Nicky-Byrne.com || Version 17 ||

Old News >> November 2005

Nicky's Diary From The Road

Hey guys

Been a fairly quiet week by Westlife standards. We flew back over to Jo�burg on Monday morning to play another gig in South Africa, then flew to Cape Town on the Tuesday and have been relaxing there ever since! We�re off back to Jo�burg this evening to play more gigs there tomorrow and Sunday, then we�re heading back to London on the Sunday evening.

That�s it for now folks.

Take care

Nicky x
----------------------------------------------
Added: 26th November 2005, source: Westlife.com

Made Diana's wish come true

When Diana became 60, she wished for a new list-topper. Boyband Westlife makes her wish come true - on the album "Face to Face" they sing a duet with the soul-diva.

When Diana Ross in 2003 became 60 years old, she had just one birthday-wish: a new hit. And she wanted exactly westlife to help here to the top on the lists. And so it ha happened: westlife and Diana Ross recorded a musicvideo in London not long ago. The boyband is now in norway for a short visit to promote their new album "Face to Face" - and they'll soon be back to sing during the Nobelconcert.

Surreal meeting
-To meet Diana Ross was totally fantastic, but surreal. She's a star! Everytime she turned around and looked at me, it hit me; "[censored], Diana Ross is singing to me!" She was super and made us relax, Mark Feehily tells us. The boyband-stars became "star-struck".
-Diana was great, I felt totally comfortable with her. When we met the Pope in 2001 i was extreemly nervous. The sweat ran. But except that - no, the most are just normal people, means Shane.
The rumours have ran infront of Westlife, about destroyed hotel-rooms, young girls, wild party's and drinking.
-If we're a little scandalous boy-band? hmmmyeh... no, we're young boys. We're irish. That explain most things, means shane Filan and lights up his third sigarette.

Enthusiastic about L�vland
First single from the new album, "You Raise Me Up", is written by Rolf L�vland. The single flew straight to the top in the brittish lists. The band is very happy about L�vland's song, and a norwegian composition probably find its way to the next Westlife-album.
-L�vland have writtena gorgeous song, with traces of irish folk-music. Now he's writing a new song for us, which we're looking very forward to hear, sais Mark.

Newly Westlife played to income for Nelson Mandela's childrenfond. In December they'll be on stage in Oslo Spectrum durin the Nobelconcert. -To support good sakes is important for us.
we've grown up in Dublin in an environment where you're teached to care for others, tells Mark.
Shane gets eager:
-We take part in cases thats obviously important. against hunger and poverty, for example. But big-political questions we stay away from. I cant declare myself in detail about complicated political questions, and think its stupid when popstars stands out like they are 'politic-people'.
-Do you have anyone in mind?
-hmmm,no.... sais Shane and laughs.
Last year Westlife's member Bryan McFadden the band to go solo. Rumours about splitting have been around after that, but westlife goes on - and does a big comeback after a little bit disapointing salesnumber for the last, Rat-Pack inspired album "Allow us to be frank".

Have found the syle
-I think the secret behind our sucsess is that we dont change. we've found the Westlife-style, and give the fans what they want, sais Shane. -do you mean that you trailor-make music to satisfie the fans?
Well, misunderstand me right - we wanna give the fans what they want. But we dont wanna sing songs we dont stand for ourselves, Shane underlines.
You have been going on for over 7 years. Does it sppear much noise/fighting in the badbus when you're that much together?
-Not that much. We're very close to each other, we've known each other since we were 12-13 years old and know eachothers difficulties. 90% of the time we're good friends.
-And the rest?
-Well, then we have a time-out.
----------------------------------------------
Added: 25th November 2005, source: Dagbladet/Hilde

Pop goes Christmas

Bookmakers have released the odds on this year's Christmas Number One, a month before the chart is revealed.

This year's coveted festive chart-topper will be announced on Christmas Day, with the 2005 "X-Factor" winner, Westlife and Girls Aloud currently heading the field.

A spokesman for HMV said today they're expecting a very competitive battle, with McFly, The Choirboys, Robbie Williams, Crazy Frog and Coldplay also in the running.

Stewart Allan, commented: "This is potentially one of the most open races for the Christmas No.1 in years.

"There's a very strong chance it will be the 'X-Factor' winner, but a lot depends on who actually wins it and, with the single being released midweek, whether it can make up for two days missing sales by the time the chart is announced on Christmas Day.

Bookmakers William Hill predict the following Top 10:

01 "X-Factor" winner - title tba (2/5)
02 Nizlopi "JCB Song" (9/2)
03 Westlife/Diana Ross "When You Tell Me..." (9/1)
04 Girls Aloud "See the Day" (25/1)
05 Keedie + England Cricket Team "Jerusalem" (10/1)
06 McFly "Ultraviolet / Ballad of Paul K" (50/1)
07 The Choirboys "Tears In Heaven" (12/1)
08 Robbie Williams "Advertising Space" (20/1)
09 Mariah Carey "Don't Forget About Us" (50/1)
10 Crazy Frog "Jingle Bells" (20/1)

Other contenders:
Sugababes "Ugly (50/1)
Tony Christie "Merry Xmas Everyone" (33/1)
Coldplay "Talk" (40/1)
----------------------------------------------
Added: 25th November 2005, source: DotMusic.com

Big break for SA singer
Marlise Scheepers

Alberton - He was an ordinary Afrikaans-speaking guy from Alberton on the East Rand.

But Warren Gray, 21, might soon reach international star status when he travels with boy band Westlife next year to be the opening act at their concerts.

Gray met the Westlife men during their visit to South Africa in 2002 when Brian McFadden was still a member of the band.

He maintained contact with McFadden and the rest of the band, and during their visit to South Africa this year, they listened to his debut album.

They were so impressed that they immediately decided he should open their shows in, among other places, Bloemfontein, Johannesburg and Sun City.

"It's a fantastic opportunity and I'm very excited," said Gray on Wednesday.

"It happened so fast and everything just fell into place. It's amazing."

Gray opened for them in Bloemfontein on Tuesday and will do so again at the Coca-Cola Dome in Northriding on Saturday. On Sunday he will open their show in the Sun City Superbowl.

"It all started in 2002 when Westlife was touring South Africa," he said.

"My dad was their bodyguard and I met them through him. We liked each other immediately and we had a lot in common, especially as far as music was concerned."

Gray will accompany them on their world tour in April next year.

"The tour starts in South Africa. We will then go to Ireland and then Britain."

Gray will open all their shows during the tour.
----------------------------------------------
Added: 25th November 2005, source: News24.com

Put a poser to Westlife
By Beci Wood

POP giants Westlife are one of the biggest bands on the planet.

The Irish heartthrobs have dominated the UK music scene for the past seven years, scoring a massive 13 No1s, five multi-platinum albums and selling 34 million records.

And their personal lives are just as interesting.

Pin-up Mark Feehily won support from fans in the summer after coming out about his long-term relationship with fellow singer Kevin McDaid.

Kian Egan is dating Hollyoaks totty Jodi Albert, Shane Filan celebrated becoming a dad in August after partner Gillian gave birth to a baby girl and Nicky Byrne is married to Bertie Ahern's daughter Georgina.

Their new album, Face To Face, features a collaboration with stunning legend Diana Ross.

When You Tell Me That You Love Me is out on December 12 and is a front-runner in the race to be this year's Christmas No1.

The band also have close links with X Factor contestants The Conway Sisters - the Irish girl band supported the guys on tour and sung at Shane Filan's wedding two year's ago.

We are chatting to Shane, Nicky, Mark and Kian next week so if you�ve got a question for them email it to webchats@the-sun.co.uk.

You may want to ask the guys what is was like working with legendary singer Diana Ross, what they really think of X Factor stars The Conway Sisters and their hectic personal lives.

Please mark your emails WESTLIFE and don't forget to include your name and where you are from.
----------------------------------------------
Added: 25th November 2005, source: The Sun Online

Record Of The Year

This Saturday 'Westlife - You Raise Me Up' will feature on Record of The Year: Final Countdown TV show on ITV1 at 4PM

Here's your chance to vote for the song you made number 1!!

Viewers will vote for their favourite song from the 30 biggest selling singles of the year in the UK in 2005. The ten artists who receive the most votes will perform on the show on the 10th December. So if you want to see the boys perform 'You Raise Me Up' on the show, start voting on Saturday.

As we're sure you're aware, Westlife have won 'Record of The Year' a record three times and this is our chance to make it four!!
----------------------------------------------
Added: 23rd November 2005, source: Westlife.com

Meteor Award nominations announced

The nominations for the 2006 Meteor Ireland Music Awards have been announced.

17 Meteor Ireland Music Awards will be presented in February, with public voting in six categories - Best Irish DJ, Best Irish Band, Best Irish Male, Best Irish Female, Best Irish Pop Act, Best Live Performance - and RT� 2fm listeners choosing who wins the Hope for 2006 award.

Westlife is nominated for Best Irish Pop Act along with The Conway Sisters, Ronan Keating, Brian McFadden, Tabby and Zoo.

Tickets are not available to buy for the awards ceremony, and will only be available through competitions, texting and online voting - full details and voting information can be found at www.meteor.ie.

The awards, hosted by comedian Patrick Kielty, will take place on Thursday 2 February 2006 and will be broadcast on RT� Two at 9pm on Sunday 5 February.
----------------------------------------------
Added 23rd November 2005, source: RTE.ie

Mark's Diary From The Road

Hey there

Mark here. This is what we�ve been doing this week.

We came down to London on Monday to spend the following day filming the video for the next single �When You Tell Me That You Love Me� with the one and only Diana Ross. I�m not allowed to give anything away, but I think you�ll love it! Then in the evening we did the Christmas lights switch-on on Oxford Street. It was amazing to see so many people there � thanks to everyone who turned up, it was a great night.

We had a day off on Wednesday, then hopped over to Oslo to do a Norwegian TV show on Thursday and then came back to London later that evening. Today we recorded �You Raise Me Up� in Belfast for tonight�s Children In Need. We�re heading off to South Africa this evening to do some more gigs over there.

That�s it for now.
Take care

Mark x
----------------------------------------------
Added: 20th November 2005, source: Westlife.com

Performers Announced for Nobel Concert
By Eva Lam

The 2005 Nobel Peace Prize Concert will feature a diverse mix of artists including veteran group Duran Duran, R&B legend Gladys Knight, singer-songwriter Damien Rice, Latin star Juanes and cellist Yo-Yo Ma, reports Billboard.

U.K. pop acts Sugababes and Westlife, Georgia-born/London-raised singer Katie Melua and classical vocalist Katherine Jenkins are also set to perform at the Dec. 11 event in Oslo, Norway.

The concert will take place at the Oslo Spektrum the evening following the official Nobel Peace Prize ceremony.

The Austria-based International Atomic Energy Agency is being given this year�s honour for its work to prevent nuclear energy from being used for military purposes.
----------------------------------------------
Added: 20th November 2005, source: andPOP

Westlife plan new year with Jackson

Irish crooners Westlife hope to see in 2006 by partying with pop superstar Michael Jackson - and plan to use the opportunity to discuss a collaboration.

The Flying Without Wings boyband have been invited to Diana Ross' New Year's Eve bash, where they expect to mingle with musical greats including the Thriller hitmaker.

Band member Nicky Byrne enthuses, "That would be a great way to see in the New Year.

"Diana's having a party that he'll be at this New Year's Eve and hopefully we'll be there.

"Maybe next year we'll work with him, who knows."
----------------------------------------------
Added: 18th November 2005, source: Contactmusic.com

Westlife turn on London

Irish boy bland Westlife were present to illuminate London on Tuesday night, when they turned on the city's 260,000 festive Christmas lights.

The crooning four-piece turned up for the important task of turning on the Oxford Street Christmas lights, signalling that the festive season is now underway.

The chart-topping band performed two of their hit singles for the squawking crowd and said they were delighted at being asked to press the switch this year.

"We never dreamed we'd be turning on the Oxford Street Christmas lights � it's a major honour," Westlife's Kian Egan told BBC News, as if he was receiving the Nobel Peace Prize, rather than just flicking a light-switch.

London was also trialling a new Light Up London scheme, which allowed people to sponsor a bulb in the display for �5.

The money raised will be donated to Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital, the Breast Cancer Campaign and Centrepoint.

Last night's event was hosted by radio presenters Jamie Theakston, Harriet Scott and Toby Anstis. In addition, X-Factor's Andy, Brenda, Nicholas and Chico also turned up to perform alongside Westlife.
----------------------------------------------
Added: 16th November 2005, source: InTheNews.co.uk

Westlife light-up Oxford Street

Boyband Westlife have turned on the Oxford Street Christmas lights.

The Irish singing group will also perform hits from its latest album including "You Raise Me Up" and "Face to Face".

X Factor contestants will also sing live, Brenda Edwards and Andy Abraham will duet, while solos will be sung by Nicholas Dosett and Chico Slimani.

Westlife's Kian Egan said: "The Oxford Street Christmas lights are a real institution - we hear they're going to be even bigger and brighter this year so we can't wait to flick that switch."

Themed around a traditional West End Christmas, this year's lights will be the brightest so far, 260,000 bulbs are being used - ten times more than before.

The event is hosted by radio presenters Jamie Theakston, Harriet Scott and Toby Anstis.
----------------------------------------------
Added: 16th November 2005, source: Channel 4 News, UK

Westlife tipped to beat X Factor

Westlife's duet with Diana Ross is the favourite to be number one at Christmas according to two leading bookmakers.

But a third has tipped the winner of the X Factor to top the singles chart.

Ladbrokes and Paddy Power both tip the Irish boy band for the top spot, with the as yet unnamed winner of the ITV1 talent show as their second favourite.

But William Hill has installed the X Factor champion - whom they tip to be 20-year-old Mancunian Shayne Ward - as 11/4 favourite for the Yuletide crown.

Viewers on Saturday night saw pop hopeful Maria Lawson voted off the programme by judge Louis Walsh.

The decision left William Hill reeling, having originally made the 30-year-old Londoner a 66/1 outsider to leave the programme.

"Sixy-six to one was completely the wrong price for Maria to leave the show, so we got completely hammered," said spokesman Rupert Adams.

William Hill now has Ward as 6/5 favourite to win the show, with 41-year-old Londoner Andy Abraham at 10/3.

BBC One's Strictly Come Dancing was the ratings winner on Saturday night, with 9.1 million watching compared with The X Factor's 8.5 million.

The ballroom dancing show was broadcast immediately after a live version of Match of the Day.

However, 8.2 million saw the X Factor results programme later in the evening, compared with 8 million for the Strictly Come Dancing equivalent.
----------------------------------------------
Added: 14th November 2005, source: BBC.co.uk

Win tickets to see Westlife!

iafrica.com and Sun International are giving five lucky readers the chance to win double tickets to the Westlife concert at the Sun City Superbowl on 27 November.

Relaxed, refreshed and bursting with energy, Westlife, the quiet superstars of the mainstream UK music scene, bounce back with their new album 'Face To Face'.

The album features all the hallmarks of their seven-year reign of the pop scene � it's a collection of classic songs and future standards.

'Face To Face' is Westlife's first collection of new songs since 'Turnaround' topped the charts in 2003.

"I think this album shows that Westlife are back in a big way. It's got the best material we've ever released," says group member Shane Filan confidently.

Fellow singer Nicholas Byrne agrees: "At the time 'Turnaround' seemed like one of our best albums � and this one feels even better."

And it's songs from this album � a familiar blend of big ballads and mid-tempo tunes, balanced by the occasional up-tempo song � that are sure to please fans at their concert on the 27th.

To stand a chance to win double tickets, simply answer the question on iafrica.com
----------------------------------------------
Added: 14th November 2005, source: iafrica.com

Westlife - The No. 1�s Tour Out Today

Westlife�s fantastic new live DVD has finally arrived! Featuring performances of their number one hits, a �best of� section, the video for �You Raise Me Up� and some brilliant behind-the-scenes footage, it�s essential viewing for all Westlife fans.

The DVD is available now in shops or online. Click here to order it from Amazon.
----------------------------------------------
Added: 14th November 2005, source: Westlife.com

The Di is cast as Westlife go all-out for Xmas No.1 spot
By Maureen Coleman

IRISH band Westlife are poised to steal the coveted number one spot this Christmas, music retailers and bookmakers predicted last night.

According to HMV, the boys are in line for their second festive number one thanks to their duet with Diana Ross, When You Tell Me That You Love Me.

Ladbrokes and William Hill are also tipping the chart-topping band to reach number one in Christmas week, offering odds of 11/4.

If they do hit the top spot, it will only be the second time, as they haven't had a Christmas number one since I Have A Dream in 1999.

Giving them a run for their money are young hopefuls The Choirboys with their version of the Eric Clapton's Tears In Heaven at 8/1, Crazy Frog at 5/1, and G4 featuring Robin Gibb with When A Child Is Born at 6/1.

Girls Aloud, who are looked after by Westlife's manager Louis Walsh, are contenders with their cover of the Dee C Lee hit See The Day, while former soldier James Blunt might sneak in with Goodbye My Lover.

The surprise hit of the festive season could be Nizlopi's The JCB Song, a track about dealing with dyslexia and school bullies. It was penned by one half of the Nizlopi duo, Luke Concannon, whose father and grandfather are both Irish.

Stewart Allan of HMV said: "The charts can be fairly predictable these days but the one time you just don't know what's going to happen is at Christmas.

"Often there's a novely hit that comes out of the blue or a big charity release, and sometimes there's a really hot new boy band or girl group that's pretty unstoppable."

Rupert Adams of William Hill said: "Over the years Christmas number one betting has become a national institution and we could not have hoped for a more competitive and open field.

"At present, Westlife and Diana Ross are the 9/4 favourites, but there are so many contenders that I am sure we will see a number of different favourites over the course of the next two months."

Fighting for the place at the top of the albums charts on Chirstmas week will be Eminem, Il Divo, Will Young and Robbie Williams.

Phil Penman, head of music at HMV, said: "Most years there's a stand-out album, which you just know will be the biggest seller of the Christmas period.

"Just recently, however, that appears to have changed. Who, for example, would have predicted last year that Scissor Sisters would not only be the Christmas number one album, but would also go on to be the biggest selling album of 2005?

"The perceived wisdom is that Il Divo will battle it out with Eminem, who has his Greatest Hits package out.

"However, Will Young is also a huge favourite, while both Madonna and Westlife have shown a major return to form and could push for the top spot as well."
----------------------------------------------
Added: 12th November 2005, source: Belfast Telegraph

Kian's Diary From The Road

Hi everyone

Mark was supposed to do this week�s diary, but he�s not around at the moment, so you�ve got me instead!

Anyway, this is going to be a quick one because we�re so busy at the moment it�s unreal. We�ve been out in South Africa all week performing at gigs in conjunction with the Nelson Mandela charity, which has been amazing. We�ve played in Cape Town and Jo�burg, both great places. We�ve also met up with the one & only Diana Ross to discuss the video shoot for our next single, �When You Tell Me That You Love Me�, so that was pretty special, as you can imagine.

Bye for now

Kian x
----------------------------------------------
Added: 12th November 2005, source: Westlife.com

Westlife at 94.7 Highveld Stereo

More pictures can be found here.
----------------------------------------------
Added: 10th November 2005, source: Highveld.co.za

Stars and politicians unite against hunger
By Linda Mbongwa and Botho Molosankwe

It was truly the night of the stars with cabinet ministers and the cream of South Africa attending the Unite of the Stars gala dinner.

The celebrities gathered at the Coca-Cola Dome in Northgate, north of Johannesburg, on Wednesday night in support of a worthy cause - to make a difference to those suffering through poverty.

The guests were entertained by international stars Diana Ross, Christina Aguilera, Westlife and Debra Cox. The South African line-up included Danny K, Heinz Winckler and the Soweto Gospel Choir.

The night was rounded off with an auction of valuables, including the diamond earrings worn by Aguilera during her performance, as well as a Lamborghini and a trip for two to Las Vegas to watch Celine Dion live in concert.

The guests were asked to dig deep into their pockets to support the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund, the Topsy Foundation and the St Mary's Hospital in Kwa-Zulu Natal.

Earlier in the day, singing sensations Lucia Micarelli and Debra Cox joined Westlife and Diana Ross's daughter Rhonda on a visit to Soweto.

The aim was to visit the African Children's Feeding Scheme (ACF), which is one of the beneficiaries of the Unite Against Hunger concert.

Micarelli, 22, said: "This has made me reflective and now that I am here and have seen what it is like for some people, I feel silly about what I am doing.

"It is an isolated and sheltered life we live. My life seems empty. Maybe doing my bit will make me a better musician."

Cox said of the Unite Against Hunger concert: "It is wonderful to see a diverse bunch of artists coming together for a great cause and I want to see it continued."

The ACF, located in Zone 3, Pimville, feeds 10 000 kids daily, most of whom are orphans and from child-headed families.

Executive director of the centre, Rejoice Nkutha, said she was ecstatic that the stars were doing something about the plight of many families.
----------------------------------------------
Added: 10th November 2005, source: Independent Online, South Africa

Westlife in South Africa

----------------------------------------------
Added: 9th November 2005, source: WireImage.com

International singers in SA for charity

JOHANNESBURG � A South African charity week will move into full swing on Wednesday with a performance of international musicians at a Johannesburg banquet.

The line-up includes soul diva Diana Ross, multiple Grammy Award winner Christina Aguilera, Broadway star Deborah Cox and Irish boy-band Westlife.

�It�s important to be on stage and sing to people for charity,� Westlife�s Kian told reporters in Johannesburg on Tuesday.

It was important for successful bands to take advantage of their status and get messages across, like charities, he said.

�It is really just brilliant that we can raise money for people.�

The Altech Grand Prix Week, which started last week with performances by US band the Violent Femmes, is aimed at raising money for charity organisations. These include the Nelson Mandela Children�s Fund, St Mary�s and the Topsy Foundation.

Performances throughout the week in Johannesburg and Cape Town will culminate in the grand prix on November 11, 12 and 13.

Aguilera, who is getting married soon, said on Tuesday she would love to spend more time in South Africa, but had to get back home to finalise plans.

�Being that it is so close to the wedding, a bride has to go home and prepare.

�This trip was cutting it close, but it was for a very important cause,� she said.

�It�s important to support good causes, and causes that you believe in.�

Cox told reporters one of her missions was to raise the awareness about organisations that wanted to help. She had done many performances for a variety of causes.

�I use music and singing as a platform... to make people aware of causes.�

Ross, who is the headline act at Wednesday�s charity banquet, said she felt a spiritual connection with South Africa and had brought most of her children with her to the country this time -- her second visit.

Ross� former husband was killed in a mountain accident in South Africa last year.

She said this trip was a �very emotional� one for her and her children.

Ross, Aguilera and Cox said they had hoped to visit Nelson Mandela while in the country, but were told he was away.

Cox offered to make herself available for Mandela�s charities and Aguilera said not meeting him was enough reason for her to come back to the country. � Sapa.
----------------------------------------------
Added: 9th November 2005, source: iAfrica.com, South Africa

Pre-Sale Westlife Tour Tickets!

Fantastic news - Westlife will be touring the UK and Republic of Ireland next spring! And to make sure you're among the first to get your hands on tickets, you'll be able to pre-order them next week by visiting one of the sites below.Venues and dates will be announced on Monday (7th November), and pre-sale tickets for Belfast will go on sale at 9am that day, and on general sale from Saturday 12th November. You'll be able to buy pre-sale tickets for the rest of the UK from 9am on Wednesday 9th November, and they'll go on general sale from Friday 11th November.

Visit one of these sites on Monday for full details:

Belfast link:

http://www.ticketmaster.ie/event/18003B64CEE5F0AC?artistid=711587&majorcatid=10001&minorcatid=1

Password: FACE

Rest of UK link:

http://www.getlive.co.uk/WestlifePresale
----------------------------------------------
Added: 7th November 2005, source: Westlife.com

Westlife Are Number One - Twice!

Westlife have scored a double number one this week, with Face To Face racing straight to the top of the album chart and their single �You Raise Me Up� holding on to the top spot for a second week.

The boys would like to say a big thank you to everyone for all their support.
----------------------------------------------
Added: 7th November 2005, source: Westlife.com

Full Top 10 of artist album sales in the UK since January 2000

1. Robbie Williams, 6.3million
2. Coldplay, 6.2m
3. Dido, 5.7m
4. Eminem, 4.7m
5. Westlife, 4.2m
6. Norah Jones, 3.3m
7. Blue, 3.3m
8. Anastacia, 3.1m
9. Stereophonics, 2.8m
10. Oasis, 2.6m
----------------------------------------------
Added: 6th November 2005, source: Sunday Mirror

Kian's �1M love-nest
By Suzanne Kerins

Kian Egan is setting up home with lover Jodi Albert.

In an exclusive interview the Westlife star - at No1 in the charts with You Raise Me Up - has told how he and former Hollyoaks beauty Jodi are moving in to a �1million pad in South West London.

And he revealed the pair have been busy planning the redecoration of the home in exclusive Chelsea Village - next door to billionaire Roman Abramovich.

Kian - whose band will take the No1 spot in the album charts tonight with new CD Face To Face - was on a promotional trip in Europe last week. On his return he headed straight to the interior design stores.

He revealed: "We haven't moved in yet but me and Jodi will be living there together. I've just got back and have been doing bits and pieces of shopping for the new apartment.

"We're not engaged yet. We will do, but a few years down the line. It's still very early for us."
----------------------------------------------
Added: 6th November 2005, source: Sunday Mirror

Novelist earns �1m from �perfect� song
By Jan Battles

Westlife are back on track after a long stint out of the limelight. Today the group�s album will debut at the top of the UK charts, thanks to their new hit single.
But while You Raise Me Up may have given Westlife its 13th No 1, the real winner is the Irish novelist and songwriter who wrote it.
Brendan Graham, 60, from Tipperary, has seen more than 100 artists record the track since he penned it in 2001, notching up an estimated 15m sales and earning him about �1m in royalties. Now Westlife, who sold about 200,000 albums last week alone, will add considerably to Graham�s retirement fund.

�I�m trying to work out what I did,� he said. �This is the pension song, as they say. At this game you don�t get a pension, so one needs the odd song like this. It�s fantastic.�

Louis Walsh, Westlife�s manager, was generous in Graham�s praise. �It�s all about the song � that�s actually selling the album,� he said. �It�s got something that just captures people. It�s going to sell millions and their album will sell millions worldwide too.�

The band members are modest about their input. �Without a doubt 80 to 90% of it is down to the song,� said Kian Egan. �We are back with a big bang. If we had come back with a plain pop song, I don�t think we would have got anything like this reaction.�

Westlife are the 103rd artists to record the anthemic ballad. As well as versions by artists in Ireland, Britain and America, the song has been recorded in Spanish, Italian, Portugese, Swedish and Norwegian and there are several Asian translations.

�The variety is quite interesting. It has been picked up by classical artists, pop and everything in between, including country and gospel,� said Rolf Lovland, a Norwegian composer who co-wrote the song with Graham and splits the royalties. �The last one was a disco version.�

Lovland originally wrote the music for You Raise Me Up for Secret Garden, his own musical act with Fionnuala Sherry, an Irish violinist. They won Eurovision in 1995 with an instrumental track, Nocturne.

Lovland asked Graham to write the lyrics for the melody after reading the writer�s first novel, The Whitest Flower, set during the great famine. �Brendan wrote some very powerful words to it � it was a piece of genius work he did,� said Lovland. Brian Kennedy sang on the Secret Garden version, a No 1 hit in Norway.

It was this record that David Foster, an American record producer, heard and decided to give to his proteg�, a 22-year-old pop opera singer called Josh Groban. Groban�s version topped the Billboard adult contemporary chart for seven weeks, and was nominated for a Grammy. It was released as a single from his album Closer, which sold 6m copies.

Foster, in an RTE documentary last year, described the track, which has echoes of traditional Irish airs such as Danny Boy, as �darn near a perfect song�.

Selah, a US band, had a No 1 in the Christian charts with their version last year. The track has been adopted by religious congregations of all denominations across America for use in services.

It is being used in trauma and cancer recovery programmes and in anti-bullying courses. It is one of the most used songs at weddings, but is also one of the most sung at funerals.

�People see the song in different ways; some as a love song, others as a spiritual one,� said Graham. �In America it has taken on the mantle of a patriotic song.� Both American presidential candidates wanted to use it in their election campaigns but Graham has a clause in his contract that says his work can�t be used in politics.

Graham became a full-time songwriter after losing his job in the clothing industry in 1993. The following year his song Rock�n�roll Kids, sung by Charlie McGettigan and Paul Harrington, won the Eurovision. In 1996, Eimear Quinn won the song contest with Graham�s composition The Voice.

That year he began writing novels after landing a publishing deal with HarperCollins. The third book in his trilogy will be released this week and features Graham�s most famous song in a central scene, in which a confederate soldier sings it to a young Irish nun.

Among those who have recorded the song are Daniel O�Donnell, and Tommy Fleming, who is two places behind Westlife in the Irish album chart with Voice of Hope, which also contains the track.
----------------------------------------------
Added: 6th November 2005, source: The Sunday Times, UK

Shane's Diary From The Road

Hey there

This is how our week�s looked�

Monday was of course the day of our album release. Looks like it�s doing really well, so a big thanks to everyone who�s bought it. We did Loose Women at lunchtime and performed �You Raise Me Up� plus a new track off the album, �Desperado�, as well as getting a grilling from the Loose Women themselves! Then we hopped on the plane to Germany to do radio interviews in Frankfurt on Tuesday and a TV appearance in Berlin on Wednesday.

Yesterday and today are days off for us, so we�ve had some time to chill out and recharge the batteries. Tomorrow we�re off to Kent to do a performance at the beautiful Leeds Castle in Maidstone, so that should be brilliant, we�re really looking forward to that. And on Sunday we�re travelling to Hillsborough for a performance and fireworks display � another great evening I reckon!

I also want to say thanks so much from all of us for giving us our 13th number one single. We really appreciate all of your support.

Bye for now

Shane x
----------------------------------------------
Added: 4th November 2005, source: Westlife.com

Westlife want fun, SA's sun

Cape Town - Popular boy band Westlife say they're looking forward to visiting South Africa.

The group, who recently released a new album, Face to Face, will soon visit South Africa for the second time this year.

Nicky Byrne, one of the four Westlife singers, said from Germany that they love meeting their fans.

"When we performed in South Africa in March for the first time in six years, we thought: 'Why did we wait so long to come here? Let's come back as soon as possible!'"

Westlife are currently on a promotional tour for their new album. Byrne said they're very excited about their latest offering. "The CD was made over a two-year period and has a lot of new songs on. There is something for everybody."

They plan to visit a number of countries before Christmas.

"We are in Stuttgart at the moment and, apart from South Africa, we are also visiting Scandinavia, the Netherlands and England."

They see travelling all over the globe as part of their work. "We still have a lot of fun, particularly when an album is well received. It is very important for us to enjoy what we do."

While the singers are in South Africa, they will take the stage with diva Diana Ross at her concert on November 11 at the Bellville Velodrome.

The group also recorded one of the tracks on the album with Ross. "We will sing When you tell me that you love me with her. We also plan to make a music video for the song in South Africa."

It will be the second music video that the band shoots in South Africa.

The video of the hit single, When you're looking like that, was also made locally.

The concert in which they are appearing with Ross is in aid of several charity organisations such as the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund and Unite Against Hunger.

"It is always wonderful to be part of a project with a good purpose," Byrne said. "We want to thank our fans in South Africa and we are looking forward to tanning under the warm sun!"
----------------------------------------------
Added: 4th November 2005, source: News24.com

Westlife to Perform at Kyalami During Altech Grand Masters

To celebrate the inaugural race of the Altech Grand Prix Masters, international boy band, WESTLIFE will be performing on 13 November at Kyalami with some of South Africa�s TOP IDOLS and SWALLOW FIFTEEN.

Relaxed, refreshed and bursting with energy, Westlife, the quiet superstars of the mainstream UK music scene, bounce back with their new album 'Face To Face.' It's a World that they have dominated for seven years and the album features all the hallmarks of that reign � a collection of classic songs and future standards. In brief, 'Face To Face' finds Westlife doing what they've always done best.

After a brief interlude with their Rat Pack album of classic song sung in the style of Sinatra, 'Face To Face' is Westlife's first collection of new songs since 'Turnaround' topped the charts in 2003. "I think this album shows that Westlife are back in a big way. It's got the best material we've ever released," says Shane confidently Agrees Nicky: "At the time Turnaround seemed like one of our best albums � and this one feels even better."

A familiar blend of big ballads and mid-tempo tunes, balanced by the occasional up-tempo song, 'Face To Face' presents Westlife playing to their strengths - passionate vocals and memorable tunes. It's a straightforward formula that's been winning hearts and ears since the dawn of popular music, from the doo-wop days of the Platters, through the timeless harmonies of the Drifters and Coasters, to the slick modern sounds of Backstreet Boys and *NSYNC, Take That and Boyzone. But no one's done it with so much success as Westlife - 44 million album sales are testament to that!

Their much anticipated new album will be released in SA shores on 1 November and includes a spectacular collaboration with DIVA Diana Ross.
----------------------------------------------
Added: 1st November 2005, source: Paddocktalk.com

Westlife goes on

Westlife are threatening to take over the entire pop world in the coming months, having claimed the UK Number One single last weekend.

The Irish boyband displaced the Arctic Monkeys on Sunday, with their current single "You Raise Me Up" and are also set to claim the top spot on the album chart this weekend.

According to first day sales, their new album, "Face To Face", sold almost 70,000 copies on day of release yesterday, which will be enough to dethrone Robbie Williams on Sunday.

If they do overhaul Robbie's "Intensive Care", it will give the quartet their fifth chart-topping album in six years.

Meanwhile, Westlife have also been installed as favourites for this year's Christmas Number One, with their Diana Ross duet "When You Tell Me That You Love Me".

Currently heading the field for the hallowed festive top spot with odds of 4-1, their closest rivals are Crazy Frog, James Blunt, Tony Christie, Robbie and The Choir Boys.

It's also been reported there will be further competition for Westlife in the shape of The Pogues' Christmas classic, "Fairytale In New York", which is apparently going to be re-released.
----------------------------------------------
Added: 1st November 2005, source: DotMusic.com

�Back