DONNA MARIE Sludds has become an overnight pop sensation – a mere twelve years after she first stepped on stage with the family band. The livewire from Ballymurn has been chosen to compete in R.T.E.'s All-Ireland Talent show and is due on television next weekend.

The daughter of Ollie and Julie Sludds she says she has been a musician as long as she can remember. At the age of eleven, she picked up a bass guitar and performed in public with her parents' group. These days she is better known as the lead vocalist in Lady Dee and Breeze 52.

'Donna Marie is causing a bit of a stir,' said delighted mother Julie Sludds last week as moves gathered pace in a campaign to support Donna in the TV competition. With telephone votes from viewers deciding the issue, she needs to have plenty of support among members of the public. So family and friends have been blitzing the county with posters reminding the people of Wexford that she will be looking for their backing on Sunday.

'We are out canvassing, looking for votes and for sponsors,' declared Julie, who revealed that billboards may be hired as the campaign gathers momentum. 'We are over the moon about this. We are all giving a hand,' said the mother of the 23-year-old country rocker. As well as all the ballyhoo in Wexford, there is also a Kildare branch of the Donna Marie support campaign, thanks to relatives in that part of the world.

'Hectic isn't the word!' exclaimed Donna, trying to describe how her life has changed since she came through the regional auditions at Kilkenny Castle. One of nine children in the Sludds family, she made an impact at the auditions ahead of scores of other hopefuls with her rendition of the vintage Etta James hit 'At Last'.

'This is major exposure,' commented the singer who makes no secret of her ambitions. 'The stage of The Point is where I want to be.' She goes into rehearsal for the television show at Ardmore Studios in Bray today (Wednesday) and has been sworn to secrecy about the song she will be singing live on Sunday evening in front of the cameras.

'I am terrified but it's healthy,' said Donna cheerfully before departing for Bray. She already has a track record, not only as a performer with the Breeze 52, but also as a songwriter. She composed 'Little Angel' in response to the disappearance of Madeleine McCann and the same song has also helped to raised funds for the family of Amy Fitzpatrick who vanished while living in Spain last year.

The All-Ireland talent show is hosted by Gráinne Seoige and offers a ¤50,000 prize to the winner.

- David MEDCALF