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3/09/03

Tonight Track listings
[CD1]
1. Tonight (Single Remix)
2. Miss You Nights (Single Remix)
3. Where We Belong
4. Tonight (Video)

[CD2]
1. Tonight (Single Remix)
2. Tonight (12" Metro Mix)
3. Miss You Nights (Video)

Bryan's Rock Band

Bryan McFadden says the rock band he is managing will be unveiled when they have completed work on their album. He said that he will only launch the unnamed band onto the public once he is happy that the material they are working on is up to scratch, no matter how long it takes.

He said, "Rock's different from pop. There are no time limits, it's just whenever you have the right material. We've got a lot of good stuff at the moment but a lot of stuff that could be better. We want to make sure it's perfect, we don't just want to release four or five good songs - we want to make the perfect album."

However, Bryan commenting on Westlife's own songs, he admitted that he thought that Westlife's last two singles were s**t.

"The most important thing is to have great songs for the next album because I think, if we can be honest and put our hands on our hearts, the last couple of songs we've done have been useless. We need to come back with now with a great album. They were alright, but they were a bit s**t."

Best Group, U2
Best Female Singer, Carly Hennessy
Best Male Singer, Mundy
Best Trad Act, John Spillane
Best Album, Skylarking - Mic Christopher
Best Dance Act, Luke Thomas
Best Pop Act, Westlife
Best Radio DJ, Ian Dempsey
Best Country, Jerry Fish
Best New Act, The Thrills
Best International Act, Coldplay
Best International Male, Eminem
Best International Female, Avril Lavigne
Best International Album, Red Hot Chilli Peppers
Best Live Performance, Red Hot Chilli Peppers
Lifetime Achievement Award, Bob Geldof
Humanitarian Award, Bono
Industry Contribution Award, Phil Coulter

Humanitarian Award winner Bono has added a new Drop the Debt campaign to his busy schedule. The U2 frontman has asked if nightclub bosses could drop Colin Farrell's bar bill! Bono seemed in good spirits as has posed for the press during and after the Irish Meteor Awards. He was presented with a Humanitarian Award by his latest drinking buddy actor Colin Farrell.

The rocker joked with ShowBiz Ireland that his next drop the debt campaign will be to eliminate "Colin's Renards bar bill". Bono and Colin popped into their favourite late night drinking den, Renards nightclub, after the awards show. Many stars frog-leaped between Renards, Spirit, and Lillies Bordello nightclubs last night.

The majority of celebs turned up at Spirit where a guest list only event was laid on for the a-list celebrities. Westlife's Bryan joked with You're a Star hopeful Simon Casey outside the venue as he flirted with his wife Kerry.

Westlife fan wins special bouquet

Shane ran a Valentine's Day errand to deliver a special bouquet to a lucky uptown girl from Calcot. And 28-year-old Paula Godfrey, of Flodden Drive, could hardly believe her eyes when Shane marched into her office with an armful of roses on Friday afternoon.

Paula, an administrator at Crown Interiors in Woodley, owes her VIP visit to husband Russell, 27, who text messaged radio station 210FM to say why his wife deserved to meet the star. He said: "I only found out I'd won the day before. I told Paula and she couldn't stop screaming."

Russell's winning text message declared: "I love my wife more than anything, but she loves Westlife more than anything."

Starstruck Paula said: "I couldn't believe it. It's the first time I've met Shane. He's definitely my favourite member of the band. I've been a fan for about three years and am going to my second concert in June. I've never won anything before in my life. I didn't know what to expect. I mean, what do you expect when Shane from Westlife comes into your office?"

And the Irish songster - dressed in a brown leather jacket and woolly hat - also had a treat for some of his young fans who gathered outside the Headley Road company, because he happily posed for pictures and signed autographs.

Win Westlife Tickets from dotmusic

Westlife are taking their well-travelled arena tour back on the road this spring and you could be there for free. In the latest of our ticket competitions, we're giving away a pair of tickets to the band's London Arena show on April 17. To get your hands on the tickets all you have to do is answer the simple question and text us the answer. Each text message will cost you some money though.

How many members are there in Westlife?

A - 5
B - 3
C - 10

When you have the answer text WESTLIFE followed by a space then A, B, or C to 83149. The competition is open to UK resident. Only one entry per person is permitted. The competition is open from 18 February 2003 to 13 April 2003. click here for details

Westlife reassure fans yet again

The Irish lads told Newsround's showbiz reporter Adam: "It's very important the fans know we are not breaking up."

The rumours ignited last week when the band sacked their tour manager. And a record company insider was quoted saying they were "falling apart at the seams". But Kian reckons there have been so many rumours about them splitting, the fans should know not to believe them by now!n And even though they are going to have a new album on the shop shelves in November, the boys still think people will say they are on the verge of breaking up.

Shane said: "They expect us up to break up all the time - but we keep bouncing back with a number one single or a number one album." The lads are so used to gossip, they just get on with their music and try to ignore what the press say.

And they hope the fans do that too. But Bryan joked, when they do actually split up people probably won't believe them now!

Westlife 'not Splitting'

Westlife have reassured fans that they have no intention of splitting up. Shane was reported to have threatened to quit following a row over the sacking of their tour manager. But the boys issued a categorical denial and Shane said they were definitely not about to go their separate ways.

In a statement in said, "Westlife are definitely not splitting up. We're looking forward to starting rehearsals for the tour and we'll be recording a brand new album this summer, so everything is fantastic."

The End of Westlife story that shocked fans

Feb 21 2003

Shane wants out of top boy band

3am Exclusive

They've lasted longer than anyone thought possible but we can reveal that Westlife are on the verge of splitting. The crisis - which was serious enough to keep the band away from last night's Brits - came following the sacking of tour manager Anto Byrne.

Shane Filan told bandmembers Kian Egan, Bryan McFadden, Nicky Byrne and Mark Feehily that if Anto weren't reinstated he'd quit. But insiders say 22-year-old Kian - who masterminded the sacking - is refusing to budge, despite pleas from Shane and Bryan.

"Shane's not a happy man," our source insists. "He's told the rest of the lads that he's totally fed up.

"There were already simmering tensions in the band but when Anto was forced out, it was the last straw for Shane. He made his feelings clear at a showdown. And although they won't admit it in public, Shane has said that they've crossed the line and it's time to call it a day. There is a lot of animosity within the group now and morale is at an all-time low. When Shane walks out, they've lost their lead singer. It's like Boyzone without Ronan Keating - it just won't work. Everyone behind the scenes is wroking flat out to heal the rift."

Shane, who was allegedly offered a £6million solo deal last year, is considering going it alone. Meanwhile Bryan, 22, who has two daughters with wife, former Atomic Kitten star Kerry Katona, is also making plans for a back-up career.

The group have enjoyed incredible success since they burst on to the pop scene four years ago. They have had an amazing 11 No1 singles and have sold 25 million records worldwide. In December they suprised fans by releasing a greatest hits album but insisted they had no plans to go their separate ways.

"Best of" collections have been the death knell of many a pop act - remember Take That and Steps? The lads are trying to paper over the cracks for their 32-date tour which starts in April and finishes in July.

A friend of Shane reveals: "He was incredibly angry about the whole thing and like many other people believes this is the beginning of the end.

"He loves all his bandmates with all his heart but when fighting starts like this it's time to call it a day. He's had a few days to calm down now but he's still furious about the whole thing. It's not looking good. There have even been suggestions that Westlife announce their break up officially after they play Dublin's Lansdowne Road stadium at the end of June. It would be the perfect time for them to bow out," says a pal. "But they're still hoping it's not too late to kiss and make up. But performing their biggest-ever shows at Lansdowne could be the big final curtain."

Last night a spokesman said: "Yes, Anto was sacked but Westlife are not splitting up."

It is understood Anto had been involved in a long-running power struggle with band member Kian Egan. Sligo-born Kian, Westlife's unofficial spokesman, is to take over the day-to-day running of the band until a new tour manager is appointed. A spokesman for BMG Ireland, Westlife's record company, confirmed Anto had been sacked. But he denied reports that the band was in crisis following the split.

"At BMG we always found Anto very good to work with and we never had any problems with him," he said.

"But we were working with him on a professional level, not personal. Westlife seem as strong as ever and are, in fact, half way through their next album. Kian has taken over the day-to-day running of the band and it looks like that will be the way it is until a new tour manager is appointed."

Neither Anto nor Westlife were available for comment today.

Anto has been with the band since the start of their career and has accompanied them on tours around the world. It is understood record company bosses are secretly furious at the sacking.

One insider said: "It's madness. Anto's been with them from the start and no-one thought it would end this way."

Westlife performing at G.A.Y.

Westlife have confirmed plans to perform at London's G.A.Y. nightclub next month, four weeks before they embark upon their European Greatest Hits tour. They will perform at the Astoria on March 15 in order to promote their new single, 'Tonight', which is released the following Monday.

Liz dumps Kian

Atomic Kitten's Liz McLarnon is reported to have dumped her Westlife boyfriend Kian Egan - despite the fact that he lavished flowers and chocolates on her on Valentine's Day. They blame their hectic work schedules for the failure of the relationship.

Not that Kian didn't try - he sent his fav Kitten 100 red roses, luxury chocolates and £200 bottles of champagne on February 14. But a source close to the Westlife star said: "Although it was her decision, both parties are very upset that things didn't work out."

Liz, 21, and Kian, 22, met after a former Westlife bouncer began dating fellow Atomic Kitten star Natasha Hamilton. But the pair were only a couple for two months A spokesman for both McLarnon and Egan said: "Both of them are very upset about this, although the relationship was never that serious. They are both very busy with work and hardly have time for anything else."

2/04/03

Kerry gives birth to Lilly

Bryan and Kerry McFadden are celebrating the birth of their second child. Lilly Sue was born at Mount Carmel Private Hospital in Dublin last night, and weighed in at 7lb 7oz.

The Westlife singer and his TV presenter wife already have a 17-month-old daughter, Molly. A spokesman for the couple said: "Mother and child are extremely happy and healthy."

Bryan said: "I'm absolutely over the moon. I feel delighted, it's another step closer to becoming the big family. We're all at Kerry's bedside today. I'd like to thank all of Westlife too for all their love and support." Shane will be Lilly's godfather.

Nicky had to be restrained as he squared up to an opponent at a charity football match. He played for ex-Boyzone star Keith Duffy's All Stars team, and he lost the rag after he was floored by a reckless tackle.

He jumped up and confronted a member of Sky One's Dream Team but was held back by bandmate Bryan. Nicky's altercation happened as his fiancee Georgina Ahern, 24, made her first official appearance sporting the engagement ring he gave her at Christmas.

More than 8000 people had paid £10 each to cheer on the teams at Dublin's Tolka Park. Shane and Kyle Anderson, of pop act Six, had signed up with Duffy, who is currently starring as love-rat Ciaran in Coronation Street. The team included Corrie co-stars Chris Bisson, who plays Vikhram, Andrew Whyment, best known as Kirk, and Alan Halsall, alias Tyrone. Duffy was sent off during the match, which ended in a 5-5 draw. The proceeds went to ChildLine.

New tour dates

Westlife will now play additional shows at the Sheffield Hallam FM Arena on July 22 and London's Wembley Arena on June 8. Tickets are priced at £25 (£27.50, London)

NME Awards

Westlife have been nominated for 2 categories at the NME awards.

Worst album
Westlife
Robbie Williams
Gareth Gates
The Streets
The Vines
Coldplay

Worst band
Westlife
S Club Juniors
Stereophonics
Nickelback
Atomic Kitten
Blue

No surprise to me, as Westlife has been shunned at the NME awards publicly since eternity, and I personally could care less for NME in the first place (this probably helps since I live on the other side of the ocean).

2/02/03

Westlife visits Nashville (USA)

Westlife was in Nashville, Tennessee last week, home of country music. They were there as part of a BBC documentary for the UK entiteld, "Swapping Notes: Westlife go Country." Mark Wills headlined a concert at the Wildhorse Saloon on January 30, along with Westlife.

Westlife was in Nashville for 3 days to be transformed into country music artists. They received advice from country singing sensations Lee Ann Womack, Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton, & Deana Carte. Legendary producer Tony Brown, and producer Chris Farren are working together with Westlife to record the classic Kenny Rogers song "Daytime Friend, Night Time Love"'. They sang that song twice as it was being taped for the BBC. Steve Azar and Pinmonkey appeared along with Mark Wills for the show.

thanks to Kristina for part of the info

Natural to support Westlife in UK tour

US pop group Natural...a virtual unknown in the US by the way, and apparently big in Germany...will be supporting Westlife during their UK tour. They are scheduled for the following dates: Cardiff International Arena (April 15th), Birmingham NEC (May 27th), London Wembley Arena (June 3rd), Manchester MEN Arena (10th), Nottingham Arena (May 16th), Glasgow SECC (23rd), London Wembley Arena (June 7th), Manchester Evening News Arena (12th), Newcastle Telewest Arena (July 1st), Glasgow SECC (8th) and Sheffield Arena (18th).

Meanwhile, due to current commitments in Japan and South East Asia, where they're huge, Natural's next UK single, entitled Paradise, will now be released to coincide with the Westlife jaunt.

Alcohol is bad for you

Not only did Mark sport a new hair color for the "Tonight" promo shoot, it seems he also had to cover up a drink-induced black eye - and he visited the damage upon himself. A spy close to the boyband says, "We managed to cover it okay for the video, but it took us a while to bully him into telling us how it happened. Apparently he'd had a drink or two the night before and because the combat trousers he was wearing were so baggy, he tripped over and bashed his eye."

Bryan as band manager?

Bryan is looking to take a new career path - as a band manager. He is hoping to look after the fortunes of Warner Music's latest signing "Fifth Avenue".

And in order to clinch the deal McFadden is intending to use his best weapon - his voice. A friend says, "He's going to surprise them on stage at the Childline television show by coming on half way through their new track A Different Life and singing with them."

Bryan McFadden Takes the Fifth...

Bryan left Westlife at the weekend but only for a short while... he joined up with Irish band Fifth Avenue for an impromptu song at the Childline Concert. Fifth Avenue are most recently remembered for their chart topping hit version of Dan Hills' Sometimes When We Touch which went Gold in Ireland and has just gone gold in Sweden.

The Dublin band are great mates with Bryan who is also a big fan of their music. To the delight of the crowd in The Point Theatre on Sunday he joined the guys on stage as they sang their new single A Different Life. And amazingly this was the first time that a solo member of Westlife performed with another band.

Mark Murphy, Manager of Fifth Avenue told ShowBiz Ireland: "Fifth Avenue wrote 'A Different Life' and when Bryan McFadden heard the song he loved it so much that he insisted on performing it alongside Fifth Avenue at the Childline Concert." Fifth Avenue are releasing a double A side on 21st February 2003 with A Different Life and a funky, uptempo track called Infidelity.

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