It all started because my balance was low, and reading the news page I noticed I could get 20bbs if I sent a song in for the karaoke. Only chezney had entered so far, but it gave me enough courage to do it myself. As I don’t own a camera, I just whipped out my phone, and decided to video the first song that came into my head. I set upon singing Michael Buble’s ‘Everything’, and as I didn’t know the song very well, I found the lyrics online, did a couple of practices, and uploaded the video (with a lot of help from chezney). Sure enough I got my bbs, and I was thrilled with the response I got from the CMs and my Roomies.

The weeks went by, when one day I entered the Silver Room, and my Paddy Power Bingo Roomies were congratulating me on being short listed for the final four. To say I was shocked was an understatement, but I was over moon. I looked at the terms and conditions of the contest, and figured I had a one in four chance of winning a PS2 and singstar - how cool would that be??

I always believed in not wasting a vote, so I cast my own vote for mikeys tears in heaven. and was chuffed when a few people said they had liked my song enough to vote for me. benzy mentioned that if I won I might get to Ireland, but I dismissed it as I thought only the Irish entry would go to the karaoke championships. And I was certain one of the other guys would win. Their entries were fantastic!

Then it got to the end of the week; I had to leave work early to go to the doctors. With an ear and throat infection I was feeling sorry for myself; I got home and switched my phone on. I had a voicemail from David Lyons (paddypowerbingo Marketing Manager) about my karaoke entry, and that he would email me. I was so excited when I got into my email. Could I have got my mitts on that PS2? I was stunned to read on…

Sure, I had won my PS2…But I also bagged a weekend to Ireland, with flights, accommodation, and a spot singing with all of Ireland’s county finalists on stage in Dublin!! With only a week to go, I just couldn’t take it in. will I get time of work? Who can I take? Am I brave enough to fly for the first time and sing a song to compete with Irelands finest? I wasn’t so sure I was up to the challenge. Any doubts I had were put to one side, as I had a call from David, and then Anne-Marie from Karaoke Ireland. Both assured me I would have a great time, and would be looked after. With two people who sounded so genuine and friendly, I decided I had to go for it, and represent my Roomies on the stage in Dublin.

The nerves set in, but with my friends and roomies, taylormaid and britianloves, I got through my first flight. Got whisked from the airport, to the beautiful Mespil hotel in Dublin… With a quick sight see of the city I was on the way. I woke the next day, and I was almost having a panic attack…how the hell could I get up on that stage and sing with the best county singers in Ireland? Before I knew it I had my songs on ipod and was singing in the middle of the canal park across from the hotel. Sure the people who were relaxing looked at me like I had two heads. But it gave me the boost I needed to go for it. Then it was off to rehearsals, and before I knew it the competition had arrived…

David Lyons and his lovely girlfriend Breda were there to meet me and my friends, and off we went to our reserved table at the front of the venue. I had my press photo taken, and learned I would be second on stage..at least I could get it out of the way and relax. Although I knew from rehearsals I would be singing in between a rapper and somebody singing Pavarotti…omg!!! Meanwhile some of my Irish Roomies had come to meet me and watch me perform. biddy, marie and mickey all came down to cheer me on!!

As they didn’t have Michael Buble’s ‘Everything’, I opted for George Michael’s ‘Father Figure’, and as I sang along looking at the screen, I realised that I may never do anything like this again in my life. So I turned to face the huge audience and I decided I just had to go for it. Whether or not I was any good, that’s not for me to say. But I gave it my all, and sang the best that I could, knowing that this was my only chance to sing it, and hoping nobody would think that I wasn’t good enough to be there. I felt like I did myself proud, and the response through the night from my table, and other people were positive. I had done as much as I could do and it went as well as I could have hoped for!!

The night flew by, as did the drinks, chatting to my Paddy Power Bingo Roomies, who were now my friends. Needless to say, with the competition so strong, I didn’t win. Anne-Marie came over to give me my own trophy for being paddypowerbingo’s online winner. I truly felt like a winner. It was the best weekend ever, and although I haven’t had much luck in the bingo games, I won a prize that was so much better than any jackpot win!

So; this is the perfect chance for me to thank everyone from the start of me posting my entry, to the Grand Finale and anyone who voted for me, or helped to make my weekend one I shall never forget. A special thanks to David and Anne-Marie who managed to get me there, look after me every step of the way, and have even contacted me since I got home to follow up on the weekend.
So next time you innocently enter something for a few bbs…just remember…who knows where it might lead!!

This entry was posted on 9:40am Thursday, June 5th, 2008 and is filed under Karaoke Videos. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site. By commenting on this site you agree to abide by our terms and conditions.

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