Music, politics and voting

I've been watching Russian Star Factory where they have a belarusian singer this year again. Last one, who won the contest, was Dzima Kaldun (or Dima Koldun in Russian), then he went to Eurovision 2007 and got the 6th (?) place hoping that Belarus would be finally in the final for the next year. As we know now, Eurovistion 2008 will be with new rules. Therefore, Belarus is again in the one of two semifinals...
Here is his performance at Eurovision with Spanish intro:)
Well, before Kaldun, it was Nata Padolskaya, who wanted to sing for Belarus in the year 2004 I think (or 2003), she didn't make it and went to Star Factory (she was the first one from Belarus, as I remember now). Then in 2005 she performed finally at Eurovision, but representing Russia. I was then in Kyiv to see the consert, I would recomment to everyone to visit it! :) Returning to Nata, she got the unlucky 11th place and Russia had to be in the semifinal in 2006. But still I think she is really gifted girl:) here is her clip for the Eurovision: So, speaking about these two, I've just read that they had a concert in Russia in October to support Edinaya Rossia, the Putin party. Kaldun says he doesn't care about the politics... It's sad, it's really sad, as I thing he should be responsible for his actions, same for Nata. But if they support Putin, as Belarusian citizens though, that's their choice.

In Belarus over the last week there was a big public resonnace over the meeting of the artists from the so called black list with Aleh Pralaskouski, who is the head of the ideological department (yeah, it exists!) of the President Administraion. There were told that the list will disappear if they will stay away from politics... This is the over side of the medal, you can be promoting politicians, but the right ones.
NRM, for example, quite often sings in Poland instead, especially at actions to support Belarus, like Solidar with Belarus:
Speaking about Eurovision 2008, some people say that Ruslan Alekhno will be representing Belarus, I would be happy actually:) He is also one the products of the Russian Show Business. He one one of the Russian Pop Idols (Narodnyj Artist).
I love this performance of him on Slavianski Bazar:
And now I've just realised what made me think of posting this info. Dakota, or Marharyta Herasimovich, is one the participants of the current the 7th Star Factory and today she went to the final:) She write her own songs, including both lirycs and music. Good luck, girl! Some videos of her: