The Guestwriters
Guestwriters 2008
Naast de 4 internationale en 4 nationale songschrijver/artiesten komen nog een aantal gasten het team versterken. De bedoeling is dat ze hun bijdrage lenen aan de nieuwe songs of dat het collectief van schrijvers songs op maat maken voor de gasten. Volgende gastschrijvers zegden hun medewerking toe.
Will Tura ( » website )
Flanders monument. Composer of many, many songs which will last in the memories of different generations in Flanders. But Will keeps looking for new adventures. He's really looking forward to writing songs with the young upcoming artists and international 'big' names.
Stan Van Samang ( » website )
We can't imagine a better ambassador for Song City but Stan. Not only did he score a superb hit with one of the songs written at Song City 2007 ('Poison'), another 3 (sc) songs found a place on his platina selling debut album. What we appreciate so much is that he told everbody (we actualy think he went by all houses in Belgium) how fantastic the Song City experience was for him. Thanks, Stan... we're looking forwar to welcome you again as a guest.
Eric Melaerts ( » website )
An music icon in Belgium. Though he had his doubts about coming to Song City (something you might expect of a sceptical guy s.a. Eric) he was instantly contaminated by the Song City virus. He also had many nice, positive and supporting words for Song City (as seen in a TV-special regarding Stan Van Samang) and is looking forward to rejoin the group for the 2008 sessions.
Gene Thomas ( » website )
We always enjoy to welcome nice artists at Song City. Gene is a nice guy. He's also looking for some songs of international class, so Song City will be the place for him to be. He already had some remarkable hits in Belgium and is now looking to enlarge his musical world...
Guillaume De Vos ( » website )
Became second in the TV program (contest) called 'Steracteur, Sterartiest' (Star Actor, Star Artist). A great start for this soap-actor (known from 'Familie' on VTM television) regarding a promising musical career. In his search for new songs, Song City might be a great opportunity.
Barbara Dex ( » website )
Was a guest in last year's edition too. Two songs were written for this great vocalist (who participated in Eurosong some years ago). They will appear on her new album, which will be released in september of this year. Always looking for more and better songs, Barbara thought she couldn't miss the second Song City opportunity.
Yasmine ( » website )
Most people know her as the host (presentation) of National television VRT (could be compared to BBC), but she's also a fantastic singer who likes to write her own songs and lyrics. The unique melting pot of songwriting talent at Song City has seduced her to come and participate.
Zender ( » website )
Young talent... that's also what we are looking for at Song City. Zender was one of the highlights at Humo's Rock Rally 2008. You can listen to his tracks on the debut 'Acid Avenue'.
Ingrid Mank ( » website )
Always in the shades of the artists. Not known by the audience, but she's a great songwriter. She wrote songs for Natalia, Clouseau and Sarah. Had a number 1 hit with 'You are the Reason' by Koen Wauters & Sarah, here in Belgium. She already wrote tracks for Udo and Born Crain, two of the eight selected prisoners of Song City 2008.
Vincent Pierins ( » website )
Flanders' best known bassplayer was also one of the driving songwriting forces during Song City 2007. He collaborated in the writing of Stan Van Samang's songs 'Just a Girl' and 'Welcome Home' and did great at the live-concert, both as a performer and band leader. Also see the bottom of this page for more information...
Guestwriters 2007
Barbara Dex ( » website )
Born 1974 on January,22. Daughter of a known singingfather. Performed for the first time in 1991. Represented Belgium at Eurosongwith ‘Iemand zoals jij' (someone like you). Barbara has succesfuly recordedsongmaterial in both ‘Flemish' (Dutch) and English. Her second album inEnglish, ‘Tender Touch' astonished friend and foe. Production of this album wasdone by Jamie Lane (Ex drummer of 10 cc and Tina Turner). She recorded thetitlesong for the tv-series popular ‘Windkracht 10'. Her diversity in singingis enormous... a duet with Johnny Logan, her gospel radiohit ‘Jesus on theMainline' and so on...
EricMelaerts ( » website )
Eric Melaerts is afamous Flemish guitarplayer, producer and mediafigure. After one year atlawschool he stoped and fully concentrated on music. He was one of the membersof the LSP-band (a coverband). He also played with Soulsister. He was involvedas a musician in many musical tv-programs s.a. ‘Vox Pop', ‘Tilt', ‘La La LaLive', ‘Idol', ‘StarAcademy' and ‘X-Factor'. Since 2000 he plays with Clouseauduring their anual super-concerts at the Antwerp Sportpalais. Melaerts is oftenseen in panels for tv programs s.a. ‘De Drie Wijzen' and ‘De Tabel vanMendeljev'. He's is one of Belgium's top guitar players!!!
Jerry 'Philadephia' Ricks
Jerry Ricks was bornin Philadelphia on May, 22 in the year 1940. He started playing guitar at acoffeehouse where he used to wash dishes. He absorbed the Delta Blues from the30ies and added some personal ‘touch' to it. He learned and played with some ofthe greats of the blues such as Sonny Terry, Brownie McGhee and Lightnin'Hopkins and was known troughout the world as a specialist in accousticbluesmusic. He often played in Europe in the 70ies and 80ies and recordedalbums in Germany, Hongary and many other European countries. In the newmillenium he also performed a lot in Europe.
Jerry Ricks came as aguestwriter to Song City 2007 for one day. Together with his ‘Belgian pal',Chris Debrakeleer, he wrote and recorded a couple of songs.
In august 2007, someone month after Song City 2007, Jerry had to go to a hospital in Croatia. Some sources mention he had a stroke, others the big ‘C'. Anyway, the fight against the illness came to an end on the 10th of december 2007. His death means another big loss for the bluesscene. Friends and family will always remember him through his beautiful music, which will live on forever.
Vincent Pierins (bass) ( » website )
Vincent Pierins wasborn in Brugge on the 19th of october 1967. He went to the ‘stedelijk conservatorium'in Bruges from 1974 tot 1984 and studied piano, solveige and harmony. Hestarted playing the bassguitar on the age of 14 and played in various bars andcafé's untill the age of 18. Then he is offered to play with asemi-professional soulband. He is a professor at the Tilburg, Rockacademy andworked with: Live : Raymondvan het Groenewoud, Clouseau, Jan Leyers,... Side projects: Guy Swinnen (The Scabs), Jan Hautekiet, Roland, John Verminnen, Dirk Blanchart, Robert Mosuse, Wigbert, Patrick Riguelle, Stijn Meuris, Frank Vanderlinden, Rick de Leeuw,... In Studio: K's Choice, Novastar, Zap Mama, Françoise Hardy, Jan Leyers, Clouseau, Xander de Buisonjé, Ketnetband, Raymond van het Groenewoud, Noordkaap, ... - TV programs : ‘Idol 2007', ‘Tilt', ‘Lalala Live', ‘Vlaanderen boven', ‘Kom op tegen Kanker', ‘Levenslijn', ‘de Notenclub'.