Meet Michael Schulte from Germany
This year 43 countries will be present at this years Eurovision Song Contest to be held in Lisbon in May. With around two weeks to go until all of Europe descends on Portugal's capital. Eurovoxx will introduce you to each country that will be participating.
Who is Michael?
Michael Schulte is a singer-songwritter from Dollerup in Western Germany. In 2008, he gained recognition by uploading cover videos to his YouTube channel. In 2012, he participated in season one of The Voice of Germany, finishing in 3rd place behind eventual winner and Unser Lied für Lissabon participant, Ivy Quainoo. After his time on the voice, he was signed to an independent German label Edel AG, through which he released his first album, "Wide Awake". He has since gone onto release two more albums in 2014 and 2017.
His song for Eurovision, "You Let Me Walk Alone" was written my Michael himself alongside Nina Müller, Nisse Ingwersen and Thomas Stengaard. The song is a very emotional and personal song, written about his father who died when he was younger.
Listen to Michael's Eurovision song below:
How was Michael chosen?
In December 2017, Michael was confirmed as one of the six acts that would be taking part in Unser Lied für Lissabon, Germany's national selection show for Eurovision 2018 which took place in February. He received top marks from the Eurovision jury, international jury and the televoters.
Germany in the Eurovision Song Contest
Germany holds the record for most participations at Eurovision - 61! They have only missed one contest since their debut at the very first contest in 1956. In 1996, they failed to qualify from the pre-selection round, something that the EBU was not happy with as Germany was, and still is, one of the biggest financial contributors to the contest.
Since the year 2000, Germany has been a member of the Big 4 (Big 5 from 2011 onwards) which means they are granted automatic qualification to the grand final every year, regardless of their result the previous year.
Germany has won the contest on 2 occasions - in 1982 with Nicole and her song "Ein Bisschen Freiden" (A Little Peace) and most recently in 2010 with Lena and "Satellite", which became a big hit across Europe.
Since their debut in 1956, Germany have achieved 13 top 5 placings and have finished last on 7 occasions.
Check out our interview with Michael at the London Eurovision Party:
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