A Perthshire pupil tipped to become Scotland’s next big singing sensation nearly missed news of her latest success after her puppy chewed her phone.
Stella Reilly is on course for stardom after she scooped a coveted young songwriter of the year title, beating off stiff competition from south of the border. But her moment of triumph was almost ruined when her enthusiastic pooch got hold of the family phone.
The 16-year-old Kilgraston pupil took top honours after her It’s Me It’s You track achieved thousands of internet downloads.
The talented teen was delighted to win the national contest, proceeds from which will go to Barnardo’s, but admits a faulty phone left her questioning the final result.
“Our puppy had bitten the phone so it was not really working properly,” Stella said. “It has been really, really quiet ever since so it is very hard to hear anything.
“I took a call and I thought I was being informed I had won but I was not sure that I had heard correctly.
“When the news was finally confirmed I was just absolutely delighted.”
Stella has big plans for the future, but confesses she is still struggling to come to terms with her success.
“Since winning the competition it has been a bit of a whirlwind. I just want to thank everybody who voted for me and downloaded the song.
“It is really nice to feel people have supported me in such huge numbers. All the songwriters in the final were really good and apparently the vote was really close.
“I never knew how it would turn out right up until the last minute to win was a complete shock.”
Stella is already planning a series of gigs and open mic sessions, with various events in Glasgow and Edinburgh among those planned.
“Winning has been the best possible Christmas present it is very exciting,” she added.
It’s Me It’s You was entered into the young songwriter of the year competition after it was selected by a panel of music luminaries including Sir Terry Wogan, Midge Ure of Ultravox and Nick Mason of Pink Floyd.
They all agreed that Stella’s entry was a potential hit. She then recorded the track professionally at the London studios of Dire Straits frontman Mark Knopfler.
Stella has the taste for stardom, having already performed the track live at Perth Theatre during the visit of Radio 1 DJ Chris Moyles and at the Dundee Christmas lights switch-on.
Notwithstanding the best efforts of her high-spirited hound, it seems certain further successes will follow.Find out more at www.young-songwriters.co.uk