Russell Watson to Headline at This Year's Llangollen Festival

Russell Watson sits forward in his chair and smiles. The thing that I most wanted to achieve has happened. The voice is back. And not only that, but the infrastructure that generates the noise I make, the strength and stamina I need to perform all that incredible material is back. He relaxes, his message delivered. Its been a long road and its been hard work, but were there

The last three years have changed Russell Watson forever. Changed who he is and the way he sings and how he feels about everything. Most people whove had a life-threatening experience will feel the same, and after a while, when the immediate pressure of their illness begins to dissipate, they may slip back into their old ways and their old lives. But not Watson. He has faced down one career-threatening illness and two life-threatening illnesses in the last five years. That was particularly hard to come to terms with, psychologically, he says. The second one affected me so badly.

By the end of 2007 Watson felt devastated. Just when he thought he was getting his life back the discovery and removal of one pituitary tumor he found out he had another one. All his confidence and strength had gone and a lot of what he does relies on knowing those big notes are coming. As a singer in his league, and there arent many, if your confidence gets rattled you lose everything.

When I had the first tumor I only focused on the operation, he says. When I had the second one it was about getting out of intensive care. Then getting out of the bed. Each time there was a different focal point.

When Watson finished his radiotherapy at the beginning of 2008 he decided to start his return. He had put on nearly three stone from the intense course of medication he was being treated with. The day the treatment finished he stared at himself in his full-length hallway mirror and said, Right Watson, its time to get back to work The very next day he went to the gym much to everyone elses dismay.

Thats the kind of idiot I am, he says now. Most people would rest. I looked terrible too

Six months of three-times-a-week visits to the gym followed before he was ready to sing again. Finally, in August 2008, Watson went to visit his voice coach, Patrick McGuigan. They began by running through scales. Suddenly McGuigan stopped Watson and said, Oh my god! What has happened to your voice?

I expected something negative, Watson says. But he thought it was fantastic, with all this new depth and power. The tumor could have been growing for 10-15 years in my nasal cavity, so when I had it cut out I went from a V8 to a V12! All those experiences have affected the way I view my life, the way I view others and the way I conduct myself.

Those changes are all over Watsons new album, La Voce, which was recorded in Rome this June with the Roma Sinfonietta, Ennio Morricones orchestra of choice. Watsons voice, as heard on Pino Donaggios Io Che Non Vivo (Senza Te), Mario Lanzas Arrivederci Roma or Parla Piu Piano (the theme from The Godfather) has never sounded better, stronger, more driven and powerful.

Ive truly given my heart and soul to this record, he says. It feels quite poignant this is where I started. With everything thats happened Ive had a lot of time to focus on the record and make the one I really wanted to make. The performances are as good as they can possibly be at this stage of my career.

Indeed, Watson says La Voce is the product of his life to date, the defining record of his life so far.

I believe that I have come through all this for a reason and that reason is now, he says. There are great times to come, but this is what its all about for me now. This is the first record that Ive made which has true continuity, La Voce is a very clear-sighted piece.

Russell Watson never imagined hed someday be the worlds greatest tenor. Born in Salford, hed have preferred to make it playing football, the trouble was, however much he played, he never got any better. Watsons says his father is so laid back hes lying down and I love that about him, but thats not the sort of person he is. Watson hated losing, hated that he was no good at the thing he loved. So he found something else to be the best at.

His mum would play Mario Lanza and Tchaikovsky, Mantovani, Chopin, Schubert, even The James Last Orchestra in the house. Her own father was a concert-level pianist, [my grandfather] was amazing, Watson says. Id sit on his lap and listen to him for hours

Aged seven Watson learnt to play the piano, and he was good, but he didnt like it, never had a flair for it. There was no joy there, he says. But when I started singing there was real joy. I started playing guitar as a teenager and started singing along with the Beatles and Jam records I loved.

Watson formed a band called The Crowd (we were not very good) and his band mates would tell him he sounded just like McCartney or Weller.

Im a natural mimic, he says. I still do it now. I can do my A&R man, my manager and I can always do other singers. An old compere at this club in Stockport used to joke, Russell Watson, 1001 voices

Those old clubs were extremely hard work. People were more interested in talking about what was on Coronation St than what any singer was doing. The factory work Watson did for 90 a week was mind-numbing so singing became his escape.

Ive walked out on stage in some of the biggest venues in the world, he says. The Vatican, Sydney Opera House, Carnegie Hall, Old Trafford! but nothing is as daunting as a Friday night at a serious working mens club. If I ever start to feel sorry for myself I go back and remember where Ive been, singing through a fog of Woodbine smoke

One night, a concert secretary appeared out of the fog in front of Watson. He had grey hair with a yellow streak and yellow, tar-stained fingers. Watson had just sung The Music of The Night .

He just looked at me and said, You have a smashing voice, have you ever tried any of that Pavarooty stuff?

Watson, determined as ever, went off and learnt Nessun Dorma phonetically and when he first sang it live he got a standing ovation. That was the beginning of a whole new life. A few short years later in May 1999 that standing ovation was at Old Trafford just before Manchester United won the Premiership. Since then Watson has sung for American presidents, Japanese emperors, British Royalty, an array of European Prime Ministers, Middle-Eastern Sultans, even the late Pope John Paul II who requested a private audience with Watson at the Vatican. There have been eight albums, each one winning more praise than the one before. His first, The Voice , went to No. 1 in the US and the UK and won two Classical Brit awards. Encore was No. 1 in the UK classical charts for 30 weeks and Watson won another two Classical Brit Awards. Every Russell Watson UK release has gone Top 10 in the UK and among them he boasts two Double Platinum certifications, one Platinum and two Gold. But this album, Watson says, is special.

My best friend, The Colonel, listened to it and he said, Theyre all very good tunes, lad! and thats it, La Voce has only great tracks on it. Ive learnt more in the last ten years about music, life, performance and singing than you could ever learn at any music college. Theres no one on the planet that I worry about being stood in front of. No one is as genuinely impassioned about this music as I am now.

Watson knows you dont step off a factory onto a stage with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra without having something beyond talent. You need drive and desire, a need to make your mark, to make your voice heard.

My music is about making a connection says Russell. Put me in front of 90,000 in a football stadium and I feel all their energy. Its what I live for, that and my kids. Theres nothing bigger than that feeling.

RUSSELL WATSON LA VOCE!

Tuesday 5 July, 7.45pm

The indomitable Salford-born Tenor, multi-award winner and one of the worlds favourite voices, performs at Llangollen for the very first time.Watsons hits include E Sara Cosi, Parla piu piano, and Be my Love.

Special Guest: Faryl Smith
With The National Symphony Orchestra, Conductor: Robert Emery

Russell Watson said: "I am absolutely thrilled to be following in the footsteps of so many international stars at what is known as the most famous Eisteddfod in the world. This festival really 'keeps a welcome in the hillside' and I cannot wait to step foot on the pavilion stage and perform. Llangollen here I come!"

Mervyn Cousins Llangollen Festivals Chief Executive said: It is great to have one of the worlds most popular as well as most powerful voices at Llangollen 2011. We look forward to welcoming Russell Watson here he of course joins a long line of fabulous singers who have graced the Llangollen stage. We expect this concert to be one of the highlights of the week, as Russell comes to us following his recent sell-out concerts in the UK and elsewhere. And of course it will be good to welcome back Faryl Smith, who as many people know began her success in Llangollen as a vocal solo winner at the tender age of 11.

Llangollen 2011 : 5 - 10 July 2011

Tickets 45, 35, 25

www.llangollen2011.co.uk

01978 862001

tickets@international-eisteddfod.co.uk

(More info on ticket purchasing below)

Llangollen Festival 5-10 July 2011

Six days of the best music and folk dance, from all the world in one place!

Every summer since 1947 Llangollen has staged one of the worlds most inspirational cultural festivals. Each year around 4,000 performers converge on this beautiful small Welsh town and its International Pavilion; to sing and dance in a unique combination of competition, performance, and international peace and friendship.

In 2011 competitors from across the globe will again take to the stage alongside some of the biggest names in music. Starting with a gala concert on the Monday evening, the festival will continue throughout the week, including performances by Russell Watson and concluding with a Sunday evening concert (Artists to be announced). Accompanying musicians include the National Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra of Welsh National Opera, Mid-Wales Opera Company. 5,000 primary school children will join us on the Tuesday, and then Llangollens unique competitions, take place in the Pavilion from Wednesday onwards, bringing to North Wales thousands of performers as the worlds best musical party gets into full swing

Full booking info:

Reserve your ticket NOW!

Online booking at www.llangollen2011.co.uk

(including Choose your own seat option)

Box Office 01978 862001 9.30am to 4.30pm weekdays.

Email tickets@international-eisteddfod.co.uk

By post: Llangollen Eisteddfod Box Office, Royal International Pavilion, Abbey Road, Llangollen, LL20 8SW.

Season Tickets: amazing offers!

Become a Season Ticket Holder or a Friend of the Festival to have access to priority seating arrangements;

Platinum ticket is only: 200 Sit in the same seat all week (Day and night!)

Gold - 135 Wednesday to Saturday Evening (5 discount on Russell Watson concert)

Silver Season - All daytime sessions, Wednesday to Saturday, same top-price seat guarantee, 70.

FESTIVAL GROUND ADMISSION

(Pavilion Reserved seat ticket includes Ground Admission)

Adult 10

Concessions 8

Child Under 16 5 (2 Saturday)

EVENING GROUND ADMISSION

Only 1 Ground for a Pound after 4.30pm, Tuesday - Friday

FAMILY GROUND ADMISSION

Wednesday -Friday 23 ; Saturday 20 (International Family Day)

(2 Adults & up to 3 children)

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MORE IMPORTANTLY THE AMERICYMRU KICKSTARTER APPEAL FOR THE WEST COAST EISTEDDFOD IS 43% SHORT OF COMPLETION

PLEASE HELP IF YOU CAN WE ARE ONLY LOOKING FOR SMALL DONATIONS. $10 MINIMUM AND IT DOESN'T COME OFF YOUR CARD TILL MARCH 5th.

TO READ ABOUT OUR EXCITING PLANS FOR THE EISTEDDFOD GO HERE

TO DONATE GO HERE

BE A FORTY-PERCENTER. HELP MAKE WALES HAPPEN IN THE US.

FILM'S A GO-GO THANKS TO INDIEGOGO

A UK production company has adopted an American approach to raising money for its new
short film. Seraphim Pictures of South Wales, UK has begun a crowdfunding campaign that
invites people from all over the world to donate small amounts of money to the budget of its
short film The Final Punchline . In return the company is offering rewards varying from screen
credits to set visits and premiere invites at http://www.indiegogo.com/punchline .

The Final Punchline is the story of Jason Rees, a twentysomething stand-up comedian who
develops a terminal brain tumour and turns his back on conventional treatment. They say that
laughter is the best medicine, and for Jason this could be the case. The film provides a voice
for those who choose quality of life over quantity and live as best they can with the time they
have left.

The Final Punchline will be filmed in Cardiff, South Wales at the end of March, with the
majority of cast and crew sourced locally. The campaign is hosted by US crowdfunding
website IndieGoGo and will run alongside traditional methods of private investment and
product placement funding. Company Director James Morgan said Websites and services
such as IndieGoGo are a fantastic resource. It gives up-and-coming filmmakers like us
opportunities that we wouldn't usually have, especially when there is an important story to be
told.

The Final Punchline will make its market debut at the March du Film at the Cannes Film
Festival, running from May 11th to 22nd 2011. The film will be screened at the March's Short
Film Corner, with further screenings intended for the American Film Market (Santa Monica
2011) and European Film Market (Berlin 2012).

ABOUT SERAPHIM PICTURES ( www.seraphimpictures.com )
Seraphim Pictures is an independent production company based in South Wales, UK. Its
portfolio includes short films, documentaries and music videos that have been screened
across Europe and North Africa. The Company screened its first short film The Things Unsaid
at the Cannes Film Festival in 2006.

ABOUT INDIEGOGO ( www.indiegogo.com )
IndieGoGo was founded in 2008 to offer people with creative ideas the tools to build
campaigns to raise money. Campaigns include creative, cause-related or entrepreneurial
fundraising and are encouraged to make use of online social media tools for wide promotion.

Annwyl Ffrindiau yn Americymru, Helo i chi ar l cyfnod mor hir! Mae fy daith wedi bod yn anodd ond yr wyf yn

ddiolchgar am y gwersi. Yn awr yr wyf yn dod y cylch llawn chalon llawer ysgafnach. Edrychaf ymlaen at ymweld yn

amlach ac yn dod i adnabod pob un ohonoch yn well. Bod yn Bendigedig mewn Holl ydych yn ei ddweud a'i wneud.

Ewch 'r Fam. Cerridwen

Are You a Singer, Raconteur, Poet or Wit Living in the L.A. Area? If so Uncle Dai Wants You

The West Coast Eisteddfod: Welsh Festival of Arts is looking for singers, story tellers, poets and comedians to compete in the third annual West Coast Eisteddfod to be held at the Barnsdall Art Park in LA on 23rd-25th September.

• No registration fee!
• First prize of $100 in each category ( 2nd prize $50 )!
• Guaranteed 15 minutes ( or more ) of fame!

If you are interested in competing please email americymru@gmail.com . All performers will be allotted a maximum of 8 minutes at the microphone and we are hoping for a capacity audience of 300 for the event. Celebrity judges in each category will be announced as soon as they are finalized. The event will be filmed for posterity ( and possibly streamed 'live' on the internet ) and we also hope to make DVD's of the competition available for purchase.

Your contribution need not reference Wales in any way shape or form. The Eisteddfod is a Welsh tradition but it exists principally to reward artistic excellence. Above all we want you to 'give your all' and entertain and impress the crowd.

Fore more information about the event please visit the following links:- Friday Saturday Sunday

To buy tickets ( priced at $10 + $1 online purchase fee ) please go here:- Friday Saturday Sunday

If you decide to compete please allow us to be the first to wish you pob lwc/best of luck.

Click the links below for more information about Eisteddfod performers.

Saturday Eisteddfod Live Competitions

AmeriCymru is immensely pleased and proud to announce that Paul Child , the man who leads the singing of the national anthem at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff before Six Nations matches and who is known as the "official voice of Welsh rugby" , will be appearing at the West Coast Eisteddfod: Welsh Festival of Arts in LA this year. He will be leading the singing of the anthem and appearing at the Friday night opening concert. For most of our readers Paul will require no introduction but for anyone who is not familiar with the man and his work here is a brief biography from the BBC music site:-

" Best known for his involvement with Welsh rugby, Paul Child is Wales' biggest-selling independent artist.

In 2000, Paul Child self-financed the album Wales Forever as a tribute to David Alexander. Although the cost was just 2,500, it has gone on to become the biggest-selling independently-released album ever in Wales, selling over 100,000 copies around the world.

In 2003, he appeared on the World In Union album alongside fellow Welsh stars Tom Jones and Shirley Bassey to commemorate the Rugby World Cup. His rugby connection has continued with pre-match appearances at the Millennium Stadium. Each time he's sung before the match, Wales have registered a victory.

Released in February 2006, Bread Of Heaven is the official album of the Welsh Rugby Union. "..... more .

Read our 2008 interview with Paul here:- Interview With Paul Child - Official singer of the Welsh Rugby Union

More on Friday nights concert here . Buy tickets here .

Paul Singing Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales