olsen Brothers - Fly on the Wings of Love
42. Norway 2008: Maria Haukaas Storeng - Hold On Be Strong
43. Luxembourg 1972: Vicky Leandros - Après toi
44. Azerbaijan 2011: Ell and Nikki - Running Scared
45. Italy 1984: Alice & Franco Battiato - I treni di Tozeur
46. Iceland 2008: Euroband - This Is My Life
47. Ukraine 2004: Ruslana - Wild Dances
48. Azerbaijan 2010: Safura - Drip Drop
49. Germany 1975: Joy Fleming - Ein Lied kann eine Brücke sein
50. Russia 2008: Dima Bilan - Believe
51. Israel 1990: Rita Kleinstein - Shara Barkhovot
52. Estonia 2011: Getter Jaani - Rockefeller Street
53. Russia 2006: Dima Bilan - Never Let You Go
54. Denmark 1963: Grethe & Jørgen Ingmann - Dansevise
55. Slovenia 2011: Maja Keuc - No One
56. Italy 2011: Raphael Gualazzi - Madness of Love
57. France 2001: Natasha St-Pier - Je n'ai que mon âme
58. Ukraine 2007: Verka Serduchka - Dancing Lasha Tumbai
59. Italy 1997: Jalisse - Fiumi di parole
60. France 1991: Amina - Le Dernier qui a parlé...
61. Romania 2010: Paula Seling and Ovi - Playing with Fire
62. Denmark 2011: A Friend in London - New Tomorrow
63. Italy 1964: Gigliola Cinquetti - Non ho l'età
64. Switzerland 1988: Céline Dion - Ne partez pas sans moi
65. Croatia 1999: Doris Dragović - Marija Magdalena
66. Italy 1992: Mia Martini - Rapsodia
67. Sweden 1999: Charlotte Nilsson - Take Me to Your Heaven
68. the Netherlands 1993: Ruth Jacott - Vrede
69. Israel 2010: Harel Skaat - Milim
70. Azerbaijan 2009: AySel and Arash - Always
71. Italy 1974: Gigliola Cinquetti - Si
72. United Kingdom 2011: Blue - I Can
73. Belgium 2003: Urban Trad - Sanomi
74. Greece 2004: Sakis Rouvas - Shake It
75. Iceland 2010: Hera Björk - Je ne sais quoi
76. Norway 1996: Elisabeth Andreassen - I evighet
77. Monaco 1971: Séverine - Un banc, un arbre, une rue
78. Serbia 2008: Jelena Tomašević feat. Bora Dugić - Oro
79. Luxembourg 1965: France Gall - Poupée de cire, poupée de son
80. Turkey 2010: maNga - We Could Be the Same
81. Belgium 2006: Kate Ryan - Je t'adore
82. Slovakia 2010: Kristina - Horehronie
83. Israel 1991: Duo Datz - Kan
84. Turkey 2009: Hadise - Düm Tek Tek
85. Bosnia & Hercegovina 2011: Dino Merlin - Love in Rewind
86. Greece 2010: Giorgos Alkaios and Friends - OPA!
87. Ireland 1996: Eimear Quinn - The Voice
88. Albania 2010: Juliana Pasha - It's All About You
89. Israel 1979: Gali Atari and Milk and Honey - Hallelujah
90. Sweden 1998: Jill Johnson - Kärleken är
91. Norway 2011: Stella Mwangi - Haba Haba
92. Cyprus 2007: Evridiki - Comme ci, comme ça
93. Greece 2006: Anna Vissi - Everything
94. Israel 2011: Dana International - Ding Dong
95. Georgia 2007: Sopho - Visionary Dream
96. Bosnia & Hercegovina 2009: Regina - Bistra voda
97. Sweden 2004: Lena Philipsson - It Hurts
98. Israel 1983: Ofra Haza - Hi
99. Sweden 1991: Carola - Fångad av en stormvind
100. Slovenia 1995: Darja Švajger - Prisluhni mi
101. Germany 1982: Nicole - Ein bißchen Frieden
102. Italy 1987: Umberto Tozzi & Raf - Gente di mare
103. Romania 2006: Mihai Trăistariu - Tornero
104. Albania 2008: Olta Boka - Zemrën e lamë peng
105. Serbia 2011: Nina - Čaroban
106. Sweden 1984: Herreys - Diggi-Loo Diggi-Ley
107. Finland 2011: Paradise Oskar - Da Da Dam
108. Finland 1985: Sonja Lumme - Eläköön elämä
109. Sweden 2009: Malena Ernman - La voix
110. Switzerland 1981: Paola - Cinéma
111. Portugal 1991: Dulce Pontes - Lusitana paixão
112. Denmark 2010: Chanée and N'evergreen - In a Moment Like This
113. Norway 1988: Karoline Krüger - For vår jord
114. France 2010: Jessy Matador - Allez Ola Olé
115. Ireland 1993: Niamh Kavanagh - In Your Eyes
116. Denmark 1989: Birthe Kjær - Vi maler byen rød
117. Slovenia 2007: Alenka Gotar - Cvet z juga
118. Belgium 1986: Sandra Kim - J'aime la vie
119. Hungary 1994: Friderika Bayer - Kinek mondjam el vétkeimet?
120. Luxembourg 1983: Corinne Hermès - Si la vie est cadeau
121. France 2011: Amaury Vassili - Sognu
122. Russia 2007: Serebro - Song №1
123. Albania 2009: Kejsi Tola - Carry Me in Your Dreams
124. Belarus 2007: Dmitry Koldun - Work Your Magic
125. Iceland 1999: Selma - All Out of Luck
126. Sweden 1983: Carola Häggkvist - Främling
127. Portugal 1969: Simone de Oliveira - Desfolhada portuguesa
128. Norway 2010: Didrik Solli-Tangen - My Heart Is Yours
129. Finland 2010: Kuunkuiskaajat - Työlki ellää
130. Poland 2011: Magdalena Tul - Jestem
131. San Marino 2008: Miodio - Complice
132. Albania 2004: Anjeza Shahini - The Image of You
133. Yugoslavia 1990: Tajči - Hajde da ludujemo
134. Sweden 1989: Tommy Nilsson - En dag
135. Greece 2011: Loukas Giorkas feat. Stereo Mike - Watch My Dance
136. UnitedKingdom 1996: Gina G - Ooh Aah... Just a Little Bit
137. Romania 2011: Hotel FM - Change
138. United Kingdom 1976: Brotherhood of Man - Save Your Kisses for Me
139. France 1969: Frida Boccara - Un jour, un enfant
140. Italy 1989: Anna Oxa & Fausto Leali - Avrei voluto
141. Ukraine 2011: Mika Newton - Angel
142. Norway 1998: Lars Fredriksen - Alltid sommer
143. Spain 1989: Nina - Nacida para amar
144. Moldova 2010: SunStroke Project and Olia Tira - Run Away
145. Estonia 1996: Maarja-Liis Ilus & Ivo Linna - Kaelakee hääl
146. Spain 1990: Azúcar Moreno - Bandido
147. Greece 1991: Sophia Vossou - I Anixi
148. Spain 2003: Beth - Dime
149. Malta 2002: Ira Losco - 7th Wonder
150. Ukraine 2010: Alyosha - Sweet People
151. Armenia 2011: Emmy - Boom Boom
152. Russia 2011: Alexey Vorobyov - Get You
153. Turkey 2004: Athena - For Real
154. Spain 1991: Sergio Dalma - Bailar pegados
155. Morocco 1980: Samira Bensaïd - Bitaqat Khub
156. Russia 2010: Peter Nalitch and Friends - Lost and Forgotten
157. United Kingdom 1998: Imaani - Where Are You?
158. Italy 1990: Toto Cutugno - Insieme: 1992
159. the Netherlands 1975: Teach-In - Ding-A-Dong
160. Norway 1985: Bobbysocks! - La det swinge
161. United Kingdom 1981: Bucks Fizz - Making Your Mind Up
162. Sweden 1995: Jan Johansen - Se på mig
163. United Kingdom 2000: Nicki French - Don't Play That Song Again
164. Sweden 1996: One More Time - Den vilda
165. Italy 1958: Domenico Modugno - Nel blu dipinto di blu
166. Malta 1998: Chiara - The One That I Love
167. Bulgaria 2011: Poli Genova - Na inat
168. Greece 1992: Cleopatra - Olou Tou Kosmou I Elpida
169. Spain 2011: Lucía Pérez - Que me quiten lo bailao
170. Germany 1980: Katja Ebstein - Theater
171. Romania 2005: Luminiţa Anghel and Sistem - Let Me Try
172. Spain 2010: Daniel Diges - Algo pequeñito
173. Finland 1977: Monica Aspelund - Lapponia
174. France 2002: Sandrine François - Il faut du temps (je me battrai pour ça)
175. Ireland 1980: Johnny Logan - What's Another Year
176. Hungary 2008: Csézy - Candlelight
177. France 1990: Joëlle Ursull - White and Black Blues
178. Poland 2008: Isis Gee - For Life
179. Belarus 2011: Anastasia Vinnikova - I Love Belarus
180. Slovenia 2001: Nuša Derenda - Energy
181. Cyprus 1995: Alexandros Panayi - Sti Fotia
182. Israel 2008: Boaz Ma'uda - The Fire in Your Eyes
183. Turkey 2008: Mor ve Ötesi - Deli
184. Bosnia & Hercegovina 2008: Laka - Pokušaj
185. the Netherlands 1969: Lenny Kuhr - De troubadour
186. Denmark 1979: Tommy Seebach - Disco Tango
187. Finland 2007: Hanna - Leave Me Alone
188. Serbia & Montenegro 2005: No Name - Zauvijek moja
189. Iceland 2007: Eiríkur Hauksson - Valentine Lost
190. Greece 2009: Sakis Rouvas - This Is Our Night
191. Armenia 2009: Inga and Anush - Jan Jan
192. Bosnia & Hercegovina 2007: Maria - Rijeka bez imena
193. Italy 1991: Peppino di Capri - Comme è ddoce 'o mare
194. Ukraine 2006: Tina Karol - Show Me Your Love
195. Switzerland 2011: Anna Rossinelli - In Love for a While
196. Denmark 1995: Aud Wilken - Fra Mols til Skagen
197. Estonia 2000: Ines - Once in a Lifetime
198. Greece 1995: Elina Konstantopoulou - Pia Prosefhi
199. Spain 2007: D'NASH - I Love You Mi Vida
200. United Kingdom 2009: Jade Ewen - It's My Time
201. the Netherlands 1980: Maggie MacNeal - Amsterdam
202. Austria 2011: Nadine Beiler - The Secret Is Love
203. Portugal 1996: Lúcia Moniz - O meu coração não tem cor
204. Turkey 2007: Kenan Doğulu - Shake It Up Şekerim
205. Georgia 2010: Sofia Nizharadze - Shine
206. Norway 1993: Silje Vige - Alle mine tankar
207. Latvia 2000: Brainstorm - My Star
208. Cyprus 2004: Lisa Andreas - Stronger Every Minute
209. UnitedKingdom 1994: Frances Ruffelle - We Will Be Free (Lonely Symphony)
210. France 1968: Isabelle Aubret - La source
211. Belgium 2004: Xandee - 1 Life
212. Poland 2003: Ich Troje - Keine Grenzen-Żadnych granic
213. the Netherlands 1990: Maywood - Ik wil alles met je delen
214. Germany 1979: Dschinghis Khan - Dschinghis Khan
215. Russia 2009: Anastasiya Prikhodko - Mamo
216. France 2000: Sofia Mestari - On aura le ciel
217. Ireland 1997: Marc Roberts - Mysterious Woman
218. Germany 1981: Lena Valaitis - Johnny Blue
219. Turkey 1996: Şebnem Paker - Beşinci Mevsim
220. Switzerland 1956: Lys Assia - Refrain
221. Ireland 1994: Paul Harrington and Charlie McGettigan - Rock 'n' Roll Kids
222. Switzerland 2008: Paolo Meneguzzi - Era stupendo
223. Israel 1978: Izhar Cohen & the Alphabeta - A-Ba-Ni-Bi
224. Georgia 2011: Eldrine - One More Day
225. Albania 2011: Aurela Gaçe - Feel the Passion
226. Portugal 2009: Flor-de-Lis - Todas as ruas do amor
227. Slovenia 2008: Rebeka Dremelj - Vrag naj vzame
228. Spain 1969: Salomé - Vivo cantando
229. Sweden 2010: Anna Bergendahl - This Is My Life
230. Moldova 2011: Zdob şi Zdub - So Lucky
231. Switzerland 2005: Vanilla Ninja - Cool Vibes
232. Croatia 2010: Feminnem - Lako je sve
233. Armenia 2010: Eva Rivas - Apricot Stone
234. Macedonia 2004: Toše Proeski - Life
235. Cyprus 2011: Christos Mylordos - San aggelos s'agapisa
236. Bulgaria 2007: Elitsa Todorova and Stoyan Yankoulov - Water
237. Macedonia 2002: Karolina Gočeva - It depends on us
238. Greece 2007: Sarbel - Yassou Maria
239. Denmark 2009: Niels Brinck - Believe Again
240. Croatia 1995: Magazin & Lidija - Nostalgija
241. Cyprus 1997: Hara & Andreas Konstantinou - Mana Mou
242. Russia 1997: Alla Pugacheva - Primadonna
243. Ireland 2010: Niamh Kavanagh - It's for You
244. Iceland 2006: Silvia Night - Congratulations
245. Norway 1994: Elisabeth Andreassen and Jan Werner Danielsen - Duett
246. Azerbaijan 2008: Elnur and Samir - Day After Day
247. Iceland 2003: Birgitta Haukdal - Open Your Heart
248. France 1994: Nina Morato - Je suis un vrai garçon
249. Iceland 1992: Heart 2 Heart - Nei eða já
250. Denmark 1993: Tommy Seebach Band - Under stjernerne på himlen