A WIRRAL singer has been named the winner of the Friday Live Songwriter Challenge 2024 with a song inspired by the Red Rocks Nature Reserve in Hoylake.
Mike Eastaugh won the competition which took place at West Kirby Arts Centre on Friday, July 12 with his song titled ‘On The Sand’.
During the six week entry period of the challenge, 43 songwriters submitted new songs inspired by 10 photographs on the foyer wall at the centre.
Winner Mike chose a beach bonfire photo to base his composition on.
He told the Globe: “The photo takes me back to nights at the beach down at Red Rocks with the fire burning and sharing beer and songs in the company of friends and family. It inspired both the lyrics and the melody.
“I am amazed about winning - the other songs and players were so very, very good and the atmosphere was fantastic . I was joined on stage by my daughter, niece, partner and friends, I’m really proud of them for the performance we gave. It's been such fun working on this song with them and I think we gave a good show.
“I just want to say a massive thank you to Glyn Jones , the judges and everyone at Friday Live & West Kirby Arts Centre for everything. The support they give local music and creative arts is fantastic and is something we should cherish.”
Judges Jim Pearson, Tony Woof, Isabelle Ryder and Caroline England listened to all of the entries and gave each a score based on composition, lyrics, melody and concept.
The points from the judges were added together and the highest ranked fifteen songwriters were awarded a place at the finals which is where Mike was presented his winners trophy by the judges.
The audience also got the chance at the finals to vote for their favourite song which was awarded to Vou Vou Wyld (Nathan Stephens) for his song ‘Don’t look up’.
He received a bottle of champagne presented by Glyn Jones.
Nathan said: “It was absolutely amazing to receive the Audience Favourite Award. Just being part of the event was humbling given the sheer talent and quality of all the songs performed and I’m truly thankful to all those that voted for me.”
You can listen to the songs of the winners and the other finalists on the Friday Live website - https://challenge.fridaylive.org.uk/.
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