SUMMARY

Responses from 27 countries, with possible new interest from Lithuania, Bulgaria and OGAE Rest of the World.

Malta, Slovenia and Bosnia have said no to 1982, although ex-Yugoslavia could still be represented by one or more from Croatia, Serbia, Macedonia or Montenegro.

25 countries already say yes to 1982 (as at 17/11/06)

STATISTICS 

25 OUT OF 27 – YES TO 1982 (92.6%)

26 OUT OF 27 – NO CHANGES TO SECOND CHANCE RETRO (96.3%)

25 OUT OF 27 – NO CHANGES TO GUEST JURY HITS (92.6%)

25 OUT OF 27 – NO CHANGES TO THE SIMPLE RULES (92.6%)

1. LIKE TO SEE MORE COUNTRIES IN GUEST JURY HITS

I agree – the aim has always been to have all OGAE Clubs taking part in the Retro events and I will do my best to encourage new countries to join in.

RESPONSE - Agreed

2. MAYBE DVD WITH VIDEO TO BE ISSUED

I love this idea, but don’t have the technology. Maybe someone could place the Second Chance Retro performances from the national finals on YOUTUBE for all to view? If anyone is able to do that, please email sechukweb@aol.com - the TRADITIONAL CD will be also issued.

RESPONSE - Possible via YOUTUBE if someone is able to provide this service

3. CANCEL GUEST JURY HITS / HAVE ALL COUNTRIES IN EACH CONTEST

Two Clubs have suggested that the Guest Jury Hits Contest is basically a Retro OGAE Song Contest and should be cancelled. GJH was never intended to be a Retro OGAE Song Contest and cannot be, as not all countries can participate. The idea behind GJH was to allow the Guest Juries for Second Chance Retro to also enter a song in a fun event that means everyone has a chance of winning one or other Contest with 1 song. This also allows both events to be released on a single CD.

As 25 out of 27 Clubs agree that there should be no changes to GJH, Sechuk will continue to encourage Guest Juries to vote on the Second Chance Retro entries by allowing them to provide a song of their own to GJH. Many clubs have commented how enjoyable it is to hear music from years ago from all OGAE Clubs. With the majority agreeing, GJH will continue – and all participating juries must vote on both contests to keep it all fair.

As an aside - If someone wants to start a Retro OGAE Song Contest, then that is a separate matter and Good Luck to anyone that wishes to initiate this!

RESPONSE - GUEST JURY HITS remains as for recent years

4. MORE RECENT YEARS

Two Clubs have noted that younger members may be losing interest as we go further back in time. It is understood that 1982 is ancient history to many euro fans, but it is also a golden age for many others. The original Second Chance started in 1987, so we can’t move forward – this is why Second Chance Retro is going in reverse. Interest will be monitored for 1982 to see how further back this will still work. Personally I’d like to go back as far as 1977 (in 2012!) and send Mary Mason for the UK! Haha!

RESPONSE - We can only go backwards in years but will monitor interest

5. NO REMIX VERSIONS / NO COVER VERSIONS

A few clubs have noted concern about the advantage that a more modern remixed version of a song can give and that we should make sure that all entries are originals from the year in question. This is agreed for 1982 and beyond.

RESPONSE - Agreed, only original versions for 1982 and on-going Retro events will be accepted

6. ALL COUNTRIES WITH OTHERS VOTING ON THEIR BEHALF

One Club has suggested that if an OGAE Club does not want to take part in Retro with a song from their National Final, then another club could vote on their behalf. Also suggested (and preferred) is that a member of a non-interested Club could represent that Club with a jury and a song from the National Final, rather than gaining no response from the main contact in a Club. Further comments are welcome, especially if you know of anyone in non-interested countries (eg Switzerland) who may be interested in arranging a Jury for Second Chance retro - email sechukweb@aol.com.

RESPONSE - Members of non-interested Clubs could represent that Club with a Jury and Song, as long as there are no great objections

7. EARLIER DATES (1 MONTH)

It has been suggested that the dates are brought forward so that results can be announced in September, not October. A few Clubs had asked that October be the date, as they ask members to vote at Fan Club days in September. Further comments are welcome sechukweb@aol.com.

RESPONSE - This is agreed in principle, unless there are any great objections

8. SIMPLE RULES (Reminder)

OGAE Clubs where the Country held a National Final for the Retro year in question can choose their favourite (non-winning) song from their ESC Selection of that year for SECOND CHANCE RETRO.

All other OGAE Clubs can participate as Guest Juries for Second Chance Retro and also enter a Hit Song from the year in question in GUEST JURY HITS.

A Guest Jury can still be a Guest Jury voting on both Contests without an entry in either Contest.

(Ex) Yugoslavia's Jury will be made up of Club members from one or more of OGAE Bosnia-Herzegovina, OGAE Slovenia, OGAE Serbia, OGAE Montenegro, OGAE Croatia and OGAE Macedonia. If Yugoslavia did not participate in Eurovision in the year in question, all former ex-YU Clubs can participate individually in GJH for that year.

Sechuk will be the web resource for both Second Chance Retro and Guest Jury Hits.

Both SECOND CHANCE RETRO and GUEST JURY HITS are voted on by the same juries, from the same CD - and voting is revealed on both contests via this site.

Dates will be issued for the whole programme (from 1982 this may be brought forward 1 month), to cover : Formal Invitation to all Clubs / Participation Confirmation, Song File, Artist Picture Deadline / Order of Presentation Draw / Contest CD Issue to Club Address Date / National Voting Period / On-Line Voting Deadline / On-Line Reveal of Voting Period.