Introduction

Hungary is one of this year’s participating countries with a very high enthusiasm. It seems that the ESC has become really popular in Hungary and that the Hungarian national selection DAL could open doors for artists. The last three years Hungary has qualified for the grand final with outstanding songs of international format. The national final DAL was packed with potential winning entries, a lot of good songs and talented singers. It was a pleasure for the international observer to follow the Hungarian shows.

In the national final it was a close race of the favourites. At the end the top favourite András Kállay-Saunders could not only convince the jury with the highest votes, also the televoters wanted him to represent Hungary in Copenhagen this year.

András was born 1985 in New York, a Hungarian-American. He has two famous parents, his mother is Katalin Kállay a model and his American father Fernando Saunders is a soul singer who played together with Luciano Pavarotti, Jeff Beck and Lou Red. In early year András father took him on his tours where he came into contact with soul and Motown music in Detroit. In 2011 he went to Hungary to visit his grandmother and stayed, he applied for an audition in TV talent show, where he ended up 4th. After signing his first record contract he permanently moved to Hungary. His first songs climbed up the Hungarian charts “Csak Veled”, “I Love You”, “Tonight” and “My Baby”. The song “My Baby” has been András first attempt in the DAL show in 2012, where he could achieve a good position, but he did not win. The song was another big hit in Hungary.

The song “Running” is strong pop song with a very catchy chorus and a cool rhythm. This song has real hit potential, as András voice is capable to meet high notes and keep his unique masculine voice. The stage performance in the DAL was outstanding with a young girl at the piano with a teddy bear, while András was sitting on a chair. The performance was special and won clearly, it’s worth to think not changing it for the ESC. This Hungarian song is one of the strongest Hungary has ever send to Eurovision, a possible winner, a very attractive and sympathetic singer with a great future in the music industry.

History

Participations: 12

Debut: 1994

Biggest success: 1x 4th place “Kinek Mondjam El Vétkeimet” by Friderika Bayer, 1x 9th place, 1x 10th place

Hungary had its debut with “Kink Kinek Mondjam El Vétkeimet” by Friderika Bayer in 1994 and came 4th with a big surprise. A remarkable placing in the debut year, also for other newcomers like Poland (2nd) and Russia (7th), they all shaped up very well in Dublin. From that debut year Hungary did not participate on a regular basis, the biggest pause has been between 1998 and 2005.

Hungary came back with new music and a lot of energy in 2005. The group NOX could bring Hungary back to a good position with a very well choreographed folkloristic dance song “Forogj Világ” which came 12th in the final. This fact did not only delight the TV viewers and audience, furthermore, Hungary found back a regular place in the contest with a big wow! There were other flashy entries like “Unsubstantial Blues” by Magdi Rúsza in 2007 (9th) and “What about my dreams” by Kati Wolf in 2011, which came 22nd in the grand final in Dusseldorf. This brought Hungary glamour and international attention even if the placing was not deserved. Last year in Malmö the Hungarian entry “Kedvesem” by ByeAlex also reached the final and made a respectable 10th place. Germany gave its 12 points to Hungary!