BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

20/11/2006

Belarus: Dmitry Koldun seems to have broken the rules of national selection

Joshua Matina reporting from Toronto (Canada)

As ESCKaz managed to find out song "Get Up" submitted to "Eurofest" competition by Belarus/Russian performer Dmitry Koldun and his producer Victor Drobysh is already released comercially by Finnish band The Ratzz. Song, called in Finnish version "Aave", written by Jorgen Elofsson, Maki Kolehmainen and Tracy Lipp was included into the debut album of the band "Hard Ratzz Hallelujah". As ESCKaz was told by representative of label Helsinki Music Center: "We were not aware that Dmitry Koldun had been performing the song. The rights for both Aave and Get Up, Get Down, Get Crazy are posessed by HMC & BMG Music Publishing Scandinavia, song was already published by us on The Ratzz album". According to the application form for participation in the national Belarus preselection, songs and their elements: music and lyrics, taking part in any stage of the contest should comply with the Rules for the National Musical Project EuroFest and Rules of ESC 2007.

Rules of "Eurofest" state following: "Songs should not be anyhow used by the participant or organizers before the selection show". BTRC has also specially notified us that this provision is first of all related to distribution and sharing the rights for the competing songs. It is clear that song, which already had been released by other performer, prior to the date of Belarus preselection concert, is breaking this rule.

Besides that, ESCKaz managed to learn that Dmitry Koldun was regulary performing song "Get Up" in a tour of "Stars Factory 6", including the series of commercial concerts on a territory of Belarus in the beginning of September. Song was also available since mid-September in the internet - at the official site of Dmitry Koldun one can find concert live audio and video recording, studio instrumental and lyrics of the composition. Both facts are prohibitied this time by "Eurovision Song Contest 2007" regulations, that do not allow competing songs to be publicly performed before October 1st 2006. Same rule is repeated in the "Eurofest" rules in following variant, paragraph 2.1: "The songs for contest ("entries") (lyrics and music) must not have been commercially released and/or publicly performed before 1 October 2006. The entry as a copyright object must not have been released through the Internet or any other media".

Considering above mentioned facts we just have to finalize that "Get Up" shouldn't be allowed to take part in Belarus national preselection Eurofest for Eurovision Song Contest 2007. ESCKaz had informed BTRC with investigation details. We'd like also to remind you that this is not first case of breaking Eurovision rules by well-known Russian producer Victor Drobysh. In 2005 he submitted to National Russian preselection for Eurovision 2005 song "Samo soboy" performed by Slava, which appeared to be cover version of famous Finnish song "Lopeta" performed originally by TikTak and written by same Maki Kolehmainen. Later producer explained that as an oversight of his employees. Song was disqualified. But this time "oversight" has repeated again. It seems producer has gained good experience working with cover versions and plagiarism cases in his show on Radio Sputnik "Feel the Difference", that he keeps using this experience with every possible chance. Main aim of that show was formulated like this: "Listeners have the chance to listen to original song, it's plagiated variant, and taking pleasure from the talk between hosts Drobysh and Razumovski, give own verdict on the singer-plagiator "Guilty or not".

In the same year of 2005 Victor Drobysh also has entered another ineligible song breaking "October 1" rule performed by band KGB "Stop". Interestingly, presently Dmitry Koldun is also part of this trio. Also during Eurovision 2005 team of Drobysh became the reason of big international scandal - official website of Natalia Podolskaya declared, basing on the words of producer, that members of famous Rasmus band will join Natalia on Eurovision stage as backing musiciants. After band itself learn about this rumour they had to officially deny it sending press-release to many European mass-media.

Belarus singer Natalia Podolskaya debuted at National Belarus preselection for Eurovision song contest 2004 and thanks to this step was noticed by producers and fans. After that she enjoyed success on Russian "Stars Factory" Idol type show, worked with Victor Drobysh, and after comptelely misused by management preparation period, she reached very poor result at Eurovision 2005. Producer promised he will never go Eurovision again stating: "I have recommendation to all: do not enter this contest. For me this contest is dead". However the story continues with another young Belarus performer, who debuted at local preselection a year ago, and won "Stars Factory" show.

Source:

http://www.oikotimes.com/site/index.php?id=6928