Forge Radio presenters are set to follow in the footsteps of Bono, Sting, and Paul McCartney after gaining permission to record Band Aid’s ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas?’
The Union radio station have joined forces with Singers’ Society and the Music Players Society to record their version of the song, which will be released on iTunes in time to battle for the Christmas number one.
Ben Kennard, manager of Forge Radio, secured the right to record the song after months of negotiations with Bob Geldof’s Band Aid Trust.
He said: "Hopefully people will like our version of the song and we can make thousands for the Band Aid Trust."
He admitted they were very surprised to be given the go-ahead, as requests are turned down all the time.
"Although most of us weren’t even born when the original song was released, you can see the effect the record had over the years and how it remains a Christmas classic," he said.
Presenter Paul Garbett and nine others from Forge Radio and SingSoc will tackle a solo section of the song, while another 40 make up the chorus.
Charlotte Winstanley, Chair of SingSoc, held auditions recently to find the final 50 singers.
She said: "The talent was amazing and we heard songs from ‘Away in a Manger’ to classic rock tunes."
Just like in The X Factor, expectant hopefuls stood on a cross and performed to a panel of four judges.
"It was a very difficult decision, as there aren’t many solo parts and everyone was very talented," said Charlotte.
The organisers are in talks with Sheffield United, and have been interviewed by BBC Radio Sheffield.
The Yorkshire Post will be videoing the recording.
They are hoping to make it onto TV and get national coverage of the song, which could then become a chart hit like its predecessors.
Warner Brothers gave the recording rights for the single to be digitally downloaded but there will not be a CD copy to buy.
‘Do They Know It’s Christmas?’ was originally released in 1984, when Bob Geldof recruited the most famous singers of the time to record the song.
It became the fastest selling single of all time in the UK and went straight to number one, outselling all the other records in the charts put together.
All profits went to Geldof’s Band Aid Trust to help starving children in Africa.
It is the first version of the song to be released since ‘Band Aid 20’ in 2004.
That single took artists including Dizzee Rascal, Robbie Williams, and the Sugababes to Christmas number one.
"All we need now is for everyone to keep downloading once it’s been released," said Charlotte.
The Union radio station have joined forces with Singers’ Society and the Music Players Society to record their version of the song, which will be released on iTunes in time to battle for the Christmas number one.
Ben Kennard, manager of Forge Radio, secured the right to record the song after months of negotiations with Bob Geldof’s Band Aid Trust.
He said: "Hopefully people will like our version of the song and we can make thousands for the Band Aid Trust."
He admitted they were very surprised to be given the go-ahead, as requests are turned down all the time.
"Although most of us weren’t even born when the original song was released, you can see the effect the record had over the years and how it remains a Christmas classic," he said.
Presenter Paul Garbett and nine others from Forge Radio and SingSoc will tackle a solo section of the song, while another 40 make up the chorus.
Charlotte Winstanley, Chair of SingSoc, held auditions recently to find the final 50 singers.
She said: "The talent was amazing and we heard songs from ‘Away in a Manger’ to classic rock tunes."
Just like in The X Factor, expectant hopefuls stood on a cross and performed to a panel of four judges.
"It was a very difficult decision, as there aren’t many solo parts and everyone was very talented," said Charlotte.
The organisers are in talks with Sheffield United, and have been interviewed by BBC Radio Sheffield.
The Yorkshire Post will be videoing the recording.
They are hoping to make it onto TV and get national coverage of the song, which could then become a chart hit like its predecessors.
Warner Brothers gave the recording rights for the single to be digitally downloaded but there will not be a CD copy to buy.
‘Do They Know It’s Christmas?’ was originally released in 1984, when Bob Geldof recruited the most famous singers of the time to record the song.
It became the fastest selling single of all time in the UK and went straight to number one, outselling all the other records in the charts put together.
All profits went to Geldof’s Band Aid Trust to help starving children in Africa.
It is the first version of the song to be released since ‘Band Aid 20’ in 2004.
That single took artists including Dizzee Rascal, Robbie Williams, and the Sugababes to Christmas number one.
"All we need now is for everyone to keep downloading once it’s been released," said Charlotte.
Fiona White
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