Jude appears in the Down Recorder

Well done to Primary 7's Jude Quinn who made the front page of the Down Recorder after his appearance on Downpatrick's Got Talent.  A fantastic write up and we look forward to your turn at our Leaver's service.

A Schoolboy’s impressions of US President Donald Trump and Elvis Presley went down a storm in Downpatrick last Friday night.

Ten year-old Jude Quinn — a pupil at Teconnaught’s Holy Family Primary School — royally entertained almost 300 people during an evening show at the town’s racecourse which left them ‘all shook up.’

Jude, who recently took part in Downpatrick’s Got Talent, wowed the crowd, firstly with his impression of President Trump, before resurrecting Elvis with a stunning performance of In the Ghetto as he did it ‘his way’.

There certainly was a ‘little less conversation’ as a fearless Jude took to the stage and at the end of his routine he was delighted with the response.

Heading to St Colmcille’s High School next September, Jude, from Crossgar, already has his sights firmly set on a career in the entertainment industry and while still only 10 years old, he has all the ingredients to fulfil his dream.

Jude took to the stage dressed as Mr Trump and his impersonation of the larger than life US president was very well received. He then said he could bring back the most famous man ever to walk on American soil and transformed into Elvis, with a spellbinding performance that left his mum Paula in tears.

Confident Jude didn’t need a ‘good luck charm’ as he took to the stage and he will be performing again shortly as his P7 classmates at Holy Family PS prepare for their special leaving event.

“He did really well,” said Jude’s delighted mum. “He showed no sign of nerves and I think he gets his confidence from his dad Paschal.

“Jude used all of the stage during his performance and really engaged with the audience. We are all so pleased for him, especially as we didn’t know he could sing until four weeks ago. He was always good at impressions and takes off a number of characters who appear in the Benidorm television series.

“When he was preparing for the Downpatrick’s Got Talent competition, I suggested that he needed to do something different so he watched Donald Trump in action and was able to take off his voice and mannerisms.”

Paula also encouraged Jude to sing and after listening to a few Elvis songs, came across In the Ghetto which her son immediately said he liked.

She continued: “I wrote out the words to help Jude learn the song and when he went on stage last Friday night it was a very proud moment. It was also quite emotional and there were a few tears. You could have heard a pin as he performed.”

Paula says her son is keen to pursue a career in the entertainment industry and is pleased he was able to sample a great atmosphere last Friday night.

She added: “He was brilliant and we are all so proud. It is had to believe that just a few weeks ago we did not know that he could sing.”

When the schoolboy appeared at the Downpatrick’s Got Talent event, judges were fulsome in their praise, highlighting the confidence and stage presence of one so young.

One judge described Jude as an “absolute crowd pleaser” who delivered a “wonderful performance,” while another said the schoolboy was much more than just a novelty act, given his great singing voice.

A third judge added: “Jude, you are simply outstanding, a born entertainer and have a great future ahead of you.”

Given his success last Friday night, a rocking great future awaits young Jude.