Acoustic duo are strum-thing else to win contest

Apr 24 2008 By Graham Fraser

AN acoustic duo from Hamilton and Carluke have won Lanarkshire’s premier open-mic competition.

Ross Ferguson (25) and Cameron Baxter (26) won the strum 2008 final last Thursday night at Angels Hotel in Uddingston.

The grand final featured seven acts and was judged by ex-Radio 1 DJ Mark Page.

Ross and Cameron, who are part of the band Rio Callaghan, performed their own song “The Temptress” and a cover of The Police hit “Message In A Bottle”.

The pair have won a day in the Old Mill Studios in Strathaven and £600 in cash

“We are blown away with the win,” said Ross, who lives in Hamilton. “The atmosphere was electric.”

In second place were Jane Henderson and Chris Sherry.

The duo went on last out of the seven finalists and their set revolved around a cover of Timbaland’s track “Apologize”. They collected £250.

In third spot, with a £150 prize, was talented vocalist Steven Rodgers.

Steven sang the Otis Redding classic “Try A Little Tenderness”.

The four other finalists, who each won £50, all had something to offer the large and enthusiastic strum crowd.

Steven McKenna hoped his girlfriend in Australia was listening on the radio as he dedicated a fine version of the Jackson 5 classic “I Want You Back”.

Alistair Basset made it to the final after receiving the most online votes on the organisers’ website.

He chose to sing two of his own compositions and the experience of playing to such a large and enthusiastic crowd will pay dividends.

A few weeks ago, I was one of the judges who put Emma Dunlop into the final and once again she was fantastic.

She has a fine voice and I imagine she will be a little disappointed that she failed to make the top three.

She had the purest voice on offer and I am sure we will hear a lot more from her in the future.

Rapper Stevie B has been causing quite a stir at strum and he did not disappoint in the final.

Lanarkshire’s very own version of Eminem was absolutely electric.

Before the results, he told the Advertiser how happy he was performing in front of a large amount of people every week.

Tonight (Thursday), he will once again get the chance when he appears at Angels.

l You could win a fantastic meal for two at Angels, where strum - Lanarkshire’s premier open mic night - takes place.

All you need to do is answer this simple question: What night of the week does strum take place at Angels?

Send your answers to strum competition, Editorial, Hamilton Advertiser, Press Buildings, Campbell Street, Hamilton, ML3 6AX. Usual Scottish and Universal Newspapers competition rules apply.

Entries must reach us by first post on Wednesday, April 30.