The Falkirk Herald – 25 April 1991

Identical song helps stars to win talent contest

THAT superb ballad, “Love Changes Everything” from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s hit musical “Aspects of Love”, proved to be a double winner in last Saturday’s big “Stars of Tomorrow” grand final.

Falkirk Town Hall’s 900-strong audience cheered when it was announced that the judges had awarded the senior champion’s trophy to Avonbridge farmer William Waugh and the junior champion’s cup to 13-year-old Iain Morton…

Then realised that both singers had chosen the classic song as their first number.

William (23), of North Bankhead, Avonbridge, also thrilled everyone with his second number, “The Man from Nowhere”, and young Iain, of 36 Graham Crescent, Bo’ness, did the same with his follow-up song, “Where is Love?” from the show, “Oliver”.

With their trophies and gold medals, each received a superb Philips Hostess heated food trolley, valued at £150.

The final of this exciting talent contest, sponsored by The Falkirk Herald and Falkirk District Council, and organised by Scots showbiz personality Archie McCulloch, comprised 20 acts — 12 junior and eight senior — and the judges had a hard task separating the top three in each category, so high was the standard of performance.

But the judges — Falkirk Provost Dennis Goldie and his wife, May, and Falkirk Herald Editor Ken Waddell and his wife, Christine — stuck to their task.

They named the senior runner-up as Gillian Baxter (20), of 16 Glenbank, Glen Village, whose lovely soprano voice was a delight in the Scots favourite, “My Ain Folk”, and the junior runner-up as Sarah Gardiner (14), of 25 Erngath Road, Bo’ness, with her excellent song-and-dance act comprising up-tempo versions of “I Got Rhythm” and “If they could see me now”.

Gillian and Sarah each won a Philips food processor to go with their medal.

Third-place gift tokens went to Frances Campbell (29), of 9 Alloway Crescent, Bonnybridge, whose version of “The Power of Love” was very well received, and sisters Amanda and Samantha Clark, aged 13 and 12, of 29 Hamilton Crescent, Maddiston, with a dance routine as sailor and clockwork doll that was quite captivating.

The remaining five senior acts were singer Angela Presslie, vocal trio The Slick Chicks, acrobatic dancer Della Pullar, singer George McKechnie, and singer Elizabeth Collins.

The nine other junior acts were disco dancer Sharlene Buchanan, organist Nicola Henderson, song and dance girl Ann-Louise Graham, pianist Alan Riddell, singer Nadine McKenzie, singer Gaynor Hamilton, singer Wendy Matthews, Alana Addison and singer-dancer Alison Connell.

Adding a touch of glamour to the occasion was lovely Lyn Donaldson, “Miss Falkirk Herald”, who assisted Archie McCulloch in some audience participation fun and then presented the gold medals to the finalists.

The outstanding musical accompaniment all night was supplied by keyboards wizard Cowan Turner and the stage setting came from the District Council backroom boys, led by Entertainments Officer Craig Murray.

Modest senior champion William Waugh, whose only previous singing experience was at Young Farmers’ social events, summed up “Stars of Tomorrow”:

“It was great fun and a great thrill to appear before so many people on the Town Hall stage.”