13/10/2006

Fron Male Voice Choir from the Welsh village of Froncysyllte in the Vale of Llangollen have been given a recording contract with Universal Music, the company whose acts include Eminem and 50 Cent.

And Zygi Kamasa, a producer on Bend it Like Beckham and co-producer of George Clooney`s Good Night and Good Luck, has bought the film rights to the choir's 60-year-old story.

The amateur choir's fortunes are changing after the former manager of boy band Blue, Daniel Glatman, saw them perform at a friend`s wedding. He offered to manage the choir and get them a recording contract.

Zygi Kamasa, a producer on Bend it Like Beckham and co-producer of George Clooney`s Good Night and Good Luck, has also snapped up the film rights to their story.

The choir recorded their debut album, Voices of the Valley, which is being released next month, in a recording studio in Manchester with the Prague Symphony Orchestra in July.

Their songs include traditional numbers like Jerusalem, Danny Boy and Abide with Me and new arrangements of popular tunes like Sailing, Unchained Melody and You Raise Me Up.

Choir chairman Dave Jones, 57, said: "I think we were in the right place at the right time. The whole experience of recording the album was fascinating and unique. We`re still coming to grips with it."

"We`re a very close family of 60 fellows who love singing. We`ve always been a successful choir and have won competitions around the world."

Mr Glatman added: "The choir can`t believe what`s happened. I don`t think they believe me about the film rights. When I told them, they looked at me as though I was mad."

Film producer Kamasa said: "The story of this choir who were picked from obscurity to be signed by the biggest record label in the world is a classic feel-good story that has huge potential, particularly when you consider that the average age of the singers is 60."