BRIDGE OF HOPE SET TO TOP THE CHARTS
Bridge of Hope set to top the charts
BY: JOHN McCUSKER
THE album dedicated to those killed and injured in the Omagh bombing looks set to be a Christmas No 1 best-seller in the North.
And as sales of the 'Bridge of Hope' tribute CD continue to rise, it's been revealed this week that a single taken from it could be set for release early in the New Year.
Local music outlets are still being inundated with requests for the album from hundreds of Christmas shoppers and bus-loads of visitors to the town.
While a newly-installed web site on the Internet has attracted interest from as far afield as Brazil and Malaysia.
Speaking this week, the album's co-ordinator. Ross Graham said the CD was currently poised at the top of the Virgin Megastore hit-list in Belfast "a thermometer to sales throughout the North."
And after storming in as the highest new entry in the Irish charts, it is still maintaining a top ten placing south of the border.
In the UK listings, it is currently among the Top 30 compilation albums, which Mr Graham describes as "an achievement in itself."
A total of 75,000 CDs and cassettes have been distributed in the first two-and-a-half weeks of release, while over 300 have been snapped up through the Internet.
"Since the web site was set up we've had hits from over 40 countries worldwide, including Venezuela, Brazil and Malaysia.
'The recording has also been featured in a major article in the Boston Globe, resulting in huge interest from throughout the US.
"We've already been approached by about 60 radio stations out there, and after Christmas we intend to market it throughout the States."
Meanwhile, record bosses haven't ruled out the possibility of releasing a single early in the New Year; - with Sinead O'Connor or the Omagh Community Youth Choir hotly tipped as a likely runner.
Although, as Mr Graham pointed out, the move would not prove beneficial to the Omagh Fund as profit margins from the single "would be minimal."
The local cross-community choir - who performed the title track on the album - will be guests during this Friday night's Christmas edition of the 'Kelly' show on UTV.
BY: JOHN McCUSKER
THE album dedicated to those killed and injured in the Omagh bombing looks set to be a Christmas No 1 best-seller in the North.
And as sales of the 'Bridge of Hope' tribute CD continue to rise, it's been revealed this week that a single taken from it could be set for release early in the New Year.
Local music outlets are still being inundated with requests for the album from hundreds of Christmas shoppers and bus-loads of visitors to the town.
While a newly-installed web site on the Internet has attracted interest from as far afield as Brazil and Malaysia.
Speaking this week, the album's co-ordinator. Ross Graham said the CD was currently poised at the top of the Virgin Megastore hit-list in Belfast "a thermometer to sales throughout the North."
And after storming in as the highest new entry in the Irish charts, it is still maintaining a top ten placing south of the border.
In the UK listings, it is currently among the Top 30 compilation albums, which Mr Graham describes as "an achievement in itself."
A total of 75,000 CDs and cassettes have been distributed in the first two-and-a-half weeks of release, while over 300 have been snapped up through the Internet.
"Since the web site was set up we've had hits from over 40 countries worldwide, including Venezuela, Brazil and Malaysia.
'The recording has also been featured in a major article in the Boston Globe, resulting in huge interest from throughout the US.
"We've already been approached by about 60 radio stations out there, and after Christmas we intend to market it throughout the States."
Meanwhile, record bosses haven't ruled out the possibility of releasing a single early in the New Year; - with Sinead O'Connor or the Omagh Community Youth Choir hotly tipped as a likely runner.
Although, as Mr Graham pointed out, the move would not prove beneficial to the Omagh Fund as profit margins from the single "would be minimal."
The local cross-community choir - who performed the title track on the album - will be guests during this Friday night's Christmas edition of the 'Kelly' show on UTV.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/0639
Published Date: 17-Dec-98
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