"enormous audiences in both Brazil and People's Republic of China begging him to return"

"In Italy his album is currently climbing"

With a new album, an upcoming tour and enormous audiences in both Brazil and People's Republic of China begging him to return, Martin Stenmarck is an artist whose next step is eagerly anticipated by fans all around the world.

Martin Stenmarck knew exactly where he was going forming his own rock band at the early age of 14. At 18, he received the grand prize in a National Talent Hunt contest and in the years to come Martin earned several prominent scholarships, including the renowned "Alice Babs Scholarship for Singing". A wide talent such as Martin's has provided him with unlimited singing options, covering grounds from Hard Rock to Jazz.

In 2000, Martin Stenmarck became a true household name joining the "Rhapsody in Rock" international tour, all venues sold out. With an audience well exceeding 130,000 spectators, the final performance was held on a late November evening in a ready-to-burst Royal Albert Hall in London. Suddenly Martin's voice and charisma was introduced to yet another fastidious audience.
Early the following year plans were laid out for the next tour - plans which eventually led to Martin Stenmarck and "Rhapsody in Rock" in April boarding a flight with destination People's Republic of China. This tour as well would turn out to be a huge success, during which Martin's vigorous talent was ecstatically received by the Asian audience, including a group of producers.

In early 2002, with a rapidly growing fan base in every continent, Martin decided to release an album of his own. "One", Martin Stenmarck's first solo album hit the stores on November 20, 2002. Warmly welcomed by Swedish reviewers, Martin's debut album has been well received all over Europe. In Germany, Martin's hit single "I'm Falling" landed atop of the charts. In Italy his album is currently climbing.
Martin is deeply dedicated in social work, supporting several international charity organisations, and by December of 2003 he was honoured the title Sweden's "Ambassador for SOS Children's Villages". Later that year, Martin also got the opportunity travelling with Her Royal Majesty Queen Silvia of Sweden and the "Childhood Foundation" for a fundraising event in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The success was immediate when Martin entered the stage facing a 100,000-head crowd.

The year 2004 has this far been a busy one for Martin; recording his album titled "Upp och Ner Sånger", all songs exclusively written by Martin himself in favour of SOS Children's Villages, and going on a nation-wide tour with "Rhapsody in Rock". But this year Martin also peaked his career to date, when he in May was invited by a group of Asian producers to perform in front of 700 million viewers of the Beijing International TV Awards - this as the solely invited international artist.

Taken from http://www.martinstenmarck.com/main.htm

The Singer

Martin's appears to be somewhat of a singing success already, which is unusual in the Eurosong. The CV on his website however belies the lack of success "Las Vegas" is currently getting in his homeland.
Let's see what effect Eurovision has on the sales for his "much awaited second album".

The Past

Many immediately think of Sweden when they think Eurovision. Of course much of that is down to ABBA, who no doubt induced my birth in 1974. Sweden is a smashing country when all said and done, innocently jovial and then depressive in turns. Fortunately for all of us, they've been nothing but innocently jovial at the Eurovision, including the four times they've won, beginning in 1974 of course with the most famous Swedish export since the vibrating egg. A caked on Charlotte Nilsson won in 1999, signalling the beginning of the new age of Eurosong. A proud Euronation, and one to be cherished.

The Song
In what is always a hotly fought contest, this year's Melodifestivalen went with the conservative approach, namely a bloke singing about maybe getting in a fight in the US. "Las Vegas" is your usual Swedish cheese, with gleaming white toothed young adults professionally going about their business without even a glimmer of interest in the song they're singing. Which is fine, but it doesn't win these days. Watch out for more Swedish shenanigans with the microphone stand.

Gestures - 6 An extremely paltry total form a nation who to be fair usually rely on teeth and legs to get their message across. White cat-suited backing blondes add much to the experience, though the odd finger clicking from Martin does not make a performance. The teeth are all there though. Must do better.
"Wanna" Count - 0 Zip. Zilch. Nada. From the Swedes too...

Overall
He's no relation to his famous skiing namesake, but there's a good chance his career may be heading steadily downhill, without the avalanche of votes he is expecting on the 21st. He doesn't have to traverse the semi final, but I think his slushy song won't wow the audience and the s' no way that Martin can win. Good lord...
Mind you, it is Sweden so you can rely on a top ten finish.

In a Nutshell
"Bet on this, Lose your money"

"The Shrink Says"

Compassionate love is when two people first fall in love, they often have an intense passion; they want to touch and kiss all the time, and have very absorbing feelings. However, over time, this type of intense passion subsides. What evolves from this type of love can be nothing, or it can turn into "companionate love," a deep, mature, affectionate attachment between people who love and respect each other.

"Your luck can turn and you throw one dice"

Martin Stenmarck has a compassionate love for gambling, and a companiate love for his own abilities on stage. Maybe. Also here see delusions*.

*Delusions: People with certain psychological disorders (or those having a psychotic episode), may demonstrate delusions, or false beliefs, often of persecution or grandeur. For example, a schizophrenic may insist they he is a great singer who has won many awards and has been the hero to many, even though in reality, he is yet to sing in key.

Las Vegas

I've got a room here at the Manorly Bay
I take a shower then I'm on my way
I bring a friend if someone picks a fight
Here in Las Vegas tonight

It's close to midnight when I hit the street
The maiden voyage on my Vegas trip
The night is young, and everything's alright
Here in Las Vegas tonight

Dancing girls, and cabarets
You can spend your money in a million ways
Let's have a ball,
The winner takes it all

In Las Vegas
In the neon lights
You'll be a star, if you do it right
In Las Vegas, you'd better hold on tight
In Las Vegas
In the neon lights
Your luck can turn and you throw one dice
In Las Vegas, you'd better hold on tight
Here in Las Vegas tonight

I'm leaving with a milion-dollar-smile
The hotel manager can check my file
And Fred, the limo driver is asking polite
Here in Las Vegas tonight

Dancing girls, and cabarets
You can spend your money in a milion ways
Let's have a ball,
The winner takes it all

In Las Vegas
In the neon lights
You'll be a star, if you do it right
In Las Vegas, you'd better hold on tight

In Las Vegas

In Las Vegas
In the neon lights
You'll be a star, if you do it right

In Las Vegas, you'd better hold on tight

In Las Vegas
In the neon lights
Your luck can turn and you throw one dice
In Las Vegas, you'd better hold on tight
Here in Las Vegas tonight

Prediction Semi Final Just face it, they'll never have to bother with the semi-final
Final 13th