Sone of Wales’ greatest musical talent is gearing up for this year’s Cân i Gymru, which celebrates its 50th year.

1969 was an amazing year – the first manned moon landing, John Lennon and Yoko Ono were doing their bed-ins for peace and it was in this year that the 50 pence piece was introduced.

Meanwhile in Wales, something very exciting indeed was happening – the first ever Cân i Gymru was broadcast.

Cân i Gymru 2019 will be broadcast live on 1 March on S4C at 8pm from the Aberystwyth Arts Centre with Elin Fflur and Trystan Ellis-Morris presenting.

Two Blaenau Ffestiniog musicians, Garry Owen Hughes and Gareth Ellis, have made it to the final of this year’s show with a song called Tydw i’n dda (Aren’t I good).

Garry said: “It would be amazing to win – but the experience of being part of the competition will be brill. Anything else would just be a bonus.”

Rhydian Meilyr from Machynlleth is also eyeing the big prize with his song Gewn ni weld sut eith hi (We’ll see how it goes).

He said: “Winning would mean so much to me. The acknowledgement of my music for one thing. I’m never quite sure how good my songs are until someone gives them recognition, responds in a positive manner or say they like the song.”

They are two of eight acts to make it the final in this milestone year of the competition.

Dyfrig Evans from Penygroes, Caernarfon has also made the final with his song LOL.

He said: “Winning would be a bonus! I feel I have succeeded by reaching the final eight. I just want to let everybody know that I’m still performing.”

The night before this competition, Thursday, 28 February at 8pm on S4C there will be a special programme – Cân i Gymru: Dathlu’r 50 – which looks back at 50 years of the iconic competition.

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