Toppers to represent the Netherlands

The Toppers consists of Gerard Joling (48), Gordon (40) and René Froger (47).

Joling entered the national spotlight in 1985, when he finished third in the popular Soundmixshow. In 1988 he represented the Netherlands at the Eurovision Song Contest with Shangri La. He finished ninth, and saw his carreer launched in Asia. Joling is not only a popular singer, but also a routined TV presenter.

Despite finishing second last at the 1990 national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest, Gordon got a record deal and became of the most popular Dutch singers of the nineties. In 1999, he saw his song for the Dutch national Eurovision song Contest final refused by the selection committee. The song hit the charts and became a bigger success than Marlayne's One Good Reason, which went to Jerusalem. In 2003, he is determined to win the national selection, but finished second with I'll Be Your Voice, right behind Esther Hart. In 2009, the popular singer, radio- and TV presenter will see his dream come true!

René Froger is the only group member without Eurovision Song Contest link.  He scored his first number-1 hit in 1989, and would continue to top the charts for many years. Despite being very successful, he never reached the first spot in the charts ever since. In 2005, doctors discoverd that Froger had cancer. Due to the early discovery, the disease could be treated well. 

The entertainment trio doesn't only feature three of the most successful Dutch singers, but has also been successful as a group. In 2004, Gerard Joling and Gordon featured as guest stars at a concert of René Froger, when the idea to form a group was launched. One year later, they sold out two concerts at the Amsterdam ArenA. Toppers in Concert took place another 12 times. Almost one million people visited the concerts.

The Nationaal Songfestival 2009 will take place on the 1st of February. TV viewers will get the opportunity to pick the song that will represent the Netherlands in Moscow. Songwriters and composer are invited to send in their songs, contributions are welcome until the 23rd of November. 

Despite sending in routined artists, the Dutch Eurovision Song Contest entrants have not done well over the past years. In 2004, Without You was the last Dutch entry to qualify for the Final. Last year, former Pop Idol finalist Hind didn't make it to the Final either with Your Heart Belongs To Me. The Toppers will have the challenging task to turn the tide...