A search has been launched for talented singers from all over Wales who fantasise about performing with their musical idol.
The top tenor Rhys Meirion , who was brought up in Porthmadog and now lives in Pwllglas, near Ruthin, is looking for music-loving dreamers to take part in dazzling duets on his new S4C television show, Canu Gyda fy Arwr (Singing with My Idol).
Anybody wanting to have a go or nominate somebody a friend or a family member need to contact the Caernarfon-based TV production company, Cwmni Da, by August 2.
They are looking for singers, aged from 10 to 110, to take part in the life-enhancing series which starts filming in the Autumn.
Rhys also presents Cwmni Da’s successful Corau Rhys Meirion, coaching community groups across Wales to form mesmerising choirs.
He said the groundbreaking ‘Canu Gyda Fy Arwr’ series is a tremendous opportunity for currently undiscovered vocal talents to sing with a star for example Welsh pop’s Elin Fflur or Bryn Fôn.
Those with the most compelling reasons for wanting to share the spotlight with their music idol will be selected to go forward to the filming stage during which they will be mentored by Rhys and the Cwmni Da team and potentially meet up and sing with their musical hero or heroine.
Producer Siwan Haf said: “We need applications from hidden singing talents from all around Wales. What’s different about this series is that we’re not setting out to discover wannabe superstars. It’s not focused on fame but on the human stories behind Wales’s wealth of musical talent.
Of all the arts, music really pulls at the heartstrings and what we’re looking for is those people with a genuinely compelling reason for wanting to sing alongside their idol.
In creating the series it’s our dream to make their dreams and aspirations come true – not necessarily to further their music careers but for the emotional fulfillment that being able to sing with their favourite artiste will bring them.
“It may be that their idol was much loved by a late mum or dad, for example, and their songs played in the background as they were growing up. Perhaps this person’s music helped the applicant through troubled times, or maybe it was the choice for a first dance at a wedding and one partner now dreams of singing that forever special number for their other half alongside the original performer.
“There are so many touching stories out there, all created by a love of music. We want to hear them all. It’s sure to be an emotional series but also uplifting for everyone involved, including the viewers.
