Stevan FADDY, this year's singer for Montenegro, got a big applause from his fans at Montenegro's rehearsal debut.

Montenegro is holding its breath with the country's first entry ever in the Eurovision Song Contest as an independent nation! After easily winning MontenegroSong, Montenegro's national selection in February, Stevan FADDY (photo: YLE) also gave a convincing first rehearsal today. His song Ajde Kroči was confidently performed by Stevan and his backing group that consisted of a bass and guitar player, a drummer and two female backing vocalists. Using lots of white light effects and a blue-greyish LED background, the song came across as one of the more rockish ones in the 2007 Eurovision Song Contest Semi-Final. 

Montenegrins enthusiastic about their first participation

Stevan FADDY had already tried to represent Serbia & Montenegro in the 2005 and 2006 Eurovision Song Contests, but only came 4th and 3rd respectively in the national heats. The composers of Ajde Kroči, Milan PERIĆ and Slaven KNEZOVIĆ, were already responsible for the 2005 entry of Serbia & Montenegro, which was then performed by the group NO NAME. Stevan hopes to repeat their success this year.

Montenegrin music is different

When asked in the press conference if Montenegrin music differs from the rest of the Balkan, Stevan FADDY answered that it's more modern and rocky, but not as rocky as the Finnish. He also told the audience that he has Scottish roots and that he and his family is very proud of that. His father even wore a kilt during the press conference and the family expects some support from Scotland during the 2007 Eurovision Song Contest Semi-Final.

• Photo gallery: First rehearsal of Montenegro (Photos by Alain DOUIT, Eurovision.tv)