The Netherlands

Heddy Lester

Name : Heddy Affolter Born : 18-6-1950 Deceased 29-1-2023 Nationality : Dutch National Finals : Nationaal Songfestival 1977 ESC Entries : De mallemolen Website : Facebook Biography Heddy Lester is a Dutch singer and actress. Lester’s professional career started with Gert Balke as the duo April Shower, who had a minor hit with “Railroad Song” in 1971. Her father ran a restaurant in Amsterdam, where she met singer Ramses Shaffy, with whom she started touring. Lester launched her solo career in 1974, and released the single ” Friend of mine”. Since her Eurovision appearance, Lester has worked steadily in a variety of both musical and dramatic stage roles. Heddy Lester passed away in January 2023. Entries Country : The Netherlands Year : 1977 Language : Dutch Artist : Heddy Lester Song : De mallemolen Lyrics : Wim Hogenkamp Composer(s) : Frank Affolter Conductor : Harry van Hoof Backings : Wanda StellaardLaetitia Dekker Carmen Affolter Results Points : 35 Position : 12 Running order : 3 https://youtu.be/B27TwLxbWms

Justine Pelmelay

Name : Anneke Wilma Pelmelay Born : 24-9-1958 Nationality : Dutch National Finals : Nationaal Songfestival 1989 ESC Entries : Blijf zoals je bent (1989) Website : Facebook/Justine Biography Justine Pelmelay was born as Anneke Pelmelay, the daughter of a mother from Java and a father from Ambon. The stage name Justine is her grandmother’s name. From the mid-80s Justine has been singing in various Dutch groups, such as the Pasadena Dream Band, Swinging Soul Machine and The Jody Singers. She also provided backing vocals for many artists on their single or albums. Her voice could be heard with Gerard Joling, Jerney Kaagman, G’race, but also with Catapult and Rosa King and the rock band of Bert Heerink. Pelmelay sang in several commercials. In 1988 she was in the backing for Gerard Joling’s performance at the Eurovision Song Contest. A year later she represented the Netherlands herself at the song festival, with the song “Blijf zoals je bent”. The expectations were high: the day before the Song Contest, she was in joint first place with the bookmakers. However, she only finished fifteenth. In the 1990s Pelmelay formed the duo Justine & Marlon together with the Dutch-Indonesian television chef Lonny Gerungan. They successfully released three CD albums with Indonesian songs and thus ensured a revival of the Evergreens from our colonial past. The CD albums were all listed in the Album charts. In the years that followed, Pelmelay also released a few singles, including “The Man I Love”, “Hold Me”, “Een vriend laat je niet in de steek” and “Perhaps Love”, a duet with John Denver. In 2005 Pelmelay made an attempt to go to the Eurovision Song Contest again for the Netherlands. For this she participated in one of the preliminary rounds of the National Song Contest, with the song “What you see is what you get”. That same year she took the place of Sandra Reemer with the Dutch Divas, but stopped in 2006 to continue solo again. In April 2006 Pelmelay recorded a new solo single titled “Nothing’s Gonna Shut Me Up”. In February and March 2007, Pelmelay was back in the spotlight in the Theater Show “The Soul of Motown”. In 2007 Pelmelay gave a gala on the occasion of the charity ‘Cystic Fybrosis’; she raised 100,000 euros with her campaign and has been ambassador of the NCFS (Dutch Cystic Fibrosis Foundation) since 2008. In 2010 Pelmelay came out with the single “Wereld Zonder Liefde” en “De regen voorbij”. In 2011 Pelmelay came out with a new single “Ik laat je nooit meer gaan”. With this single she can be seen and heard regularly on TV and radio. In 2012, she and her then partner wrote the song “De tijd stond stil” in response to the capsized cruise ship Costa Concordia. Justine was on board of the ship when it capsized. As a result of her life-threatening illness, she also wrote the song “Doe wat je moet doen”. Entries Country : The Netherlands Year : 1989 Language : Dutch Artist : Justine Pelmelay Song : Blijf zoals je bent Lyrics : Cees Bergman Geert-Jan Hessing Aart Mol Erwin van Prehn Elmer Veerhoff Composer(s) : Jan Kisjes Conductor : Harry van Hoof Backings : – Results Points : 45 Position : 15 Running order : 4 https://youtu.be/pyNMBMrfWsc?si=2qfSM8DA1Tg5iNMY

Maxine & Franklin Brown

Group Members : Gonny Buurmeester Franklin Kroonenberg Nationality : Dutch National Finals : Nationaal Songfestival 1996 ESC Entries : De eerste keer (1996) Website : Facebook/Franklin Facebook/Maxine Biography Maxine and Franklin Brown are a Dutch Duo. They sing both solo and together. Maxine, stage name of Gonny Buurmeester (Rotterdam, 14 October 1970), is a Dutch singer. At the age of fifteen she joined the school band and started taking singing lessons at the Jazz Academy in Antwerp. Her first single became a rendition of Roy Orbison’s own: “A love so beautiful”. Maxine took part in the Eurovision Song Contest, together with singer Franklin Brown, with whom she eventually took 7th place with the song “De eerste keer”. Solo Maxine, like Brown, started a solo career in 1996. She released a number of Dutch singles, including “Als je weet wat je wilt”, “Nooit meer alleen” and “Waanzin”. She also released two English-language singles, “African Dream” and “Don’t Stop”. They all reached the Dutch charts. In 2003 she and DJ Stuart had a big (summer) hit with the song “Free” (Let It Be). After the great success, there was also a second single, “Fuel To Fire”. Maxine is currently singing in the Edwin Evers Band. Franklin Brown was a police officer when he started his career as a singer. He was still a police officer when he represented the Netherlands in the Eurovision Song Contest. After several female colleagues accused him of sexual harassment at work, he was fired. In 1998, he was sentenced to two months’ probation on appeal. According to Brown, the intimacies were part of the work culture. A female colleague who had sent him sexually explicit e-mails was later fired, partly because she allegedly made a false statement. In 2005, Brown began performing with his own show orchestra. The Las Vegas Show orchestra in a ten-piece orchestra conducted by Pieter van den Dolder and is regularly supplemented with strings. Brown also played major roles in various shows by Frank Wentink in Studio 21 in Hilversum and he has set up his own event and booking agency, F.B. eye Productions. With singer Mark Dakriet he founded the group B.I.G. where he brought in singer Danny Sopacua. Together with Maxine, he was also a member of the Eurovision song contest group The EuroStars. The ex-song contest participants Marlayne, Esther Hart and Mandy Huydts are also part of this group. In 2007 Franklin Brown and Maxine recorded a new single and CD for the first time in eleven years. The single was composed by John Ewbank and lyrics written by Franklin Brown. The CD is titled “Steeds weer”. In 2011, Franklin Brown and pianist Fred van Straten wrote the song “Me again” for the feature film De Heineken Kidnapping. Franklin sang this song in this film. In 2012, the duo Franklin & Maxine’s single, entitled “Balsem voor het hart” was released. 2016 was the anniversary year for the Eurovision duo. On the occasion of the 20th anniversary, the hit “De eerste keer” was re-recorded in collaboration with Edwin Evers, who wrote and sang a rap for this performance under the name BICKEL. In 2014, Brown became the lead singer of the jazz band Tiny Little Bigband. In 2020 Brown participated in a Eurovision edition of the Dutch show series Beste Zangers. Entries Country : The Netherlands Year : 1996 Language : Dutch Artist : Maxine & Franklin Brown Song : De eerste keer Lyrics : Piet Souer Composer(s) : Piet Souer, Peter van Asten Conductor Dick Bakker Backings : Dian Senders Dwight Muskita Ingrid Simons Jody Pijper Results Audiofinal Points : 63 Position : 9 Running order : 21 Results Points : 78 Position : 7 Running order : 15 https://youtu.be/W6OaiA5OUo4

Esther Hart

Name : Esther Katinka Hartkamp Born : 3-6-1970 Nationality : Dutch National Finals : Nationaal Songfestival 2003 ESC Entries : One more night Website : Facebook/Esther Biography When she was about 10 years old she sang in the children’s choir “De Lenteklokjes” in Alphen aan den Rijn. She was fourteen when she first started singing with the band “Release”. At the age of 18 Hart was admitted to the conservatory in Rotterdam. At the conservatory she followed a “light music” vocal training. She graduated cum laude in 1994 as a teaching and performing musician. During that time, Hart regularly performed in all sorts of venues and it was also during this time that she self-released a CD, “Love this Life” of “Fruit at the Bottom”. Hart was also part of “D-Wys and the Voices of Soul” performing at the North Sea Jazz Festival and on Sesjun TV. In addition, Hart has done a lot of studio work, sang jingles and sang in choirs for various Disney films. She did about 120 live performances a year. Singing has always been very important in Hart’s life. She teaches at various music schools and now at the Fontys Rock Academy in Tilburg. She teaches singing there that are mainly focused on singing technique. Esther Hart had an English hit success with ‘Ain’t no Lies’, which ended up at number eight on the dance charts. Then participation in the National Song Contest came on her path. She won with “One more night”, which was the Dutch entry for the Eurovision Song Contest in 2003 and with which she came 13th and won the Artistic Award that was introduced a year earlier. Originally she was also going to participate in the British final for the festival, but when she made it to the Dutch final, she withdrew. Her debut album was called “Straight from the Hart”. In January 2008, she stayed in jail for one night to gain publicity and money for charity. During that time she gave a concert with the Dutch broadcaster NCRV and the Exodus Foundation, which provides assistance for former prisoners to adapt to normal life. In addition, a poetry contest was held by the prisoners with the theme of “dare to believe in change”, with the winning poem to be read by Hart. Since 2017, she is involved in the organization of J’aime la Vlie, a Eurovision-related festival at the Dutch island of Vlieland. She currently is a singing teacher at the ArtEZ Pop Academy in Enschede. Entries Country : The Netherlands Year : 2003 Language : English Artist : Esther Hart Song : One more night Lyrics : Tjeerd van Zanen Alan Michael Composer(s) : Tjeerd van Zanen Alan Michael Backings : Linda Bloemhard Roger Happel Vera van der Poel Dedre Twiss Results Points : 45 Position : 13 Running order : 14 https://youtu.be/D6Z_UJrMqVY

Sieneke

About Quick Facts NameSieneke Clasina Gerdina Peeters Born01 April 1992 Nationality🇳🇱 Dutch National SelectionNationaal Songfestival 2010 In Eurovision2010 Oslo SongIk ben verliefd (sha-la-lie) (2010) Biography Sieneke Clasina Gerdina Peeters (Nijmegen, April 1, 1992) is a Dutch singer. She grew up in a close family with her mother, father, and younger brother. As a child, she loved dancing and singing. She sang at parties all over the country. At one of her shows in Dordrecht, famous Dutch singer Marianne Weber discovered her. In 2007, Sieneke released a CD with six covers of songs from the 1980s. She made the CD “It’s My Dream” herself. She studied hairdressing at ROC Nijmegen. In 2010, she joined the National Song Festival. All participants sang a version of the song “Ik ben verliefd (sha-la-lie)” by Pierre Kartner. Sieneke won after Kartner chose her because the jury and audience votes were tied. He said, “then let’s go with Sieneke,” making her the Dutch representative at the Eurovision Song Contest 2010 in Oslo. She didn’t reach the final, placing 14th out of 17 in the semi-final. In early 2011, Sieneke joined the SBS6 show Sterren Dansen op het IJs and finished fourth. She lost in the quarter-finals to singer Monique Smit. In August, Sieneke and Marianne Weber ended their business partnership. In 2015, Sieneke was on the RTL 5 show Shopping Queens VIPS and finished in fourth place. In 2021, Sieneke was on the 21st season of the RTL 4 show Expeditie Robinson. She was the fourth to leave and finished 23rd. She was also a secret singer on the TV show Secret Duets that year. In December 2022 she released the song “Vaya Con Dios”, a duet with the famous Dutch singer Frans Bauer. The song became a hit in The Netherlands. It was followed by a tour of the two together, another song, “Een nacht met jou” and a TV Show. It resulted in the album “Frans & Sieneke”. The album reached the #2 spot in the album charts. Sieneke went on to perform solo with a new single, “De nacht is nog zo lang”. However, in October 2023 Frans and Sieneke released a video together again, “Die lach op jouw gezicht”. Entries Ik ben verliefd (Sha-la-lie) Country🇳🇱 The Netherlands Year2010 LanguageDutch LyricsPierre Kartner MusicPierre Kartner BackingsKelly Ter HorstYvette KeijzersWiesje WesterlakenPeter van der Poort (mime)Floor van der Poort (mime) Results Semi Points: 29Position: 14Running order: 9 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/HdA2SsM3BLI?si=IA8puW7ABYvcKXsV

The Common Linnets

© Albin Olsson About Quick Facts MembersIlse DelangeWaylon Active2013-2017 Nationality Dutch National SelectionInternal selection 2014 In Eurovision2014 Copenhagen SongCalm After The Storm (2014) Biography The Common Linnets, a band hailing from the Netherlands, was established in 2013, initially featuring Ilse DeLange and Waylon. DeLange elucidated that the group was formed as a dynamic platform for Dutch musicians to experiment and create country, Americana, and bluegrass music. The band saw a change in lineup when Waylon departed in May 2014 and was replaced by American country artist Jake Etheridge. Their debut album, featuring the song “Calm After the Storm”, secured them a second-place finish in the Eurovision Song Contest 2014 – the best performance by the Netherlands since their victory in 1975. The band’s name draws inspiration from the regional nickname ‘heikneuters,’ attributed to individuals from the eastern part of the Netherlands, DeLange and Waylon’s birthplace. This term refers to the songbird ‘kneu’ or common linnet. Credit for this innovative name goes to Dutch designer Rens Dekker, who also designed their album and single artworks. The initial band members were individual country artists, Ilse DeLange and Waylon, with DeLange acknowledged as the founder and leading member. DeLange envisaged the band as a project to facilitate Dutch artists in their musical explorations. Since 2014, the band has been composed of Ilse DeLange, JB Meijers, Jake Etheridge, and Matthew Crosby, who along with Rob Crosby, penned the hit “Calm After The Storm”. Born on May 13, 1977, in Almelo, Netherlands, Ilse DeLange’s musical journey started at the tender age of 8. Her talents were showcased in regional and national talent shows in Hilversum, followed by a musical partnership with guitarist Joop Liefland. Waylon, born on April 20, 1980, in Apeldoorn, Netherlands, adopted his stage name in honor of his idol, Waylon Jennings. After their Eurovision success, the band embarked on a promotional tour. The noticeable absence of Waylon sparked speculations of him leaving the band. On his official Facebook page, Waylon revealed that the unexpected success of the band led him to focus on his album releasing in September 2014. JB Meijers, born on June 10, 1972, in Delft, Netherlands, joined the band after his stint with Dutch indie bands Charmin’ Children, Shine, and Supersub. Besides playing with De Dijk, Eboman, and Acda & De Munnik, he also worked as a producer. Jake Etheridge, born on April 25, 1988, in Columbia, South Carolina, joined the band post-Waylon’s departure. Before joining, he had gained recognition for his online song uploads. Matthew Crosby, born on May 21, 1981, in Columbia, South Carolina, was an accomplished actor in New York City and had previously performed with the band “The Easy Tells”. The band represented the Netherlands in the Eurovision Song Contest 2014 in Copenhagen, with the song “Calm After the Storm”. The Common Linnets won the 2014 Buma Cultuur Pop Award and the 2015 Echo Awards for Best International Newcomer Act. Their second studio album ‘II’ was released in 2015. The album became a Gold disc. In november 2015, the band toured throughout Germany and Austria. They received an award for best an award at Radio 538 for best live performance. In 2016 the band played at Eurosonic Noorderslag. They went to Sweden to perform in Douwe Bob‘s pub in Stockholm, during the Eurovision week. In June, they did a UK tour, in November they went back to Germany. Also in 2017, the band kept on performing. After that, Ilse Delange, JB Meijers and Matthew Crosby had solo projects. In 2019, Ilse Delange was a coach at the Eurovision Song Contest for Duncan Laurence, who won the contest. Entries Calm After The Storm Country🇳🇱 The Netherlands Year2014 LanguageEnglish LyricsIlse DelangeJB MeijersRob CrosbyMatthew CrosbyJake Etheridge MusicIlse DelangeJB MeijersRob CrosbyMatthew CrosbyJake Etheridge BackingsBart VergoossenJB MeijersMartijn Van Agt Results Semi Points: 150Position: 1Running order: 14 Results Finals Points: 238Position: 2Running order: 24 https://youtu.be/4ggBPAm5XLA

Joan Franka

About Quick Facts NameJoany Franka Johanna Ayten Hazebroek Born02 April 1990 Nationality🇳🇱 Dutch National SelectionInternal selection 2012 In Eurovision2012 Baku SongYou And Me (2012) Biography Joan Franka is a Dutch singer and songwriter. In 2010, she was scouted to participate in The Voice of Holland. She was eliminated in the 4th live show. During this program, she was approached by Holger Schwedt to make an album. During the first season of The Voice of Holland, Franka sang several songs, from which “Foolish Games” and “Promise Me” reached the Dutch Single Top 100. Joan Franka was one of the six participants selected for the National Song Festival 2012. With the song ‘You and Me’,), she won the contest. This allowed her to represent the Netherlands at the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 in Baku. To support the lyrics of ‘You and Me’, she performed wearing a Native American headdress. Immediately after her victory at the National Song Festival in 2012, she sold the sales rights of the song ‘You and Me’ to John de Mol’s record company, 8ball Music. The winning song ‘You and Me’ debuted at number 1 in the Dutch Single Top 100 and number 3 in the 3FM Mega Top 50 the week after the National Song Festival. Franka made headlines as controversy arose around her wearing the Native American headdress during her performance at the national song festival. The controversy stemmed from a statement by a Native American support group called Real Indian Nation, who claimed that Native Americans might protest if she wore the headdress again. During the Eurovision on May 24, she received 31 points from the jury and 51 points from the public, achieving a fifteenth place, which was not enough to advance to the top ten for the final. After the contest, she had a conflict with her record company and had to pay off her contract for two years, leading to financial difficulties. In 2013, she worked as a street musician in Paris for a while. In mid-2014, she started studying at the Herman Brood Academy. In October 2014, her new song titled ‘Nigel’ was released. From 2015, she presented herself as Luba the Baroness and participated in Popronde 2016. In 2017, she completed her education at the Herman Brood Academy. In 2019, she released two new singles, “The end” and “Bad Boy”.In March 2023, Joan teamed up with Valentino at the Flakkaboem Sessions, where she performed two new songs. One month later, she was part of the show Better Than Ever, where she told her side of the Eurovision story. She also released her album “Luba The Baroness”, an album she recorded already in 2017. Entries You And Me Country🇳🇱 The Netherlands Year2012 LanguageEnglish LyricsJoan Franka MusicJoan FrankaJessica Hoogenboom BackingsErica GroeneveldRens DambergArjen RommensMarc UdoBrendo Festen Results Semi Points: 35Position: 15Running order: 3 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/JCc0Iiu3DiU?si=u2LhwQdA5byKun5l

3JS

About Quick Facts MembersJan DullesJaap KwakmanJan de Witte Founded2002 Nationality🇳🇱 Dutch National SelectionNationaal Songfestival 2011 In Eurovision2011 Düsseldorf SongNever Alone (2011) Biography Formed in 2002 in Volendam, Netherlands, 3JS is a Dutch band known for its melodious fusion of pop and rock with Dutch lyrics. The band originally consisted of Jan Dulles (vocals), Jaap Kwakman (guitar), and Jaap de Witte (guitar). The name ‘3JS’ was derived from the first initials of the three founding members. The journey of 3JS began in the bustling music scene of Volendam, a town with a rich musical heritage. Initially, they gained recognition for their live performances in local venues, where their combination of poetic lyrics and melodious music won them a dedicated following. Their music, deeply rooted in Dutch culture and language, resonated with a wide audience, contributing to their growing popularity. In 2007, the band signed a record deal with Warner Music Benelux, marking the beginning of their professional recording career. Their debut album, “Watermensen,” was released in the same year and received critical acclaim. The album’s honest and heartfelt lyrics, combined with the band’s distinct sound, established 3JS as a significant act in the Dutch music industry. Following their successful debut, 3JS continued to release a series of albums that cemented their status in the Dutch music scene. Albums like “Kamers van m’n Hart” (2008) and “Dromers en Dwazen” (2010) showcased the band’s versatility and ability to evolve their sound while staying true to their roots. A significant milestone in their career was representing the Netherlands in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2011 with the song “Je Vecht Nooit Alleen.” Although they did not win, their participation brought them international exposure and showcased their talent on a larger stage. The band underwent a significant change in 2013 when Jaap de Witte had to step down due to health issues. He was replaced by his son, Jan de Witte, marking a new chapter in the band’s history. This transition was seamless, and the band continued to produce music and perform with the same passion and energy. 3JS experimented with an acoustic sound for their album “7.” Preparations included a creative trip to Los Angeles, resulting in several new songs and significant musical inspiration. Most of the album was recorded in Volendam at Studio Arnold Mühren, featuring a live setting with producer Attie Bauw. Notable singles from “7” include “Grenzeloos,” “Samen door,” and “Pas dan laat ik je gaan.” The 2018 album “NU” marked a shift in sound and production, realized in collaboration with producer Oscar Holleman. The band embraced external influences, evidenced by the collaboration with Diggy Dex on the opening track “Misschien niet nu.” “NU” also featured the poignant “De betere jaren,” reflecting on Jan Dulles’ father’s battle with Alzheimer’s. This album was the last to feature Jan de Witte before his departure for a solo project. “De Aard Van Het Beest,” released in 2020, introduced the influence of new band member Robin Küller. The album, presenting an Americana sound, was uniquely launched via a live stream due to the pandemic. It included hits like “Dansen tot het over is” and “Het kind in mij,” and a collaboration on “De brug” with co-founder Jaap de Witte. 2021 saw a deluxe edition of the album, featuring new compositions like “Vreemde leegte,” a tribute to Dulles’ late daughter Donna-Maria. In 2023, 3JS fulfilled a dream with “Mooie Tijden,” recording in an American studio with local musicians and producer Bob Clearmountain. The album, enriched with Americana influences, featured session musicians like Sean Hurley and Victor Indrizzo, encapsulating the band’s evolving musical journey. Entries Never Alone Country🇳🇱 The Netherlands Year2011 LanguageEnglish LyricsJaap KwakmanJan DullesJaap de Witte MusicJaap KwakmanJan DullesJaap de Witte BackingsBrian ZalmijnLesley van der AaMichèle van der Aa Results Semi Points: 13Position: 19Running order: 3 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/m5uiD4BIcNk?si=lm2sTxfX1rDmMoZJ

Anouk

About Quick Facts NameAnouk Teeuwe Born08 April 1975 Nationality🇳🇱 Dutch National SelectionInternal selection 2013 In Eurovision2013 Malmö SongBirds (2013) Biography Born in The Hague, Netherlands, on 8 April 1975, Anouk Teeuwe, known popularly as Anouk, is a testament to the indomitable spirit of passion and perseverance. Her journey into the world of music wasn’t a bed of roses. As a teenager, grappling with personal issues, Anouk dabbled in drugs and even left her family at a tender age of 14. However, her life took a transformative turn when she rediscovered her roots in music, inspired by her mother, a blues singer. From a shy teenager singing her heart out at weddings and local gatherings with the band Shotgun Wedding, Anouk transitioned to a budding artist at the Rotterdam Conservatory in 1994. Though she left the conservatory after just two years, her passion for music remained undeterred. The period marked a significant turn in her career when her husband, Edwin Jansen, introduced her to Barry Hay, the lead vocalist of the iconic Dutch rock band, Golden Earring. Sensing her raw talent, Hay collaborated with his fellow band member, George Kooymans, to pen “Mood Indigo” for Anouk. The late 1990s was an era of exploration for Anouk. Partnering with Bart van Veen as her co-writer, they crafted several songs. But it was her single, “Nobody’s Wife,” released in September 1997, that acted as a catapult, propelling her to the zenith of the Dutch music charts and gaining recognition in Norway and Sweden. “Together Alone,” her debut album, echoed her rise to prominence. The subsequent years were an amalgamation of achievements and challenges. In 1998, she bagged multiple awards, including two from the revered Dutch music channel TMF and the prestigious Edison Award. With the dawn of the new millennium, her second album “Urban Solitude” arrived, featuring the hit “R U Kiddin’ Me”. An attempt to explore opportunities in the US music industry didn’t materialize as planned, but this setback was merely a precursor to her returning with a bang with the song “Don’t” in 2001. Anouk’s discography in the early 2000s was diverse, with “Lost Tracks” in 2001, showcasing acoustic renditions and collaborations, and the hard rock-infused “Graduated Fool” in 2002. Her evolution as an artist was further manifested in “Hotel New York” (2004), marked by singles such as “Girl” and “Lost”. The ensuing years saw Anouk experimenting with different genres and collaborations. “Who’s Your Momma” (2007) was a significant release, with the single “Good God” making its way into the video game Guitar Hero World Tour. “For Bitter or Worse” followed in 2009, accompanied by chart-topping songs. The 2010s carved a niche for Anouk in the international music arena. Her participation in the Eurovision Song Contest 2013 with the song “Birds” ended the Netherlands’ dry spell in the competition, garnering 9th place and widespread acclaim. She also penned the 2015 Dutch Eurovision entry “Walk along” for Trijntje Oosterhuis. Anouk’s tenure as a coach on “The Voice of Holland” was another feather in her cap, spanning several seasons, though it ended in 2022 amidst controversy surrounding the show. Her musical journey in the late 2010s and 2020s was marked by diversity. With two album releases in 2016, the introduction of her first Dutch-language album in 2018 titled “Wen d’r maar aan”, and the intimately crafted mini-album “Trails of Fails” in 2022, Anouk solidified her legacy as a versatile artist unafraid of reinvention. In June 2022, Anouk married Dominique Schemmekes during a concert at the Malieveld in The Hague. In January 2023 she recorded a song “Met wie kan jij het aan” together with Emma Heesters. Entries Birds Country🇳🇱 The Netherlands Year2013 LanguageEnglish LyricsAnouk Teeuwe MusicAnouk TeeuweMartin GjerstadTore Johanson BackingsRicardo BurgrustShirma RouseYerry Rellum Results Semi Points: 75Position: 6Running order: 8 Results Finals Points: 114Position: 9Running order: 13 https://youtu.be/n5iazXvMw5o

Waylon

© EBU/Andres Putting About Quick Facts NameWillem Bijkerk Born20 April 1980 Nationality???????? Dutch National SelectionInternal selection 2018Internal selection 2014Nationaal Songfestival 2005 In Eurovision2018 Lisbon2014 Copenhagen SongOutlaw in ’em (2018)Calm after the storm (The Common Linnets, 2014) Biography Waylon is a Dutch singer, songwriter and musicion. He was born in Apeldoorn, the Netherlands. He chose his stage name as he was a fan of Waylon Jennings. In 1995 he started singing in the tv show Telekids. He signed a record contract in 1997 and was allowed to record an album in Nashville. However, it was never released. In 2001 he lived and worked in the United States for a year . He appeared in the show of his idol Waylon Jennings with whom he also worked. Jennings passed away and Bijkerk returned to the Netherlands. After his return, he sang in the bands Santa Rosa and Millstreet. Waylon joined Rachel Kramer in 2005 as the duo ‘Rachel & Waylon’ in Het Nationaal Songfestival, the Dutch national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest. In 2008 he reached the final of Holland’s Got Talent. Despite the fact he did not win, this marked his breakthrough. His first record, “Wicked way”, became a huge hit in the Netherlands. It was followed by a debut album, “Wicked ways”, in 2009. In april 2010, he won a 3FM Award as ‘best newcomer’ and a TMF Award as ‘new talent’. In october 2011, his second album “After all” followed and he won another 3FM Award, now for ‘best singer’.Together with Ilse Delange, Waylon formed The Common Linnets. They represented the Netherlands in the Eurovision Song Contest with the song “Calm after the storm” and became 2nd. After Eurovision, the only performance of the two together was at the Tuckerville concert in Enschede, organized by The Common Linnets. After this concert, Waylon left the band.Two solo albums followed: “Heaven after midnight” (2014) and “Seeds” (2016). Meanwhile, Waylon was a coach in The Voice of Holland. In 2018, Waylon took part in the Eurovision Song Contest again, now as a solo singer with the song “Outlaw in ’em’. He reached the final again. The song was also released on his new album, “World can wait”. A tour with the subject ‘outlaws in country music’ followed: My heroes have always been cowboys. In december 2019, Waylon released a 6th album, “Human”. During the first lockdown of COVID19, he sang a version of Willeke Alberti’s song “Samen zijn”, together with the original singer and Wibi Soerjadi.In 2022, Waylon started singing in Dutch. His duet with former Eurovision-host Jan Smit (as Willem & Jan), “Tussen jou en mij” was released on single. Entries Outlaw In ‘Em Country???????? The Netherlands Year2018 LanguageEnglish LyricsJim BeaversWaylonIlya Toshinskiy MusicJim BeaversWaylonIlya Toshinskiy BackingsJustin PieplenboschPierre AngandaRoger MakadiPieter LikiyoBrandon Likiyo Results Semi Points: 174Position: 7Running order: 8 Results Finals Points: 121Position: 18Running order: 23 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7jHz5asMs8 Calm After Storm (The Common Linnets) Country???????? Country Year2014 LanguageEnglish LyricsIlse De LangeJB MeijersRob CrosbyMatthew CrosbyJake Etheridge MusicIlse De LangeJB MeijersRob CrosbyMatthew CrosbyJake Etheridge BackingsJB MeijersBart VergoossenMartijn Van Agt Results Semi Points: 150Position: 1Running order: 14 Results Finals Points: 238Position: 2Running order: 24 https://youtu.be/4ggBPAm5XLA