BGT's Jai has 'power set list' for Elgin gig
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A BRITAIN’S Got Talent winner has hinted that he may perform a nod to Scotland's bard in his first ever visit to Elgin this January.
Scottish singing sensation Jai McDowall, from Ayr, won the nation’s hearts and the fifth series of ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent (BGT) when he burst onto TV screens in 2011.
The 33-year-old has a "power set list" written up for when he takes to the stage at Elgin Town Hall on Friday, January 31.
The singer will be joined on piano by Buckie-raised musician and producer Ryan McKenzie (24), the leading light behind Elgin's Let It Snow shows.
How life has changed for Jai since his big break. He has appeared on the Royal Variety Performance, China’s Got Talent, Mad About the Musicals and Les Musicals with Jonathan Ansell. And he won standing ovations from the judges when he recently appeared on Britain’s Got Talent: The Champions, performing Lady Gaga's hit from A Star is Born, I'll Never Love Again.
Before his launch to stardom Jai was studying music and audio technology at a local college which was "more engineering than singing". He added: "I'd always been a singer – and gradually realised I didn't enjoy the technical side as much as I enjoyed being on stage."
He said: "My life has dramatically changed. I'm doing a job I only used to dream about. I would never have ventured to some of the places I've been if the win hadn't happened.
"I'm very lucky – it's all because of the show.
"I've also been very lucky that I've been able to continue and keep plugging away. It's been a learning curve – it was all new to me and it takes time to get to grips with the industry and how it all works, just like any job."
Jai and Ryan became firm friends after meeting at the Glamis Castle Proms. Jai said: "When I perform shows in London, Ryan will play piano. He talked about the shows he'd produced at the Town Hall and we decided to line up a one-off gig in Elgin."
Jai has travelled far and wide since his BGT win – but despite that says he has never been as far north as Elgin.
He said: "I did a wee road trip up the coast when I first passed my driving test – but didn't quite make it as far up as Elgin."
Rehearsals will begin next week. He added: "I’ve heard great things about Elgin and I’ve also heard that the fans in the north are brilliant too. No matter where I sing in the world, it’s great to play on home soil. You just can’t beat a Scottish audience.
"I’ve got some amazing songs lined up for the show – perfect to chase away the January blues."
These include musical theatre classics, country hits, epic ballads, a couple of BGT songs, originals and Scottish favourites. Jai said: "I'm known for singing 'in your face'. Expect a big sound and big notes.
"I might even include a Burns number.
"I grew up in Burns country – with Burns poetry all around me. It would be a nice touch for this time of year."
Tickets, costing £25, are on sale now from www.elgintownhall.co.uk/ or IT Central, 37 South Street, Elgin.
