Search for singer/ songwriter down to the final four

The final contestants for the inaugural BBC Radio Scotland Singer/Songwriter Award have been revealed.

Following a public vote, four outstanding musical talents have earned a place in the live final on BBC Music Day, 26 September.

They are:

Liv Dawn from Loch Lomond area, who has a pop country style and crafts powerful stories through lyrics that relate to everyday life and relationships

Gus Harrower, from Edinburgh, who began learning the piano at the age six, and combines jazzy pop and classical training in his compositions

Mike McKenzie, from Edinburgh, influenced by his partner in 2018, began to explore the possibility of releasing material as a solo artist and found himself back at the piano where it all started

Scott Wallace, from Aberdeen, whose contemporary-pop meets accomplished blues style sounds modern yet classic

More details and films of the contestants performing their original compositions can be found here: bbc.co.uk/singersongwriter

Voting opened earlier this month, when the videos went online. The songs were also played on a variety of BBC Radio Scotland programmes during the voting period.

Now the scene is set for an exciting live final when judges – singer/songwriters Fran Healy, Horse McDonald and Karine Polwart, promoter Geoff Ellis and music industry executive, Dee Bahl – will choose Scotland’s newest musical star.

The event will take place at St Luke’s venue in Glasgow on BBC Music Day, 26 September, and will be hosted by Ricky Ross, acclaimed singer/songwriter of Deacon Blue, and host of BBC Radio Scotland’s Another Country.

Ahead of the final, the four contestants will be mentored by songwriter and producer, Davie Scott, lead vocalist with The Pearlfishers, and a leading light in the University of West Scotland’s Masters in Songwriting course.

Sharon Mair, executive producer, BBC Scotland, said: ‘The quality of the musicianship from all ten of those who were shortlisted has been exceptional. The audience have been enjoying their work over the last two weeks and they’ve chosen four superb talents.

‘It should be a great night on September 26 when Liv, Gus, Mike and Scott will be doing their best to impress our prestigious panel of judges to claim the inaugural award.’

The prize for the winner includes a recording session with BBC Scotland in Glasgow, an opportunity to play the King Tut’s stage at the TRNSMT Festival and a promotional video.

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