Trevor Holman comments
Firstly, congratulations to our winners.Silvio was superb all night long and was the undoubted winner.Tom and Aaron both did remarkebly well and congratulations to both of them.The other seven finalists all gave of their best and as was said on the night - all ten of them are winners with the recording and release of the 'Get Real Talent 2009' album featuring one song from each of the ten finalists along with a new song specially written for the album on which all ten of the finalists will sing.We are also planning to have a series of 'Get Real Talent' roadshows with all the finalists taking part and once the details have been decided we will ensure everyone is kept up to date through the pages of Get Real.'Get Real Talent' was such a success that we have decided to make it an annual summer event and we all look forward to next years talent search finding even more singing talent here in the Algarve. The four judges will meet over the coming weeks to decide on dates and venues for next summers event which will undoubtedly have to be bigger - but in the meantime - a massive thank you to Cafe Ingles in Silves who looked after us magnificently and made everyone incredibly welcome.We were also pleased to announce a new annual winter event to be called the 'Get Real Song Search'. This is an event that will be open to all songwriters across the Algarve, whether they are experienced with proven chart success or complete amateurs writing their first song.The song search is about the songs - not the performances and to ensure the fairest possible results Get Real and ARC will again work together, but this time the final decision will be down to the public - not the judges. The same four judges that oversee 'Get Real Talent' will also oversee the 'Song Search' and they will narrow the song search entries down to the final ten. We intend to put a band together using session musicians and singers who will then present all 10 songs in the grand final ensuring the same level of performance is given to all ten songs and then it's over to the public in attendance on the night to vote for the winners.The judges will be meeting soon to thrash out dates and venues and over the coming weeks you will kept up to date with all the details on the pages of Get Real.So - for musicians and singers in the Algarve - you now have an event every six months with 'Get Real Talent' - the search for a singer - every summer and the 'Get Real Song Search' every winter.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Get Real Talent search Finals
Last Saturday evening hundreds of people flocked to Café Inglês in Silves to see which three people were going to be lucky enough to finish the evening with a recording contract in hand.
By Fiona Perris
Saturday’s live performances were the culmination of months of development and preparation that began as a germ of an idea and grew into blooming finale.
Ten finalists had been chosen at the auditions which were held back at the beginning of May (see get real May 12) and all gathered early on Saturday evening for a final sound check, each knowing that they had an over 30 per cent chance of ending the evening with a recording contract.
Already, by 7pm, the concert area was filled with a multitude of friends, family, fans and many curious passers-by enjoying the open air garden venue towered over by the deep red sandstone walls of Silves’ most famous landmark, the Moorish castle. And, it didn’t stop there throughout the entire evening more and more people appeared, enjoying the excellent talent that the judges had chosen to appear.
Sing a song
The order of appearance was chosen by way of a draw and, as each artist stepped up to the stage, any nervousness seemed to dissipate immediately as the music began.
In the first round each artist sang an up-tempo tune and each was rewarded with well-deserved hearty applause and during the interval Café Inglês was buzzing with speculation.
In the second half of the show each contestant sang a slower tune, the final chance to impress the judges with their vocal talents.
The performers were aided by Han, the sound engineer with almost everything going as planned until the final performance by 17 year old Gabriel de Rose, a young man whose stature and looks deceived many into thinking he was much older. There seemed to be a problem with the accompanying music and Gabriel stood up before the audience and truly sang solo, a challenge which was appreciated by all present.
Stars on the horizon
Then, suddenly, the contestants were all done and all that remained was to hear the judges decision, something that was decided relatively quickly, but still the contestants had to wait as the prizes from the raffle were drawn.
Eventually the four judges, Trevor Holman and Derek Ash of ARC Limited, the company offering the three recording contracts, Bill Elliott, former singer with Splinters and session singer and Charles May presenter of get real Talk Radio and director of get real, ascended the stage to announce the three lucky winners.
In third place came 19 year old Aaron Dempsey, a young British lad who is entertaining for a living at Satchmo’s in Montechoro. He received a one year recording contract for one single.
Second prize went to 17 year old Tom Bainbridge, also British, still a student, but who knows for how much longer. He also got a one year recording contract, but this one includes an album as well as a single release.
The man who captured the ears of the judges was Silvio Switha, a 30 year old Portuguese man who also entertains for a living. According to Trevor Holman, chairman of the judges, from the first round “it was a one horse race” and Silvio was visibly overwhelmed at finally achieving his dream, thanking the judges individually and all the spectators then sending special message to his girlfriend who he crushed in an embrace after he left the stage.
And the winner is…
I took Silvio aside after he had heard the good news and asked him how he felt: “I am very, very happy and I still can’t believe that I have one. It is my dream for a long time.”
He told me he had no idea of what kind music he would be singing just that he wanted to make “beautiful songs” and take his career further.
Silvio had sung a song by The Script and one by U2 to perform and I asked him why. “They both have melody. Music for me must have melody.” He told us his girlfriend had helped him choose his songs for the final and that he had discarded a track by Jason Mraz on her advice.
Silvio confessed he was willing to go anywhere his career took him and that he was amazed at the opportunity that the first get real talent had presented. “I have been to London to audition and other places because I was looking for my dream and I had to fight. I couldn’t believe that it was here in the Algarve, so close to home.”
It remains to be seen where Silvio’s career takes him, no doubt far and we all have high hopes – this guy really has got talent! In the meantime he plays, together with his band, at Mullgian’s in Vilamoura from Tuesday to Sunday from 11pm onwards.
Life savers
But, it wasn’t all about the talent; get real had nominated the Algarve Oncological Association as beneficiary of funds raised by way of a prize draw. Throughout the evening all those present, contestants, judges, staff and spectators alike, were approached by the get real team to buy raffle tickets at €5 a piece and the generosity was overwhelming, not only from those who brought tickets, but also those who donated prizes. Throughout the evening some of the guests stood up and donated further prizes to the draw and some people left with some superb prizes:
Dinner at O Almbique restaurant in Poço Barreto; dinner at the Café Inglês in Silves; dinner at Prima Pasta in Vale de Parra; dinner at Satchmo’s Bar and Restaurant in Montchoro; a €50 voucher for great British foodstuffs at Let the Magic In in Algoz; a €50 voucher for personalised clothing at Absolute Zero; an hour long massage donated by an unknown individual in the audience, a non-surgical facelift at Senses Skin Care; a weekend for two at the Hotel Garbe.Everyone who contributed was a winner and those funds will going towards the AOA’s
To view photos click here
By Fiona Perris
Saturday’s live performances were the culmination of months of development and preparation that began as a germ of an idea and grew into blooming finale.
Ten finalists had been chosen at the auditions which were held back at the beginning of May (see get real May 12) and all gathered early on Saturday evening for a final sound check, each knowing that they had an over 30 per cent chance of ending the evening with a recording contract.
Already, by 7pm, the concert area was filled with a multitude of friends, family, fans and many curious passers-by enjoying the open air garden venue towered over by the deep red sandstone walls of Silves’ most famous landmark, the Moorish castle. And, it didn’t stop there throughout the entire evening more and more people appeared, enjoying the excellent talent that the judges had chosen to appear.
Sing a song
The order of appearance was chosen by way of a draw and, as each artist stepped up to the stage, any nervousness seemed to dissipate immediately as the music began.
In the first round each artist sang an up-tempo tune and each was rewarded with well-deserved hearty applause and during the interval Café Inglês was buzzing with speculation.
In the second half of the show each contestant sang a slower tune, the final chance to impress the judges with their vocal talents.
The performers were aided by Han, the sound engineer with almost everything going as planned until the final performance by 17 year old Gabriel de Rose, a young man whose stature and looks deceived many into thinking he was much older. There seemed to be a problem with the accompanying music and Gabriel stood up before the audience and truly sang solo, a challenge which was appreciated by all present.
Stars on the horizon
Then, suddenly, the contestants were all done and all that remained was to hear the judges decision, something that was decided relatively quickly, but still the contestants had to wait as the prizes from the raffle were drawn.
Eventually the four judges, Trevor Holman and Derek Ash of ARC Limited, the company offering the three recording contracts, Bill Elliott, former singer with Splinters and session singer and Charles May presenter of get real Talk Radio and director of get real, ascended the stage to announce the three lucky winners.
In third place came 19 year old Aaron Dempsey, a young British lad who is entertaining for a living at Satchmo’s in Montechoro. He received a one year recording contract for one single.
Second prize went to 17 year old Tom Bainbridge, also British, still a student, but who knows for how much longer. He also got a one year recording contract, but this one includes an album as well as a single release.
The man who captured the ears of the judges was Silvio Switha, a 30 year old Portuguese man who also entertains for a living. According to Trevor Holman, chairman of the judges, from the first round “it was a one horse race” and Silvio was visibly overwhelmed at finally achieving his dream, thanking the judges individually and all the spectators then sending special message to his girlfriend who he crushed in an embrace after he left the stage.
And the winner is…
I took Silvio aside after he had heard the good news and asked him how he felt: “I am very, very happy and I still can’t believe that I have one. It is my dream for a long time.”
He told me he had no idea of what kind music he would be singing just that he wanted to make “beautiful songs” and take his career further.
Silvio had sung a song by The Script and one by U2 to perform and I asked him why. “They both have melody. Music for me must have melody.” He told us his girlfriend had helped him choose his songs for the final and that he had discarded a track by Jason Mraz on her advice.
Silvio confessed he was willing to go anywhere his career took him and that he was amazed at the opportunity that the first get real talent had presented. “I have been to London to audition and other places because I was looking for my dream and I had to fight. I couldn’t believe that it was here in the Algarve, so close to home.”
It remains to be seen where Silvio’s career takes him, no doubt far and we all have high hopes – this guy really has got talent! In the meantime he plays, together with his band, at Mullgian’s in Vilamoura from Tuesday to Sunday from 11pm onwards.
Life savers
But, it wasn’t all about the talent; get real had nominated the Algarve Oncological Association as beneficiary of funds raised by way of a prize draw. Throughout the evening all those present, contestants, judges, staff and spectators alike, were approached by the get real team to buy raffle tickets at €5 a piece and the generosity was overwhelming, not only from those who brought tickets, but also those who donated prizes. Throughout the evening some of the guests stood up and donated further prizes to the draw and some people left with some superb prizes:
Dinner at O Almbique restaurant in Poço Barreto; dinner at the Café Inglês in Silves; dinner at Prima Pasta in Vale de Parra; dinner at Satchmo’s Bar and Restaurant in Montchoro; a €50 voucher for great British foodstuffs at Let the Magic In in Algoz; a €50 voucher for personalised clothing at Absolute Zero; an hour long massage donated by an unknown individual in the audience, a non-surgical facelift at Senses Skin Care; a weekend for two at the Hotel Garbe.Everyone who contributed was a winner and those funds will going towards the AOA’s
To view photos click here
Monday, June 1, 2009
Marketing Magician "Gets Real" with Exclusive Portuguese Agreement
Stefan Drew works with get real on an exclusive agreement in Portugal
Leamington Spa, United Kingdom, May 27, 2009 --(PR.com)-- Marketing Magician, Stefan Drew and English language newspaper “get real” are offering help to Algarve based businesses in a Portuguese exclusive. The offer, which includes free marketing advice and an Emarketing newsletter, is designed to help businesses overcome the recession and grow rapidly.
The help offered to businesses throughout Portugal, and beyond, follows a series of highly successful marketing seminars run at the Hotel Garbe in Armacâo de Pêra. Entrepreneurs from dozens of businesses, as diverse as real estate and finance to home automation systems and domiciliary services attended the seminars and, saw live examples of how they could improve their profits by getting on Page One of Google, advertising on Satnav and obtain worldwide media coverage without spending a single euro.
Announcing further help for Portuguese businesses Stefan Drew and “get real’s” Charles May explained how their unique partnership was already helping businesses.
Stefan Drew commented, “Each year I get a number of requests from the media to form exclusive partnerships. To date I have always refused partnerships with newspapers as I haven’t felt they really understand the needs of their advertisers. Or at least that was the case until I came across “gets real”. This is a newspaper that goes beyond the norm. It recognises that the day of the traditional paper has ended and that it is necessary to integrate printed papers with a high quality website that really helps both readers and advertisers equally.
For years I’ve upset the press by saying that most advertising is a waste of time and money. It is not that advertising per se is bad … just that most advertisers and newspapers don’t understand how to advertise effectively! For example knowing that adverts on a left hand page are far less effective than those on a right hand page most papers continue to sell left hand advertising at extortionate rates. Until I came across “get real” I’d never seen a newspaper, anywhere in the world, acknowledge this fact. “get real” refuses to run adverts on a left hand page. This is just one of the reasons I’m happy to have my name linked with them.”
Charles May commented, “We are delighted to be working with Stefan. His seminars were very well received by the Portuguese businesses that attended. He has a unique understanding of how marketing works. He recognises the value of the way we are integrating traditional print with an advanced website and radio broadcasting to help our readers and advertisers.
We now intend to publish a series of marketing articles written by Stefan. This will be supplemented by an Emarketing newsletter for entrepreneurs and businesses throughout Portugal and beyond and will again be written by our Marketing Magician, Stefan Drew.”
Marketing Magician "Gets Real" with Exclusive Portuguese Agreement
Exclusive agreement to help Portuguese businesses announced by Marketing Magician, Stefan Drew and English language paper, website and radio station
Leamington Spa, United Kingdom, May 27, 2009 --(PR.com)-- Marketing Magician, Stefan Drew and English language newspaper “get real” are offering help to Algarve based businesses in a Portuguese exclusive. The offer, which includes free marketing advice and an Emarketing newsletter, is designed to help businesses overcome the recession and grow rapidly.
The help offered to businesses throughout Portugal, and beyond, follows a series of highly successful marketing seminars run at the Hotel Garbe in Armacâo de Pêra. Entrepreneurs from dozens of businesses, as diverse as real estate and finance to home automation systems and domiciliary services attended the seminars and, saw live examples of how they could improve their profits by getting on Page One of Google, advertising on Satnav and obtain worldwide media coverage without spending a single euro.
Announcing further help for Portuguese businesses Stefan Drew and “get real’s” Charles May explained how their unique partnership was already helping businesses.
Stefan Drew commented, “Each year I get a number of requests from the media to form exclusive partnerships. To date I have always refused partnerships with newspapers as I haven’t felt they really understand the needs of their advertisers. Or at least that was the case until I came across “gets real”. This is a newspaper that goes beyond the norm. It recognises that the day of the traditional paper has ended and that it is necessary to integrate printed papers with a high quality website that really helps both readers and advertisers equally.
For years I’ve upset the press by saying that most advertising is a waste of time and money. It is not that advertising per se is bad … just that most advertisers and newspapers don’t understand how to advertise effectively! For example knowing that adverts on a left hand page are far less effective than those on a right hand page most papers continue to sell left hand advertising at extortionate rates. Until I came across “get real” I’d never seen a newspaper, anywhere in the world, acknowledge this fact. “get real” refuses to run adverts on a left hand page. This is just one of the reasons I’m happy to have my name linked with them.”
Charles May commented, “We are delighted to be working with Stefan. His seminars were very well received by the Portuguese businesses that attended. He has a unique understanding of how marketing works. He recognises the value of the way we are integrating traditional print with an advanced website and radio broadcasting to help our readers and advertisers.
We now intend to publish a series of marketing articles written by Stefan. This will be supplemented by an Emarketing newsletter for entrepreneurs and businesses throughout Portugal and beyond and will again be written by our Marketing Magician, Stefan Drew.”
Saturday, May 30, 2009
get real in the Algarve
get real the Algarve´s only free weekly newspaper distributed every Tuesday via supermarkets.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
What is Talent?
What is Talent?
By Trevor Holman
Well the obvious place to start is with the dictionary definition, and in my dictionary it says.
‘Talent is a special and often creative or artistic aptitude, the natural endowments of a person’.
I think the easiest way of explaining what I think talent means is to mention a few really talented people in their chosen field, and you’ll hopefully see what I mean. Take football as an example. The most talented footballers that spring to my mind are Pelé, George Best, Maradona and Johan Cruyff. Do you see what I’m getting at? In the world of entrepreneurs you have people like Alan Sugar, Richard Branson and of course Bill Gates. In snooker you’ve got Alex Higgins, Jimmy White and Ronnie O’Sullivan and in cricket the likes of Gary Sobers and Ian Botham.
What makes these people stand out from all the others in their chosen field? The simple answer is they make it look so easy, and that’s because they all have that special quality: Talent.
Our competition is looking for vocal talent - that special ability to make singing sound and look easy. Talent is often described as having ‘natural ability’, and in the 50’s there were people like Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Dean Martin and Bing Crosby who all sounded absolutely amazing without even trying. Or at least – that’s how they made it seem.
During the 60’s there were the Beatles, the Beach Boys, Cliff Richard etc. In the 70’s there was Abba, the Bee Gees and so on. In every decade musical talent has stood out from the rest, and all these people apart from making it look easy had one other thing in common - Longevity.
Talent isn’t something that suddenly happens out of the blue and then disappears again. Talent lasts, and that is something all of these stars had - talent that lasted. None of the people I’ve mentioned above were ‘one hit wonders’ - they all had the ability to make what they did seem easy, natural and long lasting. and that’s what we’re looking for with ‘Get Real Talent’.
Talent can’t be taught - you either have it or you don’t. It can be nurtured and with help from experienced people someone’s talent can develop and grow, but you can’t develop and grow something that’s not there to start with. A seed can grow into a beautiful flower, but you have to have the seed to start with and it’s no different with talent. That’s why it is often described as ‘God given talent’.
If you think you have a singing talent, then fill in the entry form and enter the competition. Perhaps you know someone who you think has talent - talk to them and get them to enter. We want to hear from as many people as possible because somewhere out there in the Algarve is a talent waiting to be developed and we are offering a 12 month recording contract to the eventual winner.
Could that be you?
You’ll never know unless you take part.
Well the obvious place to start is with the dictionary definition, and in my dictionary it says.
‘Talent is a special and often creative or artistic aptitude, the natural endowments of a person’.
I think the easiest way of explaining what I think talent means is to mention a few really talented people in their chosen field, and you’ll hopefully see what I mean. Take football as an example. The most talented footballers that spring to my mind are Pelé, George Best, Maradona and Johan Cruyff. Do you see what I’m getting at? In the world of entrepreneurs you have people like Alan Sugar, Richard Branson and of course Bill Gates. In snooker you’ve got Alex Higgins, Jimmy White and Ronnie O’Sullivan and in cricket the likes of Gary Sobers and Ian Botham.
What makes these people stand out from all the others in their chosen field? The simple answer is they make it look so easy, and that’s because they all have that special quality: Talent.
Our competition is looking for vocal talent - that special ability to make singing sound and look easy. Talent is often described as having ‘natural ability’, and in the 50’s there were people like Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Dean Martin and Bing Crosby who all sounded absolutely amazing without even trying. Or at least – that’s how they made it seem.
During the 60’s there were the Beatles, the Beach Boys, Cliff Richard etc. In the 70’s there was Abba, the Bee Gees and so on. In every decade musical talent has stood out from the rest, and all these people apart from making it look easy had one other thing in common - Longevity.
Talent isn’t something that suddenly happens out of the blue and then disappears again. Talent lasts, and that is something all of these stars had - talent that lasted. None of the people I’ve mentioned above were ‘one hit wonders’ - they all had the ability to make what they did seem easy, natural and long lasting. and that’s what we’re looking for with ‘Get Real Talent’.
Talent can’t be taught - you either have it or you don’t. It can be nurtured and with help from experienced people someone’s talent can develop and grow, but you can’t develop and grow something that’s not there to start with. A seed can grow into a beautiful flower, but you have to have the seed to start with and it’s no different with talent. That’s why it is often described as ‘God given talent’.
If you think you have a singing talent, then fill in the entry form and enter the competition. Perhaps you know someone who you think has talent - talk to them and get them to enter. We want to hear from as many people as possible because somewhere out there in the Algarve is a talent waiting to be developed and we are offering a 12 month recording contract to the eventual winner.
Could that be you?
You’ll never know unless you take part.
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