Rowe Street kids sang with new X-Factor star
CHRISTMAS SINGLE RELEASED AFTER TG4 CONTEST
ABOVE: Members of the Rowe Street Junior Choir singing with X-Factor sensation Mary Byrne as they recorded a Christmas single in 2008.
SHE'S BEEN tipped as the new SuBo, but X Factor auditions sensation Mary Byrne from Dublin has shared the singing spotlight before with a team of young Wexford singers.
The 50-year-old Tesco worker played on the heartstrings of Simon Cowell during the televised Dublin auditions on Saturday, when she spoke of summoning up all her confidence to step out onto the X-Factor spotlight.
However, two years ago under the stage name Mary Lee, the Dublin born singer won a TG4 Christmas competition ' Nollaig No 1', and recorded a single for download with the young members of Rowe Street Junior Choir.
Choirmaster Eanna McKenna recalls: ' The choir entered the competition themselves but didn't get through. However, the producers liked our sound, so they asked us to do backing vocals.'
The result was a recording of 'Siúil Leat', an Irish version of the anthem ' You'll Never Walk Alone', which sadly only attained a disappointing 19 downloads and didn't make the Irish charts.
Nevertheless the youngsters from Rowe Street Junior Choir were excited to see their former collaborator perform in front of the X Factor judges, Simon Cowell, Louis Walsh and Cheryl Cole on Saturday night.
'I had seen an article about her in one of the tabloids on Saturday so text all the choir to tune in. They were delighted to see her do so well,' said Eanna.
'When we worked with her we found her to be a very nice and genuine person, and we'd hope she'll do very well in the competition. Maybe we'll get to back her again for the X Factor final. We're available if she needs us,' he said.
The Ballyfermot belter is being tipped for stardom after her wowing judges with her version of the Tom Jones song 'I Who Have Nothing'. Simon Cowell said of her voice : ' Seriously, seriously good, and more than that, I really like you'.
While Mary now prepares for X Factor boot camp, the young singers of Rowe Street Junior Choir are preparing to return to their regular gig at 10 a.m. Sunday Mass in Rowe Street Church.
- ANNE MARIE O'CONNOR
