pete 2,499 Posted May 6, 2016 Share Posted May 6, 2016 (edited) THIS Scot is in pole-position to win Eurovision - despite not singing a single word. Read more at http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/whats-o...w1sFhqsHk10.99 Glasgow-born John Ballard penned the lyrics to the bookies' red-hot favourite You Are The Only One, which will be performed by Russia’s Sergey Lazarev. A video of Sergey performing the song on YouTube has already had over eight million views in less than two months. Soviet actor and TV presenter Sergey is just 2/1 with William Hill to be crowned 2016 Eurovision champion a week on Saturday, while hosts Sweden, his nearest rivals, are 10/1. Producer/songwriter John was born in Drumchapel but is now based in Gothenburg where he is a household name after producing numerous chart-topping hits, including three albums for Swedish pop group Ace of Base. He even had his own Friday night Swedish TV show and has had hits in countries across the globe including America, Japan, and Germany. He has also previously written lyrics for David Hasslehoff as well as penning the title song of the European version of animated blockbuster Ice Age. John, 64, moved to Sweden when he was in his early 20s and owns his own recording studio, Tuff Studios, as well as record company Heart Attack Music. The dad-of-three, who is planning on wearing his kilt to the Eurovision final in the Swedish capital Stockholm on Saturday night said: “I want to win. “Although not as popular in the UK, Eurovision is the equivalent of the World Cup for a lot of European countries. “It is extremely important for a lot of the countries entering it and is the biggest music event of the year in the whole of Sweden - it is a massive thing.” John is hoping this year will be third time lucky for him as far as Eurovision goes. In 2013 he was runner-up with Azerbaijan and the following year a song he wrote for Russia ended up in seventh place. John penned the lyrics to You Are The Only One after being sent several melodies by the Russians who were desperate for him to lend a hand in developing their entry. He has previously performed on the Scots folk scene with Billy Connolly, Watt Nicoll and Matt McGinn amongst others, and was inspired to write his latest lyrics by the chorus of an old Hamish Imlach song - The Zoological Gardens. Despite writing the lyrics, John revealed you won’t see him on the telly celebrating if Russia wins. He said: “The Russians, and most other competing nations, are adamant that their entries are only linked to people native to their own county, and the competition is totally fierce. “Even if we win next Saturday, I will not be in the Green Room because I am ‘only’ the songwriter. “The Russians will show off the people they want the world to see, so I will only be backstage but there is nothing I can do about that.” Speaking about living in the Scandinavian country, John revealed he has been invited to a party at the British Embassy in Sweden next week to celebrate his success. He added: “I have done very well here, and life is great in Sweden - I wouldn’t have stayed otherwise. “But I am still a big Scotsman at heart of course - you never lose that.” THE first heat of the Eurovision Song Contest – which will see half of the 36 countries perform their entries – will be on BBC Four on Tuesday, May 10, at 8pm. The second semi-final with the remaining 18 countries will air on BBC Four on Thursday, May 12, at 8pm. The grand finale will be broadcast live from the Globe Arena in Stockholm on BBC One on Saturday, May 14, from 8pm and BBC Radio 2. Read more at http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/whats-on/music-nightlife-news/rangers-fan-john-ballard-poised-7899985#h7RKmw1sFhqsHk10.99 Edited May 6, 2016 by pete 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
onevision 1,568 Posted May 6, 2016 Share Posted May 6, 2016 And could become the second Gers fan to win.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfeiCaRJgMY 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
der Berliner 3,744 Posted May 6, 2016 Share Posted May 6, 2016 ... that's what you call a blast from the past. Well, more like from the ancients 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluedell 5,624 Posted May 6, 2016 Share Posted May 6, 2016 I'd be happier if we kept quiet about this connection! 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MacK1950 2,376 Posted May 6, 2016 Share Posted May 6, 2016 John is yet another of many who went to Kingsridge Secondary school and was in the same year as Andy Gray who as we all know was one of us. Had heard that John went to Australia not long after leaving school and it is nice to hear that he is doing so well,so good luck to him in the contest. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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