SUSAN BOYLE REHEARSES WITH JAI MCDOWALL AHEAD OF 2020 TOUR

Pic: Steve Walsh

Fans will be in for a treat after seeing Susan Boyle team up with Jai McDowall for her upcoming tour. 

The BGT star hits the road in March 2020, and a successful first rehearsal, saw the addition of fellow BGT alumni Jai McDowall as special guest for “The Ten Tour”.

Susan, along with Jai McDowall and a dazzling array of the industry’s best musicians are coming to the stage this Spring, performing in 15 cities across the United Kingdom, starting on the 3rd of March through to the 25th of March, 2020.

Susan said; “I was looking forward to my tour, but getting into the studio and rehearsing and coming up with exciting new material and suggestions, I can’t wait to get back on that stage. I’m also looking forward to Jai joining as well. This will be an all-new show, like nothing you’ve seen me do before.”

Jai added, “After a very successful first rehearsal with Susan I am beyond excited to start the tour it’s going to be incredible and the fans are in for a real treat, can’t wait to hit the road in March 2020.”

With brand new production, staging and choreography, “The Ten Tour” is set to wow audiences. The spectacular concert, will feature her greatest hits and some incredible new genres of music in an honest and intimate show that will inspire and delight, just as she did ten years ago.

Following on from the phenomenal success of Susan’s sell out UK tour in 2013 and USA tour in 2014, she is not only singing into the top venues in the country, but into the hearts of the Brits. “The Ten Tour” is traveling throughout the U.K. including stops in Edinburgh, Manchester, Cardiff, Birmingham and Dundee, in this 15 show extravaganza.

For up to date information and to purchase tickets visit www.susanboylemusic.com

LEWIS CAPALDI GETS CAPITAL RADIO BOSSES WORRIED AHEAD OF SHOW

Beverley Lyons
LEWIS Capaldi has already got the bosses of Capital Radio worried about his forthcoming appearance on the new station.
Breakfast show presenters Roman Kemp, Vick Hope and Sonny Jay revealed that Lewis is one of the first big names lined up for when they take over the Scottish airwaves on April 8 - and they admitted they’re already worried about what he might say.
Ronan who was in the city’s Malmaison to launch the new national takeover of the Breakfast show previously presented by Des Clarke and Jennie Cook claimed: “When we do go national one of our first live guests is Lewis Capadli and when he is on the show I’ve got to have the quickest hands in radio to reach for my bleep button.”
Lewis is known for uttering the odd expletive and recently did so at the Brits. He also likes to talk about toilet functions a lot.
Ronan, whose father is Martin Kemp of Spandau Ballet and Eastenders game added:  “When you bring a real artist like that, someone who people have literally seen from start to finish or to where he is now it’s more interesting to have that than a robotic voice that has said stuff a million times.”
Sonny admitted that the station were concerned. He added: “I’m going to call it now. He’s going to get us in a lot of trouble. It’s not a challenge though Lewis.”
The trio believe that Lewis night even give former guests Miley Cyrus and Love Islands Chris Hughes a run for their money.
Miley got her bum slapped on Capital and talked about finishing a joint at the MTV awards as well as playing a dodgy game of Mr and Mrs with Mark Ronson.
Love Islands Chris Hughes revealed he’d sent some dodgy DMs live on the breakfast show.
Vicky said: “The two biggest bits of trouble we’ve got in from artists that have said something on air they shouldn’t have done when we were going live could not be further apart. Miley Cyrus got us into trouble and Chris Hughes from Love Island got us into trouble. Those two between them have done the worst. Lewis Capaldi may very well top them.”
The presenters enjoyed their flying visit to Scotland to meet up with Drivetime presenter Garry Spence. They say they can’t wait to return, join in with some more Scots hospitality and bring some of their celebrity friends with them next time they are up.
From Scotland with Love Theshowbizlion.com

ARIANA GRANDE WANTS GLASGOW FANS TO BRING PLASTIC BAGS TO HYDRO GIG

Beverley Lyons
Ariana Grande has asked fans going to her Glasgow gig to bring all their belongings in clear plastic bags.
The Thank U, Next singer will appear at the city’s SSE Hydro in September 17 and has made the move in the wake of the Manchester arena bombing which saw twenty two people being killed.
Scots have been asked to use a see through bag no bigger than 12 inches by six inches by 12inches like a one gallon resealable freezer bag - ziplock or similar. The bags must be made of plastic, clear vinyl or pvc and no cameras or recording devices aside from a phone camera are permitted.
The star is also offering her own brand of clear plastic bum bags in her site for eight dollars and U.K. fans have asked her to make them available here ahead of the tour.
Ariana told her fans: “We’re sending out emails soon encouraging you to order a clear bag to bring your things into the venues as security is going to be very precise and smooth but for sure super strict.
They’re super cheap and simple but having them ahead of time will for sure help things go as smooth as possible so if you see this in your emails please don’t ignore it!
My team n i appreciate it very much! p.s. any clear bags within a certain size (all info will be in the [email]) are totally fine to bring if you already have your own, i just wanted to make sure you saw these and knew about all this ahead of time so everything can go as smoothly and safely as possible.”

SCOTTISH LADY GAGA FANS WAIT FOR HOT DATE AS SHE ANNOUNCES 2017 TOUR

LADY Gaga has just announced the first dates of a world tour following her epic Super Bowl performance.
The brilliant star who is a favourite of TheShowbizlion.com since we met her years ago when she supported (yes supported!) The Pussycat Dolls in Glasgow, announced the Joanne tour just hours after her stellar show Stateside.
This is Lady Gaga’s first solo tour since her 2014 Monster Ball extravaganza, and is in conjunction with her fifth album Joanne.
It starts Off in Vancourver, Canada, on August 1 – before Gaga heads across the United States and into South America.
Gags will then play her first Europe date, in Barcelona, Spain on September 22 and also has scheduled in three UK dates so far.
She'll play the 02 London on Monday October 9 then the Birmingham Barclaycard Arena on Sunday October 15 and Manchester Arena on Tuesday October 17.
A Scottish date has not yet been announced but we know Gaga loves her Caledonian fans so we're sure it's only a matter of time...


The Super Bowl performance last night showed off the stars singing, dancing, piano playing, jumping and ball catching skills against a backdrop of illuminated drones and has already notched up millions of views online. Her set list consisted of the tracks below and we're sure she'll include these and more kn her next tour.
Presale Tickets are available this Thursday at 9am.

This Land Is Your Land
Just Dance (excerpt)
Edge Of Glory (excerpt)
Poker Face
Born This Way
Telephone
Just Dance
Million Reasons
Bad Romance



- Posted with love from Scotland by theShowbizLion.com

CAITLYN VANBECK VERSUS SIMON COWELL FOR XMAS HIT

X FACTOR contestants Caitlyn Van Beck and Nate Simpson have formed their own group called The Underdogs - and are going up against the X Factor winner for a Christmas Number One.
Tranent gal Caitlyn who reached the judges houses stage of the competition and Nate who was described as having a voice like Jesus by Nicole Scherzinger got together with eighties music legend Pete Hammond to write the new track Retro Soul (So Hot).
Pete did all the programming for Stock Aitken and Waterman on hits for Kylie, Rick Ashley and Bananarama and is nicknamed Pete 100 hits.
Caitlyn and Nate plan to release their single on Friday December 9.
Caitlyn said: "Coming off the X Factor was quite a blow but having the opportunity to work with the legendary Pete Hammond and of course Nate has just been incredible."

Excerpts of this article appeared in the Scottish Sun



- Posted with love from Scotland by theShowbizLion.com

LEO DICAPRIO STAYS IN FORMER MONASTERY IN EDINBURGH

Beverley Lyons
HOLLYWOOD hunk Leo Dicaprio jetted into Edinburgh a day ahead of his Scottish sandwich chain visit to stay at the site of a former monastery.
Despite his reputed love of the ladies and hard partying, Leo chose to get some chill out time at the opulent Prestonfield House hotel which was built on the site of a wealthy monastery, founded in 1150 by Henry, Earl of Northumbria.


The hotel at the bottom of Arthur's Seat was formerly called Priestfield House and since it was converted in the 60s has played host to Sandie Shaw, Winston Churchill, Margaret Thatcher, Sean Connery. Elton John, Catherine Zeta Jones and Oliver Reed.
Great Gatsby actor Leo was keen to get some downtime with his posse and checked into the stunning historical venue which boasts tapestries and antiques in every room to enjoy some traditional Scots hospitality.


He and his posse of around twelve asked to look round the hotel with its eighteen bedrooms and five suites and it's grounds including its specialised Whisky Room with its velvet wallpaper, antler chairs and drinks cabinet boasting hugely expensive malts.


They also visited the Tapestry room with its curios from around the world and Leather room which features leather wallpaper.
Leo was surrounded by a team of security as he sat down to dinner in one of the swish oval shaped rooms of the Rhubarb Restaurant.


As eager staff members kept a watchful eye on his table the tension was palpable.
Leo who was sporting a hat and dressed casually for the occasion appeared to be in a jovial mood while his security team scanned the room.
The restaurant offers an array of fine foods including celery soup with summer truffle foam, Perthshire rabbit, cured Shetland salmon, Roast roe deer loin, Angus beef and Peterhead hake.
After dinner Leo and his team were asking hotel staff about where to go in Edinburgh as his chauffeur driven fleet of cars awaited instruction outside.
As his team waited in the cold to see if


Leo was in the mood to party, it appears that the rain put him off and he decided to have an early night to prepare for his big day today. The star visited Home restaurant before appearing at the Scottish Business Awards tonight.
Home is the new venture from Josh Littlejohn and Dean Gassabi, who own the Maison Bleue restaurants, and is a part of Social Bite.
Located on Queensferry Street in the west end of Edinburgh, Home not only offers suspended food and drinks, but it also provides training and employment for members of the Social Bite Academy, a four-year paid course for homeless people.
The Scottish Business Awards take place tonight at the EICC and costs £1000 for a table of ten.

Segments of this article have now appeared in the Scottish Sun


- Posted with love from Scotland by theShowbizLion.com

JUSTIN BIEBER'S DOG WANTS TO RETURN TO SCOTLAND

JUSTIN Bieber's dog Esther has become an even bigger favourite with Scots fans after she posted that she was 'missing Scotland' on her own Instagram account.
Esther the pup accompanied Justin on his visit to Scotland and was seen roamin in the gloamin as he spent time at his Perthshire residence.
Esther is a smaller black and brown Yorkshire terrier who is Justin's newest puppy.
She has more than 730,000 followers online on her account estherthecutie and has only posted 83 times since April 2015.
Last night around eleven pm, just after Justin came off stage in Germany, the cute little doggy who tends to reflect what Justin thinks admitted she would love to return to Scotland.
As she posted up a pic of herself with her famous daddy taken at the walls of Kinross House she wrote: "Missing Scotland."
Fans have gone wild following her latest comment.
Samya said: "And we miss you Justin, come back."
Natalie Rosie added: "Scotland misses you!!."
And Scottishbelieber1994 said: "Your more than welcome to come back Esther."


Excerpts of this article appeared in The Sun


- Posted with love from Scotland by theShowbizLion.com

JUSTIN BIEBER IN SCOTLAND'S COLDEST HOUSE

JUSTIN Bieber shunned top hotels to rent out a luxury mansion once known as 'Scotland's coldest house' in the heart of Perthshire for his four day visit to Scotland.
The singing star who plays the SSE Hydro tonight, Saturday and Sunday, is staying in the exquisite Kinross House, a late 17th century country house overlooking Loch Leven near Kinross - where T in The Park festival used to be held.
A tired Justin arrived at the house shortly before 3am this morning after his private Citation Jet landed at Glasgow airport at around one thirty am.
He was met by a fleet of people carriers and his own vehicle was kitted out with a large screen tv to allow him to relax after playing a show in Sheffield Arena.
The screen could be seen flickering as he made his journey to the house where he was met by a team of security who let him in though the huge electric gates.


The house boasts the first grand designed landscape in Scotland with Loch Leven Castle at its centre, a castle steeped in history having played host to Robert the Bruce, Sir William Wallace, John Knox and where Mary Queen of Scots was both imprisoned and abdicated in favour of her son James VI.
The fourteen bedroom house which also has an adjoining coach house with ten ensuite bedrooms and private spa was built in 1686, by the architect Sir William Bruce and is regarded as one of his finest works.
It hosts a formal dining room for up to 32 people - which would suit Justin's sizeable entourage - as well as an extensive whisky library with plenty of spirits on offer.
The house also has The Grand Salon, Garden Room, Gentlemen’s Drawing Room, Ladies' Drawing Room and Library and was called by Robinson Crusoe author Daniel Defoe "the most beautiful and regular piece of Architecture in Scotland".
As undoubtedly the most important early classical mansion in Scotland, it retains most of its original internal decoration and was occupied for 200 years as the home of the Montgomery family, who purchased the property in the late 18th century.
Despite its grandeur, it has been described as "the coldest house in Scotland", as until it was sold by the Montgomery family, it had only four radiators.
In 2010, it was sold for £4.25 million to Donald Fothergill, an English businessman, who thoroughly refurbished the house.
Some reckon it's haunted which would make it the ideal location for a Bieber Halloween party.

Excerpts of this original article exclusively appeared in the Sun

- Posted with love from Scotland by theShowbizLion.com

WIN LUNCH WITH LEO DICAPRIO IN EDINBURGH

LEO DiCaprio has agreed to have a lunch date with one very special person in Scotland - and it could be you!
For a £5 donation that will go to feed the homeless at Edinburgh’s Home, a new restaurant from the teams behind Social Bite and Maison Bleue – , you will have a chance to attend a VIP lunch with Sir Tom Hunter, Chairman of the Scottish Business Awards, and this year’s keynote speaker Leonardo DiCaprio.
Last year, one very lucky gal got the chance to cosy up to George Clooney over grub in Edinburgh after over £400,000 was donated through website Itison to Social Bite, allowing them to feed the homeless for an entire year throughout Scotland.
This year all you need to do to enter is head to Itison.com, donate a fiver and you could be in for a chance of lunch with Leo.
The cause makes a big difference in the lives of so many people, and will allow homeless people to dine with dignity in the amazing new restaurant - Home. So dig deep and donate multiple times.
Your donation will buy a meal for a homeless person at Home in Edinburgh, a brand new restaurant pairing incredible cuisine with a charitable heart.
Home is a partnership with Social Bite and Edinburgh Restaurant group Maison Bleue, with renowned chef Martin Wishart dreaming up monthly specials, and even donning the Home apron and cooking several times each year.
As well as serving great food to the public, the restaurant provides those in need with free meals, as well as giving homeless people jobs and the training they need to get back on their feet and really break the cycle.
For more info on Home visit: www.home-restaurant.co.uk or phone 0131 220 0773 to book.
The winner will be selected and informed on Friday 11 November and will also receive:
An overnight stay for two with dinner at The George Hotel (only you will attend the lunch)
1st class travel within Scotland to Edinburgh with ScotRail (where available)
A £1,000 Champagne and shopping experience at ROX, George Street



- Posted with love from Scotland by theShowbizLion.com

PELE TALKS MARRIAGE AND MEETS SCOTS SICK KIDS

Exclusive
Beverley Lyons
SOCCER superstar Pele has spoken for the first time about his new marriage - admitting it was about time he made the commitment.
The greatest player of all time was appearing at a swish dinner and Q and A in Glasgow's Crown Plaza hotel when one of the guests congratulated him on his recent nuptials.
Pele who married his third wife 50 year old Marcia Cibele Aoki in July replied: "I felt I needed to fix something. After five years it was time to be done."
He added: "We are very happy."
The two lovebirds got together in 2010 following a chance meeting in a lift in São Paulo when Marcia invited Pele to see a home renovation she’d done.
The two had planned to marry a couple of years ago but the ceremony had to be postponed after he suffered health problems.
Pele truly made his mark on his Scots fans during his flying visit.
He also made dreams come true for sick kids from the Les Hoey MBE Dreammaker Foundation after inviting them to meet him.


Pele was introduced to kids including eight year old leukaemia sufferer Kai Green from Balarnock, Paisley's Mitchell Connell, 13, and
Michael Glen from Paisley.
Kai who was with his brother Sean said: "It was brilliant meeting Pele. He asked me what position I play and I told I'm I was a striker."


Mitchell who hasn't been able to play as much football since being diagnosed a year ago said: "It was amazing. He's such a legend and we talked about football and how he scored goals."


And Michael smiled: "Pele told me to kill the goalie."
His mum added: "Michael has just finished his treatment after three years and this is a brilliant way to finish it. Pele was lovely and Les did a great job of getting us all to meet him."

Extracts of this article appeared in The Sunday Post





- Posted with love from Scotland by theShowbizLion.com

EDINBURGH'S CAITLYN VANBECK COMPARED TO KELLY CLARKSON ON X FACTOR

Scots X Factor contestant Caitlyn Vanbeck has been compared by Simon Cowell to US hit maker Kelly Clarkson.
In scenes just a few hours away in tonight's X Factor, Caitlyn, 18, from Tranent, outside Edinburgh will wow the X Factor judges with a rendition of Piece By Piece by Kelly Clarkson.
She even manages to make Nicole Scherzinger cry as she tells how she was bullied in her early life.
An emotional Caitlyn said: "Bullies didn't take to my singing."
Simon Cowell recalled at her Edinburgh
audition how he met a young American 15 years ago who later became one of the biggest selling artists on the planet. "That singer was Kelly Clarkson."
Grinning, he told her: "You are the best singer we've heard this season."
Caitlyn, who won Edinburgh's Got Talent several years ago, got past boot camp and reached the six chair challenge in last year's competition but wasn't given much airtime.
This year the hope is that she'll be getting a lot more and with all of Scotland behind her that looks like a distinct probability.


- Posted with love from Scotland by theShowbizLion.com

CHRISTOPHER BIGGINS FLIES TO SCOTLAND AFTER BIG BROTHER CONTROVERSY

CHRISTOPHER Biggins fled the heat of London and the aftermath of Celebrity Big Brother by escaping to Scotland on a secret short break with his friends.
The larger than life TV personality apologised publicly after being at the centre of a racism and biphobia row following his time in the Big Brother house.
And straight after exiting the house he packed his case to take a holiday in Glasgow and get away from it all.
Biggins, who was removed from the house last week, was keen to get back to normality as he checked into the plush Hotel Du Vin in the stylish West end on Tuesday.
The hotel has been frequented by everyone from Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake to George Clooney and Simon Cowell.


He visited the neighbouring Hyndland restaurant Epicures for some late lunch before popping into a newsagent across the road to buy some comfort snacks.
Looking bright and breezy in his pink hued jacket he went out drinking for five hours with his his friends.
Returning from his evening out shortly before ten pm he was in a jovial mood as he emerged from the taxi.
His friends laughed: "It's Santa Claus without the beard."
Asked how he felt after exiting the Big Brother house he added: "I've been made a scapegoat. I've been stitched up like a kipper."
Questioned if he was getting abuse on the street he added: "People on the whole have been nice to me thankfully and I love Scotland. I'm very much having a lovely time here with my friends."


It's thought that Biggins then visited Edinburgh to catch up with Lady Colin Campbell who had jumped to is defende following the CBB controversy.
One Fringe enthusiast tweeted: "Super to see lovely @onebiggins, who kindly let me Q-jump at airport yesterday, on way back to @Gildedballoon to @LadyColinCampb show".


- With love from Scotland and Theshowbizlion

SUSAN BOYLE FINISHES NEW ALBUM AND TALKS FESTIVALS

SUSAN Boyle claims she can relax with some visits to Scotland's festivals after finishing off her brand new album.
The singer was chilling with friends at McEwans Party At The Palace in Linlithgow when she bumped into The Showbiz Lion.
She said: "I've just completed an album which is due out in November and it's a bit of a surprise. I'm having a whale of a time here. I'm hoping to see the Proclaimers later on. I met them a few years ago and they are nice lads."
She added: "I'm also planning to go to the Fringe to catch a couple more shows there."
Susan normally releases an album to tie in with US Thanksgiving and the Christmas holidays and after taking a break last year from the scene fans can't wait to see what she has up her sleeve.



- From the showbizlion.com with love from Scotland

LUMINEERS GO DISNEY FOR PETE'S DRAGON

GRAMMY nominated band The Lumineers have helped breathe some extra fire into new Disney film Pete's Dragon.
The US folk group who released their song Scotland in 2013 and have had hits with songs like Ho Hey and Ophelia were chosen by Disney Records alongside artists including Lindsey Stirling and Andrew McMahon and Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy for the original soundtrack.
The album features The Lumineers singing Nobody Knows with extra tracks Something Wild and The Dragon Song by their peers.
The original score was composed by multi instrumentalist Daniel Hart (“Tumbledown,” “Comet”) who has worked on everything from The Polyphonic Spree to St. Vincent to his own projects. His upcoming scores also include upcoming FOX TV series The Exorcist.
The movie, directed by David Lowery, tells the story of an orphaned boy named Pete and his best friend Elliott, who just so happens to be a dragon. The film which comes out tomorrow stars Bryce Dallas Howard (Jurassic World), Wes Bentley (The Hunger Games), Karl Urban (Star Trek), Oona Laurence (Southpaw) and Oscar® winner Robert Redford (Captain America: The Winter Soldier).

The Pete’s Dragon track list in full:

1. “The Dragon Song” Performed by Bonnie 'Prince' Billy

2. “Something Wild” Performed by Lindsey Stirling featuring Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness

3. “Nobody Knows” Performed by The Lumineers

4. “Something On Your Mind” Performed by St. Vincent

5. “So Long, Marianne” Performed by Leonard Cohen

6. “Gina Anne” Performed by Bosque Brown

7. “An Adventure”

8. “Are You Gonna Eat Me?”

9. “Brown Bunny”

10. “Reverie”

11. “Tree Fort”

12. “North Star”

13. “Bedtime Compass”

14. “Timber”

15. “Breathe”

16. “Gavin Knows What He’s Doing”

17. “You Are Not Alone”

18. “Elliot Gets Lost”

19. “Takedown”

20. “It’ll Be Just Like It Used To Be”

21. “Follow That Dragon”

22. “Elliot at the Bridge”

23. “Abyss”

24. “Go North”

25. “Saying Goodbye”

26. “The Bravest Boy I’ve Ever Met”

27. “The Dragon Song Revisited” Performed by Bonnie 'Prince' Billy

28. "Candle On the Water" Performed by Okkervil River

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

BEN HAENOW PAYS TRIBUTE TO LATE SCOTS FUNDRAISER

SINGER Ben Haenow paid tribute to the late Donna Mortimer Ballantyne after he appeared at a fundraiser in her honour.
The former X Factor winner was a special guest at the Thistle Hotel and helped raise a whopping £164,000 to help the Kilbryde Hospice in memory of the late Bothwell born businesswoman, who died aged 39 after being diagnosed with malignant melanoma.
Donna raised funds to help the build of Kilbride hospice before her death, and her family, who own Lynnet Leisure, parent company of well-known Glasgow restaurants and clubs 29, Rogano and One Up, continue to work in her name.
Ben, who performed for VIPs on the night including new Rangers manager Mark Warburton and some of Celtic's finest, said of Donna: "This lady did such a lot of amazing things for charity and helped with charities in the West of Scotland and she helped to raise money to build Kilbryde hospice and continues to do lots even after she sadly passed away.


He added: "My granddad passed away not too long ago and was in a hospice. It does happen and the importance of this thing is that it does touch somebody at some point in their lives. At some time we know someone who has been affected from it and it's a great thing to help with it and raise money for any kind of charity.
"I've visited a few hospices, some purely for children which is quite a tough thing to see but to see the quality these hospices give people towards the end of their lives and the support they for to everyone around is a great thing and a really important network."
Ben is due to appear at Hamilton racecourse this Thursday and admitted he loves visiting Scotland
He said: "I've been in Glasgow many a times before and the crowds are cool. We were here for the X Factor tour for two days and we went out on one of the nights. But I can't give too much away about it. We're doing a lot of things just now and have a lot of gigs set up for the summer. I'm in talks about recording a new EP too."



- From Scotland with love from theshowbizlion.com

TEN MUSIC TALENTS COMPETE FOR THE TITLE AT SCOTTISH ALBUM OF THE YEAR

CHVRCHES, Emma Pollock, Lau, Young Fathers and FFS are just some of the artists who have made the top ten for Scottish Album of The Year (SAY)
The shortlist for Scotland's big music award was revealed last night at The BBC Quay Sessions during an exclusive live broadcast and the winner will be announced on Wednesday June 29 at a Paisley Town Hall ceremony to tie in with the Paisley bid for UK City of Culture 2021.
Previous SAY nominees Fatherson performed alongside last year's award winner Kathryn Joseph before this year’s shortlisted albums were announced live on air by host Vic Galloway. Amongst the shortlist this year are a number international collaborations: Ghanaian and South African performers and producers, LA based glam/art rock icons Sparks (who teamed up with Franz Ferdinand) and a project with 70s disco ensemble Sister Sledge.
Producer Graeme Clark also known as The Revenge, and ex Beta Band member Steve Mason all also made it onto the shortlist while FFS were the winner of the public vote.
The overall winner will pick up a £20,000 first prize while nine shortlisted titles will receive £1,000 each.
Run by the Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA), previous SAY Award winners are Kathryn Joseph (2015), Young Fathers (2014), RM Hubbert (2013) and Bill Wells & Aidan Moffat (2012).

The full SAY Award 2016 shortlist:

ANNA MEREDITH - VARMINTS

AUNTIE FLO - THEORY OF FLO

C. DUNCAN - ARCHITECT

EMMA POLLOCK - IN SEARCH OF HARPERFIELD

FFS - FFS

LAU - THE BELL THAT NEVER RANG

STEVE MASON - MEET THE HUMANS
THE REVENGE

YOUNG FATHERS - WHITE MEN ARE BLACK MEN TOO

CHVRCHES - EVERY OPEN EYE















- From Scotland with love from theshowbizlion.com

GLASGOW GETS LUCKY WITH PHARRELL GIG

US superstar Pharrell Williams is coming to Glasgow's SSE Hydro on Tuesday July 19.
We've been told by one of our wild contacts that the Get Lucky and Happy hitmaker Pharrell will be in the UK supporting Stevie Wonder at the British Summertime show at Hyde Park in London on July 10 as well as playing dates in Switzerland, Rotterdam and Copenhagen and will head north to Glasgow for the Hydro gig.
Pharrell who was one half of The Neptunes and also had a hit with Blurred Lines previously played Glasgow for Radio 1's Big Weekend.
The Showbiz Lion also managed to have a dance with him when he played in Edinburgh for the MTV Awards.
Tickets will go on public sale this Friday (June 3) at 9am.
- From Scotland with love from theshowbizlion.com

ITS DEFINITELY TAPS AFF AS BIFFY CLYRO READ WEATHER

BIFFY Clyro raised temperatures around the country when they took over BBC Weather.
The three lads from Ayrshire were special guest presenters on Radio 1 when they decided to invade the BBC Breakfast Weather studios downstairs and stand in front of the green screen.
Simon Neil and Twins Ben and James Johnston looked in their element as they predicted the climate for this weekends Big Weekend in Exeter.
Interrupting the forecast by Carol Kirkwood, Simon said: "Hold on just one second here. Did you just say Radio 1's Big Weekend? We are going to take Exeter Castle and we are going to raise that temperature. Twenty, that's a forecast but once we play what is it going to be James?"
James replied: "It's going to be screaming hot."
Simon then asked: "Carol do you think it is going to be hot when we play?
Carol replied: "Scorchio."
He then asked: "Ben what do you think it's going to be like? And Ben replied: "Really warm."
Simon laughed: "On a scale of one to ten we feel really happy. Weather is a state of mind."




- From Scotland with love from theshowbizlion.com

CLARE GROGAN BANNED FROM DANCING

ALTERED IMAGES and Gregory's Girl star Clare Grogan claims she has been asked not to dance by her daughter.
The singer laughed: "I was at my daughters school disco the other week and got asked to leave the dance floor for embarrassing mum dancing. I don't go clubbing much and rarely get the chance to do it. My poor daughter couldn't take it any more, genuinely."
Clare who rose to musical fame with hits like Happy Birthday sings jazz in her new film which is being promoted at Cannes.
The Scots talent, who is attending The Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice lunch in Glasgow's Hilton hotel tomorrow, features in Delirium with Timothy West and plays the jazz musician wife of a composer.
She said: "I play a singer in it although I don't sing very much on screen. I'm singing a song written for me. I really love the opportunity to unravel and it wasn't too much of a challenge. I'm quite good at unravelling. It's quite nice to do meaty full on drama. There's a full orchestra with an amazing choir and world renowned cello players."
Clare might have starred in the art house flick with Timothy West but says they never got a chance to act together. She said: "We don't have a scene together. If we had a chance to be in a film together it would have been great. He has such an amazing body of work and it's very hard not to have respect for that."
Clare, who lives in London, can't wait to come back to Scotland tomorrow.
She said: "I'm coming up for a lovely event for the Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice trust. Karen Dunbar said I have to go and she'll be there too. It's just a such an amazing service they provide. Who wouldn't want to support it. Anyone who has been through watching a loved one's illness will understand how important it is to have the right support."


- From Scotland with love from theshowbizlion.com

NO DOWNTON ABBEY VOICES AS STILL GAME RETURNS TO NETWORK

Beverley Lyons
STILL Game is finally returning to our screens after a nine year gap and although Isa will now be using Google and the show will now be networked Ford Kiernan and Greg Hemphill reckon the series will remain the same.
It's the news we've all been waiting for as BBC Scotland’s iconic comedy series returns to BBC One this year with a new six-parter starring all the original cast.
The new series will film from July 4 at BBC Scotland’s Dumbarton Studios in a purpose built set – the first time the comedy has filmed there – and will air on BBC One later in 2016.
Ford told the showbizlion: "Time has moved on but Jack and Victor's age hasn't. We're hoping to get back and that the audience are as comfy as they are when we left, like pulling on an old pair of slippers or going into a warm bath.
"Greg said: "It's the longest that we've probably ever spent on one series of Still Game. We started writing scripts in November and are filming in July so we wanted to get it exactly right. It's as if no time has passed from 2007 till now. "
"I don't know about it being funnier than ever really, but we are happy with the scripts. We worked harder on them than before. We were on a treadmill before and have had a lot of time to polish these scripts and get it right for newer audience and keep the chore audience happy."
Ford and Greg will reunite to play pensioners Jack Jarvis and Victor McDade for the sitcom which last aired on BBC One in 2007. The new series will also see the return of Still Game favourites Jane McCarry as Isa, Sanjeev Kohli as Navid, Gavin Mitchell as Bobby, Paul Riley as Winston and Mark Cox as Tam.
The series will now be networked but Ford and Greg claim they're not about to get posher or use subtitles so others can understand their Glasgow accents.
Ford said: "We're not going to start talking like Downton Abbey."
Greg added: "The show is what it is. We've been at great pains to look after our core audience. We've tried to expand it as well."
Ford joked: "There are lines like (in posh accent) 'I'm just nipping down to Navids for some totties' but we are trying to keep it down to a minimum. We couldn't possibly do it. They asked us to do the network for what is is not what it might become."
The two Scots talents can't wait to get their make up on to play their older counterparts but they admit they need less slap than when they first started.
Greg said: You can step back into the characters but we need less make up now."
Ford laughed: "When we started doing the characters at the Edinburgh festival we took two hours to get our make up on and when we did the Hydro it was forty minutes.
Greg added: "It's unique in that sense that we can park it and return.
We don't want to leave it for another nine years again. We love it and the rest of cast and Audience who watch it love it too. Hopefully they are back for good.
Ford joked: "It's always difficult to tell the mortgage people you've taken nine years off. I'm probably the only person whose used PPI."
The lads also claim the series will be updates slightly to fit in with modern times.
Greg said: "Time has moved on and the world turn and we will turn and there are contemporary issues like demolition and the changing face of the community. Isa has the internet and was Google before Google existed. There will be nods to those kind of things because we live in the present day.
Ford chipped in: "You could make a Scottish search engine and call it Isa."
He added: “We’re super happy to come back with the show - we had no idea how much it had been missed until we played the Hydro! Myself and Greg are really excited about getting the gang together again and we are putting our all in to make our fantastic audience feel like we’ve never been away.”
Greg Smiled: "We are thrilled to be given this opportunity, with the full support of the BBC Network, to don the bunnets once more! On behalf of all the cast, I'd like to thank Still Game fans for keeping the show alive after all these years. We'll save a seat for you in the Clansman."
The new series of Still Game will be a BBC in-house production and was commissioned by Shane Allen, Controller of Comedy Commissioning. Shane welcomes a Still Game reunion. He said: “A comedy phenomenon, Still Game’s return is much-anticipated as we, once again, meet up with Jack, Victor and their friends. The new series revisits one of the most iconic comedies of its time, a show which holds a very special place in the hearts of our audience. Ford and Greg are an exceptionally talented writing partnership and we’re looking forward to catching up with Jack and Victor after all these years.”
Ewan Angus, BBC Scotland’s Commissioning Editor, TV and Still Game executive producer added: “It’ll be fantastic to see Ford, Greg and the rest of the gang getting up to more comedy capers in Craiglang. Our audiences love Still Game. Whenever we show past episodes we are guaranteed big audiences and I know this new series will again delight Still Game’s legions of fans.”
The new six-part series will be executive produced by Ewan Angus, BBC Scotland and Steven Canny, BBC Comedy. It will be directed by long-time Still Game collaborator Michael Hines and produced by Jacqueline Sinclair.
Following a mammoth 21-night run of live shows at Glasgow’s SSE Hydro Arena in 2015, audiences have been waiting in anticipation for Still Game to make its TV return.
The original run of the sitcom, which stars Kiernan and Hemphill as evergreen Glaswegian pensioners Jack and Victor, aired for six series between 2002 and 2007, transferring from BBC Scotland to BBC Two. The new series of Still Game will air on BBC One network when it returns later this year.



- From Scotland with love from theshowbizlion.com