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Anthony Callea
Concert Review
By Graham Rushton
From Stage Whispers Magazine


Seagulls Club Stardust Room, Tweed Heads, NSW

The lights dimmed, the audience clapped, there were screams from teenagers, the music started, smoke gradually flowed across the stage, and then came the voice of Anthony Callea. The applause and screaming rose until at the right moment Anthony appeared through the smoke to the roar of a near capacity, diverse, audience ranging from 10 to 60 years. Together with a five piece band, Drums, keyboard and guitars, Anthony literally belted out his first number dressed in black pants and a red/black and gold(which flashed in the lights) T-shirt and continued into the next song. The band I understand was Tina Areana's band. Then he admitted he was getting over a cold so would sing next a song he usually saved for later in the program. The song was his #1 best selling hit, 'The Prayer'. To see this song performed live for this reviewer was an amazing experience. I had watched Anthonysing it on Australian Idol and listened to it on his CD but to actually see this young entertainer perform it live would have to be one of the most rewarding emotional experiences of my life. The passion that he gave to 'The Prayer' will long stay in my memory.
The stage setting for Anthony's performance consisted of several rostrum raise at different levels for the band, while overhead were strung seven extra large ballons. Throughout the concert these ballons were lit by ever changing colours of red, green, purple, yellow and white. The lighting and the sound levels were just perfect for the location at Seagulls Stardust Room.
As the evening continued Anthony went through a repertoire of around 15 songs including; 'Lost In Summer' and the recently released single, 'Hurts So Bad'. Since Austalian Idol, Anthony has developed his singing skills ans stage presence and brings to his performance an amazing maturity for his 22 years of age. He moved across the stage touching hands with the audience who at the time he had asked to step forward to the stage. Every young girls dream came true and I must say the dream of the gay guys who were also in the rush to the stage. Every bump and grind, slinky move across the stage proved what an entertainer this young man has become. He asked the audience "Let me hear you scream" and they did.
Anthony thanked the Austalian public for the support they had given him over the past seven or eight months. He has come a long way since performing in his younger years in Melbourne. As the concert moved on he sang the classic, 'Route 66' and ended the evening with the Paul Simon classic, 'Bridge Over Troubled Water'. Once again this brought the audience to fever pitch.
Guest Artist on the show the lovely Tina Cousins who came all the way from the UK to be Anthony's special guest. Tina got the audience going with songs like 'Master Mind' and 'Pretty Young Thing'. With words like "there's something in the breeze, you're a pretty young thing", she dedicated the song to Anthony and said she's seen him in his shorts and girl's it's good. She also sang her new hit song 'Wonderful Life'. In her 30 minute performance she warmed the audience and got them ready for the national phenomenon that was to follow.
For his encore song Anthony chose his hit song 'Rain'. Again the younger members of the audience rushed the stage as he reached out and touched their hands and for those of us sitting listening he reached out and touched out hearts. One avid admirer had produced a large star with lights around it, obviously denoting what Anthony is - a star.
If you don't catch Anthony on his current national tour I recommend you go see him when he appears anywhere near you in the future. He was on stage for a full 1 hour and 20 minutes of non-stop singing. You can see him on the television or listen to his CDs but to actually see this dynamic performer live is an experience you will not forget. Go for it Anthony, the world is yours.
In closing I would like to say, as a mature person I would like to see him perform some of the great songs from Broadway. I am sure this young man would have another best selling CD on his hands if he looked at something like this.

Stage Whispers - Performing Arts Magazine
July-August 2005 edition (Vol 14, No 4, p56/57)
Music Update
Musical Notes with Peter Pinne

Anthony Callea

Anthony Callea is a dynamic, hot performer. Sexy is the wrong word as he doesn't flirt with the audience, but he has a Sophia-Loren-like timeless sensuality that gives him a connection to a diverse audience from teenage girls to seniors, straight guys with their girlfriends to gay men.

Though he's only been in the public eye for a year, the maturity he brings to his performance stems from having worked on developing his singing skills since he was three. Having to perform consistently week after week, on Australian Idol has only refined his stage presence.

What marks his music is the diversity of the materials and its consistency. While his songs cover a variety of genres, they maintain the homogeneity necessary to pop success. The standout songs were a cover of Enrique Iglesias's Hero, naturally The Prayer, and the encore performance of Rain.

It's obvious that he's someone doing what they love and this brings a passion to the performance that grips you from the opening note to the final note of each song. If you've liked his recordings, then the chance to see him live is worth every penny.

His new single 'Hurts So Bad' is out July 3.

Due to overwhelming demand, Anthony Callea is set to embark on an extensive tour of Australia throughout July and August proudly presented by Video Hits and Network 10.

Anthony Callea's recent shows in Sydney and Melbourne sold out in a matter of days with many disappointed fans missing out on tickets. This time however Anthony has extended his tour, reaching from far north Queensland down south to Hobart and taking in Adelaide and many regional centres along the way.

Anthony's first two singles, 'The Prayer' and 'Rain/Bridge Over Troubled Water' and his debut album 'Anthony Callea' have all hit the #1 spot on the ARIA charts. Anthony's third single 'Hurts So Bad' hits radio this week, and if the response from audiences during his recent tour are anything to go by, Anthony has another huge hit single on his hands.

Supporting Anthony on tour is special guest Tina Cousins direct from the UK, currently enjoying national airplay with her new release 'Wonderful Life'.

Sugarfoot lays down for Anthony
Inpress Magazine

Miffed at having been OS when he last played his home town I was champing at the bit to get my watch on at Anthony Callea's gig at the Palais on Satdee night. A long dinner meant I missed the Eurodance stylings of Tina Cousins who by all accounts (well one person I spoke to) was rather good.

Twas a novel experience to sit up on the top deck, having previously scammed freebies down nearer the stage and initially I was worried we mightn't be able to see the diminutive Anth. Such fears were swiftly allayed as we were afforded a good as you get at Medallion Club at the Cougar Dome, but with the added bonus of being next to real-life celebs (okay, so it was just Ricki Lee with mark Holden behind us) Oh yeh, and the seats, while old were bloody comfortable.

The lights dimmed, the squealing reached Hansonesque levels and on to the stage our hero strutted to open with album track Take it to the Heart. Supported by a tight live band AC weaved his way around a few other album tunes and B-sides also turning his undisputed vocal excellence to some covers he wowed them with on Idol. His renditions of semi recent pop hits Bailamos and walking away put Enrique and Craig to shame, but were surpassed by his surprising cover of the old classic Route 66 which served to underline his versatility.

Current single Hurts so Bad went down a treat with the primarily pre teen plus parent crowd as they eagerly interacted with the engaging Melburnian

But we all knew the main reason we were there- to hear The prayer. Hataz may do their best to dismiss Anthony as pop fluff, but only a deaf mute could have a legitimate excuse for not praising his version. Having heard it butchered recently at a wedding and having listened to Bocelli- Dion cut, Anthony's is nothing short of phenomenal.

Having spied some hitherto music stands at the rear of the stage, the excitement started to build when the strings were brought out. He didn't disappoint. Closing my eyes, to the sniggers of the missus and some surrounding dockers, I experienced one of the best concert experiences of my life as Anthony's beautiful voice transported me past even the usual goosebumps I get at massive concert moments. Even the little bogan lad dragged along by his female relatives arose from his slumber to dribble at the brilliant display. Listening to this emotional performance is actually quite draining so it was a relief when he dropped the tempo following the big finish.

In addition to The prayer, I'd been stinging to see him perform his awesomely awesome rendition of one of my all time fave songs R Kelly's Ignition. Sadly this was to be the only lowlight. Countering my disappointment, though, was the soaring performance of that ancient favourite BOTW- I reckon there were a few people in the audience who would've gladly laid down their lives for Mr Callea at the end of that song.

The gig finished with the second single Rain, which Like Bon Jovi's It's My Life I hadn't loved before hearing it live. It's funny how songs can be made and other lessened when you hear them at a gig- judging by the standing ovation the crowd was giving, it's fair to say they thought he was pretty damn special. And he is!

While Casey may have gotten the sympathy vote from the Australian Public the real winner of the second series of Idol was clearly Anthony and, by extension, his legion of rabid fans. We can only hope that AI3 uncovers someone anywhere close to his talent- sadly with Kyle at the helm, we're likely to get someone as talented as Tamara Jaber.
Let there be a prayer that doesn't happen!

awesome lea ;)
i will post some up just gotta get dressed first lolz if its not tonight then tomorow :D

ANTHONY CALLEA AND TINA COUSINS PERFORM TO A PACKED CROWD
- Lauren Pratt ... Cairns

Anthony Callea's trademark song The Prayer has been played ad nauseam on radio but it still made a huge impact on the capacity crowd at Brother's League's Club on Friday night.
Tina Cousins opened the show with a surprisingly good live vocal and plenty of seductive moves, keeping the audience entertained.
She performed some of the old favourites including Pray, Mysterious Times, and her new hit Wonderful Life really got the audience in the mood to party.
But it was Callea's entrance that got the girls - and boys - screaming.
His band kicked in before Callea sauntered onto the stage and broke into song. He really is a sexy performer.
With shirt half open and modern, spiky hair, every swivel of the hips resulted in screams from the audience.
But it wasn't just the expected teenage crowd of girls who were interested in the double act.
There were plenty of middle-aged women getting flustered over the young "Italian Stallion"...or maybe they were there just for the music.
And the music was good. Callea has a magnificent voice. It is rich, extremely powerful and controlled.
He sang a few up-tempo songs that were perfect for dancing then slowed down for a number of ballads.
But the jaw-dropping moment was when Callea sang The Prayer.
It is a song worth hearing performed live by Callea. He also threw in a few of his own catchy tunes but it was obvious he loves to sing a good ballad.
The venue was the perfect size for the crowd of about 500 people, allowing enough space for dancers and groupies up front and people to sit towards the back.
Callea and Cousins were not just two people who got on stage to sing then got off. They both interacted and signed autographs after the show and chatted with members of the audience who truly appreciated them.

http://www.betterliving.co.nz/content/atPl...lea-review.aspx

"Anthony Callea"
review of album from 'Better Living' Magazine ...New Zealand


The long wait is over, and Anthony Callea now has his self-titled deput album out in NZ.

At just 22 years of age Callea has made his mark in Australia and now its time for us to get our second taste of his talent since his Australian Idol journey.

But first some trivia for you Calleaites (and non-Calleaites) out there:

* His debut single, 'The Prayer', is the highest selling Australian single of all time.

* Runner up in Australian Idol 2004

* Full name: Anthony Cosmo Callea

* He asked his parents for singing lessons when he was only three years old.

* He has younger brother Matthew, and a younger sister Christina.

* Born on 13 December 1982.

And now to the important stuff, how does this album rate?

The 12 track album begins with a crowd favourite, 'The Prayer'. This song made the hair on the back of my neck stand up, very stirring! and it wasn't the only track to have that affect on me - Per Sempre (For Always) is sung in a similar style. When I Get There was inspirational (I love inspiring lyrics) and Bridge Over Troubled Water was a brilliant tribute to Simon and Garfunkel. These songs also truly show Callea's vocal range, and as the album continues to play you get a sense of this guy's incredible talent for singing.

Rain has a popsy sound to it that suits Callea's boy-band look, and to be honest I found myself singing along without even realising it - tre' catchy! Hurts So Bad, automatically made me think of Ricky Martin.

Halfway through the album, things get a lot more mellow with love-filled ballads and further popsy notes. I get the sense that you could happily play this on a lazy Sunday afternoon.

Callea has a rare talent, a beautiful voice that reaches people across generations. To top it off he is a beautiful man (as a good friend likes to say). If you'd like to check out photos visit:

http://www.anthonycallea.com.au/

these arent mine i think i got it off acof ages ago??

Just putting this in here for safekeeping :)
Fabulous result!!!!!!!!! :banana

Thanks for those guys :)

Here are three independent reviews of this awesome DVD, if you haven't got a copy yet....do yourself a favour and grab a copy. :Anthony:

Dvd Review, in Poprepublic

There is a pretty good review in the Pop Republic paper, which is associated with HMV on the DVD.

Page 11

ANTHONY CALLEA
Live in Concert

The pint sized proficionado?? is back, and this time on DVD... the disc was recorded in Melbourne during Ant's recent round of Aussie touring, and if you missed out seeing him live, then you HAVE to buy this DVD.
His show was really well executed and aside from the power ballads, Anthony really kicks it with the audience and is far less plastic than people would have you believe.
An awsome offering from a very talented bloke..check it out before your sister steals it from ya!!

4/5

This is on page 11 on the December 05 publication on the website.
___________________________________________________________________

Another Great Dvd Review - Tv Week Iss 10-16 Dec, DVD OF THE WEEK **** 4/5 ****

The second great review in a matter of days...and they have it as the DVD of the week.


ANTHONY CALLEA - LIVE IN CONCERT

This DVD is bound to silence many of Anthony's critics.
Filmed at his Palais gig in Melbourne this year, it showcases Anthony's extensive talent - and extensive fanbase - proving once and for all that this young entertainer in no flash in the pan. ****


His DVD was reviewed against Delta's 3/5 and Missy Higgins 4/5, and his was picked as the pick of the week.

___________________________________________________________________

This is the third review of the DVD and they have all been great not one negative.

This is great rating for his first DVD.

This is the article in New Weekly:

New Weekly DVD review – dated 2 Jan 06 issue Page 71

ANTHONY CALLEA : Live in Concert
The Plot: The Australian Idol runner-up plays the Melbourne’s Palais Theatre. Songs include his debut single The Prayer and his double A-sided Rain/BOTW.
DVD Extras: Five Videos, a look at how the videos were made, an interview with Anthony and a Photo Gallery.
Did you know?: The Prayer is the fastest & highest selling single ever released by an Australian Artist.
**** 4 stars out of five.

Star Rating:
* Groan
** So-So
*** Enjoyable
**** Really Good
***** Brilliant

http://www.ozonline.com.au/buzz/int1net.htm

ANTHONY CALLEA

– P.Sutton

‘I’m afraid of heights, so the lower the better,’ says ex pop idol Anthony Callea. So it was out with the pad on the 60th floor of the new Eureka tower. Gone too was my image of all white furniture, expansive white leather couch and expensive Bang and Ollufsen sound system in the corner.
Anthony rather liked the idea and seemed to be having a good chuckle.

It was going to be a week of ‘Morning TV shows,’ he had just broached Kerri Ann on Channel Nine and Bert was the next morning. What was the exciting life of a popstar like?

Not as complicated as might seem given his pretty relaxed rider. ‘It really is just chicken sandwiches (with lettuce, tomato and mayo), pineapple and good chocolate,’ he explains.

Anthony Callea is full of surprises. Not the least being that the voice on the other end of the phone seems totally disconnected from the image and songster we see. It is educated, adult, resonant and warm. Not at all ‘Idol’ as I had expected.
So how does he cope with the attention? Liking a good meal at a good restaurant, he would certainly be an attention getter?
‘It is something that I do really. I am used to it. You just have to live life as normal as possible.’

In the end it is all image. Take the height. I had read (and assumed) that Anthony C. was a short guy, but in preparing for the interview, perhaps the most common misconception seemed to be Anthony’s height. He is in fact much ‘taller’ than supposed. Apparently it was an ‘Idol’ thing.
‘Rove keeps on taking the mickey out of me because I am short, but when we stand next to each other we are exactly the same height!’

One shouldn’t take press releases too seriously either., Anthony’s positively states the fact that he considers he is ‘no good at doing anything’ other than singing and in the course of the conversation I learn that the mystery Callea bachelor pad is a virtual gallery of Anthony’s own paintings.
He is an enthusiastic and capable artist it seems. ‘I did them myself so I am pretty proud of them.’
So is he a ‘jack the dripper’ or ‘mogley the organgoutang’ type of painter?
‘I am very symmetrical. I like even paintings,’ he explains.
‘It’s acrylics and I do it out on the balcony.’

Favorite colours are browns and blues.
So where does the boy find the time to paint?
‘The past couple of months I have been doing a lot of writing. On my afternoons when I am not writing I like to go out onto the balcony and paint away.’ Now however it was time to walk away from colour pigeon droppings on canvas and discuss the new release. The last single off the album. Of course he was ‘very excited’ about the new release.

‘I went back to doing a big ballad, That’s what I do best really. It went really well on tour.’
So ends the last album But Anthony has been writing consistently and will soon be overseas for 5-6 weeks touring. No time to write (or paint), hopefully some writing in the UK with well known Brit musical writers, then a special show in Milan to some 200,000 people (where his family came from.) Unfortunately he does not speak Italian so he is hoping for plenty of English. ‘I have never been to Italy so I am really looking forward to going.’

At one stage A.C. had some twenty-five private singing students, does he still teach? No so! Lack of time and the success that Idol gave him has meant there is little time for old tricks.

Has he been offered some musical production? Would we be seeing Anthony Callea onstage for a revival of Rogers and Hammerstein’s ‘South Pacific’ perhaps? Not likely. He was only aware of ‘West Side Story.’ And it was not something that he was keen on. He prefers being a solo performer.’
‘I am happy doing what I am doing at the moment and working on my original stuff.’

Will it be the same Anthony Callea in the next album or something a little different?
‘I wouldn’t ever move too far from what I have done. The new release will feature a lot more of my music and lyrics and melodies. I will have so much input into this release. The last release was really very rushed as we had to get ti out there to take advantage of the TV show. It’s more me than ever before.’
Who is Anthony Callea?

“I love my big ballads and gutsy lyrics that are not too complicated and tell a simple story, but are delivered in an emotional way.’


© Buzz Magazine 2005

(with thanks to Crystal Callea from ACOF)

A YEAR ON, IDOL KEEPS CALLEA ON HIS TOES

The Idol surprises keep coming for Anthony Callea.
After all the ups and downs of Idol 2004 for the diminutive pop star, Idol version 2005 hit him with a big surprise in its second week.
"My favourite's gone," Callea said. "I was rooting for Natalie (Zara), I thought she'd be in there for a while."

But the Italian hearthrob, who still laughs when people use that term, has found a new favourite among the six remaining contestants.

"At the moment I'm enjoying Anne (Robertson), she's the standout one for me."
Callea was speaking from Sydney during a day of interviews, fresh from performing at the ICC Cricket Awards the evening before.

He said that he was becoming more and more accustomed to performing on large stages.

"I wouldn't say it gets easier," Callea said. "But you learn to control your nerves, (but) certain events are more intimidating. Like last night I rocked up and they said 'this is going to be broadcast in the UK, South Africa and India' and I just went 'rightio'," he said with a laugh.
"That's always in the back of your mind but you can't let that take over and worry you."

I t has been a whirlwind 12 months for the pint-sized Idol bridesmaid.
After finishing second to Casey Donovan, in the 2004 competition, Callea signed with record company Sony BMG, released the highest- selling single in Australian history, (a cover of Andrea Boccelli's The Prayer), and brought out his debut self-titles album, and has toured most of Australia.

"Overall it has been quite busy." Callea said
"I try to take a few days off here and there to catch up witth friends and family - I always try and balance it out. You can just work, work, work."
Melbourne-raised Callea bases himself in his home-town, where he has spent the past few months working on some new material.

He said a second album would probably be out some time in the middle of 2006.
In November Callea is off to the UK to work with writers and producers and sharpen up what he's been working on so far.
He will also pay a visit to Milan.

"While I'm there I'll be doing a big music festival where they expect like 200,000 people and all the big names in Italy sing there. I t will be very exciting."
And not a little bit intimidating?
"You can't let that (sized crowd) affect you too much and control you too much," Callea said.
"But I'm sure once I get there on the day I'll be very nervous."

Callea, who still keeps in close contact with fellow Idols Ricki Lee Coulter and 2004 winner Casey Donovan, released the final single, Per Sempre, from his debut album last week.
"It's great to know so many singles have come off the album and all of them have gone quite well," he said,
"I'm very happy with whats happened. With this last single (Per Sempre) I wanted to do something I really loved, the big ballads. I know it's not the most commercial song, but you know that's me and that's what I wanted to do. I'm just happy to finish off the album on a high with something that I want to do. You just have to be true to yourself and I think that comes through at the end. There's no use getting out there and trying to sing something and trying to promote something and trying to believe in something that you really don't beleive in. How do you expect people out there to beleive in what you're doing?."

Callea said that he enjoyed watching the current series of Idol, if he could get some peace and quiet when it was on.
"I try to sit there and watch it but if I'm with freinds or family they just ask questions through the whole bloody show and it's like 'shut up'." he said jokingly.
"It's weird watching it after I went through it last year. I understand what they've gone through."
And Callea had a little praise for new judge Kyle Sandilands
"He just brings something completely different to the show really. It's good in a way that he's not trying to be Dicko (former judge Ian Dickson) - he's just being himself."

And speaking of Dicko, Callea said he was loving watching his former analyst on Dancing With The Stars, especially when Dicko donned Kermit the Frog-esque attire.
"It was ridiculous - we got a good laugh at home (over the Kermit gear). It's an absolute laugh watching him dance," Callea said.
"When he used to sit there and talk about image for us and what we should be wearing and I look at what he's wearing now and I'm there going 'uh huh'."

http://www.channelv.com.au/



Anthony Callea wins Oz Artist!

Anthony must have thought his prayers had been answered when he was crowned Oz Artist of the Year on the red carpet at the ARIAs Awards last Sunday. With our school band giving their best rendition of 'The Prayer' and a shower of glittery confetti, the former Idol wild card was awarded the title along with a pink sash and a tiara. He also scores a $20,000 cruise to the Hayman Islands on a luxury yacht, guaranteeing him some quality rest and relaxation. "It's a real honour to receive the Channel [V] Award, as it was direct from the public. Thanks to all the fans," said a stoked Anthony.

Later that night, he won an ARIA for Highest Selling Single for 'The Prayer' which he also performed live. Congratulations Anthony!

It’s the answer to his Prayer

Life’s still a whirlwind for this Idol, says PAUL NASSARI

Its not about winning or losing for Anthony Callea, the 2004 Australian Idol runner-up – it’s about making the most out of whatever comes his way.
“Obviously when you enter a competition, you are going to try your best to win, but it’s what you do with your opportunities on the way that probably have the most impact on your career afterwards,” he said.
“By the time I made it into the top 12, I knew I’d have to try to do everything I could with every opportunity and I was committed.”
“The decision to make The Prayer my first single, after it became such a defining moment for me on the show, was probably the smartest move I ever made. The response to it was huge.”
In the aftermath of Idol, the 22-year-old singer has happily adjusted to a life of instant celebrity.
“I’ve been doing it for a while now and I can’t complain. My 22-date East Coast tour just finished and I’m looking forward now to the release of Per Sempre, my fourth and last single from the album and to the ARIAs.”
Callea has been nominated for two of the prestigious awards this year. They are Highest Selling Single (for The Prayer, widely acknowledged as the fastest-selling single in Australian music history, and Rain/Bridge Over Troubled Water) and Highest Selling Album (for his self-titled debut). He will also perform at the awards.
“It’s been great to have been nominated – just to even be a part of it. I was just a guest last year and that was pretty thrilling. To go there this year as a nominee is a great feeling. It’s put my in the same category as Delta Goodrem and Missy Higgins, which is pretty cool. To come away with one of those awards would be an absolutely bonus. No one will be able to take away from the fact that I’ve at least done this much, that I’ve been recognized for it, too. That’s a big thing, I think.”
The tour inspired Callea on where he wants to take his career next.
“It really is something else to sing all those songs night after night,” he said. “They really become a part of you – and to do it all in front of a live audience changes how you feel about it completely. It was quite a revelation to see how they responded. I’ve learned so much about what songs work best and which are more comfortable for me to sing.”
Callea plays his cards close to his chest in describing the nature of new lyrics he’s been working on, but is willing to shed light on the style.
“I don’t think I’ll stray too far from what I’ve already done,” he said. “I’d like to have a lot of depth in my songs lyrically and that’s what I’ll concentrate on when it comes to writing.”
The response to his big ballads helped decide the fourth and last single from his self-titled debut album.
“I chose Per Sempre as it was one of the songs that got the biggest response live. It’s one I truly enjoy singing, too.”
Callea has been too busy to watch much of this season’s Australian Idol but says seeing it has a strange effect.
“Sometimes I think, if only I knew then what I know now. I wouldn’t have worn those stupid glasses onstage that’s for sure. What was I thinking?”

Star still rising
By Kane Young
July 29, 2005
From:
AFTER being showered with girls' undies at shopping centres around the country, Australian Idol runner-up Anthony Callea will get female hearts racing in Hobart next month.

While his Idol success has made him a huge star in terms of sales figures, Callea, 22, is determined to be remembered as more than a manufactured pop star.
"You can't forget where you came from, and yeah, that show gave me a great launching pad," he said.

"But I just do what I do, and hopefully people will recognise me for what I do, which is singing, rather than coming from a show."

Melbourne-born Callea has been doing what he does best since he was three years old.

By age 15 he was already performing at Melbourne's Crown Casino, and by 17 he was making a living as a professional singer and teacher, doing corporate gigs and weddings as a member of vocal trio Say Yeah.


Advertisement:
Then Australian Idol came along. It has now been nearly a year since Callea was voted out of the show's final 30, before receiving a wildcard and being allowed to re-enter the competition.
Casey Donovan may have won the Australian Idol title, but Callea will be remembered for providing the defining moment of the series: his incredible rendition of Andrea Bocelli and Celine Dion's The Prayer, which elicited a standing ovation from the audience and judges.

After the show Callea released The Prayer as his debut single, and not even the Idol bean counters could have predicted its success - having held the No. 1 position on the charts for five weeks, The Prayer is officially the highest and fastest-selling Australian single yet.

"I couldn't have been happier - it's great news when you get that phone call," Callea said.

"That it achieved what it achieved was amazing - it was the best Christmas present."

The Prayer was included on Callea's self-titled debut album, which shot straight to the top of the charts, stayed at No. 1 for three weeks and is still in the top 40 (presently No. 37) after 16 weeks.

Callea is touring the country to promote the latest single from the album, Hurts So Bad.

"This one's a bit different to what I've done in the past. It's got a bit more of a Latin feel to it," he said.

"We filmed the video clip in New Zealand and went for a bit of a Cuban feel. It was absolutely freezing cold but you can't tell that on the clip.

"I don't like to stick to one genre, and I think the last three singles (Hurts So Bad, Rain and a cover of Simon and Garfunkel's Bridge Over Troubled Waters) have shown that. I like a little bit of everything . . . that's the way I see myself going."

Callea will return to Hobart for one show only, on August 13.

"The first time I came down there was (for the Idol tour) at the start of the year, and I'm really looking forward to coming back," he said.

"Tina Cousins is on board as a special guest, I've got a full band behind me, and I'm just looking forward to getting out there and singing the songs from the album. (I'll be doing) all the songs from the album, a few songs I did on Idol, plus a few other songs no one has ever heard before."

After being catapulted to superstardom on Australian Idol, series two runner up Anthony Callea has been leading a chaotic, but rewarding lifestyle.
And things don't look like slowing down for the chart-topping recording artist, who has just embarked on a debut national tour.

"This is so exciting" says c Callea, who clocked up 10 gigs in home town Melbourne and nearby Sydney in preparation for the national tour.

"I needed to get out there before I toured on a large scale.
This is the first time I am out on stage on my own for an hour and a half."

He says his fans attending his Gold Coast shows at Seagulls Club next weekend can expect to hear songs he performed on idol and personal favorites he grew up listening to, as well as tracks from his debut, self titled album.

"I love singing the album live - it is so much different to the studio setting." he says.

The former singing teacher says the concerts are about vocals and songs.

"And I have Tina Arena's band behind me. They are great Musos."

Callea will be supported by UK pop diva Tina Cousins who he has admired for many years.

"I love her new song ( Wondeful life) and I like her earlier work." says Callea, who met the songstress as a fan some years ago.
"I remember when I was younger and there was a good Friday appeal, which we were both at." he says.
"She was performing at the event and I was really excited, especially when I had a chance to meet her. Now she is supporting me - I can't believe it."

Cousins' set will include Wonderful life, the first single from her new album, Mastermind.
Callea says its been several months since he visited the Gold Coast to promote his album.
"That was great fun," says Callea, who met fans at Robina Town centre and also swam with dolphins at Sea World.
"I wont have a chance to do anything like that this time around.
Its all go go go. I am doing 27 shows in just over a month."

Though Callea lost the Idol crown to Casey Donovan in the shows finale late last year, he won the hearts and minds of young and old alike, his album far outstripping Donavan's in terms of sales.

In his short recording career, he has spent many weeks dominating the top of the charts and has notched up some staggering achievements.

His debut single The Prayer, not only held the No 1 spot for 5 consecutive weeks, but is the fastest and highest selling Australian single of all time.

Callea says despite having to perform the piece at most of his live performances, the song is still one of his favorites.
"That is the one song I never get sick of singing. I love it. As soon as the first chord is played the fans go absolutely wild." he says.

When his album was released, it was another chart topper, spending 2 weeks at No 1.
The follow up double A-side single Rain/bridge over troubled water, completed Callea's trifector of No 1's.

So how is he enjoying stardom?
"Its a great feeling and its finally sinking in", he says.
"I'm so happy with how things have gone. To start out like this is great.
I"ve got great family and friends and they keep me grounded. You cant let it get to you."

Callea's latest single ,Hurts so bad, is also recieving plenty of airplay. (BULL!!)
"It has a cuban feel," he says.
The performer recalls the "chilly" New Zealand evening he filmed the video clip
"It was done in an alley the director found in Auckland and it was a night shoot that lasted for 12 hours. The poor extras were wearing revealing clothes and it was so cold...freezing. We were all drinking hot chocolate, trying to stay warm, and people were sneezing all the time."

For now, Callea - who is considered a dead certainty to take home a gong from the upcoming ARIA awards - is planning album No 2.
Between touring commitments he is writing for the second album, which he hopes to have out mid next year.

"I don't like sticking to one genre, but I do like my ballads." he says.
"So I have to sit down and think what direction I'm going to go musically."

From the Gold Coast Bulletin

The Interview: Boy Kylie...
Troy Gurr breaks through the PR shield of Camp Callea for a long overdue word with the charming,chipper and cheeky Anthony Callea.

Q:You always seem a little gun-shy in interviews.
A: Yeah, I don't like talking about myself (laughs).It's getting easier. At the start it was hard, esp. being thrown into the deep end coming out of such a high profile show. But nah, it's a bit of fun now

Q: Does it seem like a million years ago you were on idols?
A: Yeah, it does, but it's all coming back to me now with all the auditions starting up again. I was just at my manager's office, and there were a few idol dvds on the shelf, and we got them out and started watching them and reminiscing about the past.

Q:You seem to cop a lot of grief from Mark Holden?
A:It was more Dicko. I really appreciated Mark and Marcia's comments. Being performers themselves, they kinda had an understanding, like we were on the same wavelength. Mark had good advice-well, once you sat back and worked out what he was trying to say.

Q: He needed subtitles sometimes.
A: Yeah, but Dicko was there representing the music business, so we didn't always see eye-to-eye. But at the end of the day, you're not gonna get along with everybody.

Q: Much like in the idol house, I imagine. You seemed a little separate from the group.
A: Inside Idol portrayed things in the way it wanted to portray things to make a story. At the end of the day I'm the type of person who likes to have time to himself, esp.in an environment like that. I need my own space, me in particular, just to get my head around things. It was just the way I handled it.

Q: Are you inherently competitive?
A: I've got high standards for myself, but I'm not really competitive with others. I'm very hard on myself more.

Q: Being competitive comes from having brothers.
A: Does it? Well I'm the oldest in my family and the oldest out of 16 first-cousins, so I never had to compete with anyone to get what I wanted or to get my point across. They'd just listen to me anyway(laughs).

Q: Do you read much of your own press?
A: You read it if it's lying around, but I never made an effort to go out and get it.

Q: So you don't have a scrapbook?
A: Oh, my Mum does! My Mum's got three folders full. She's really good resource for all that. When I was on the show I read the forums. They were pretty funny.

Q: And you've moved out of home? Are you eating well?
A: Trying to. McDonald's is great....

Q: You don't have to talk about McDonald's anymore, they're not still sponsoring you.
A: I love Macca's! And Kentucky Fried Chicken. I just eat the skin and chuck the chicken away.

Q: Your song choices on Idol were a lot more up-tempo than on the album?
A: When you're on a TV show like that, you have to choose things differently than you would for an album. For a TV show, esp this one, big notes won votes. So you needed a really vibey song, and a fun song, and then something with big notes in it, and if it didn't have a big note, you'd just stick one in(laughs). But the week after 'The Prayer', I didn't know what to do. I thought, I just can't replicate another performance like that. So I just went with the flow. I love my ballads and I love my pop stuff, so when I first started recording the album I said I didn't want them all to sound the same, I wanted a mixed bag of stuff, which sorta went against the rules of making an album.

Q: I guess the common element is you.
A: Yeah, and I get bored singing the same thing over and over again, and I like different genres, so I thought stuff it-I'll just make an album with everything on it.

Q: That's right-you're not Dido.
A: (Laughs)Y'know, I grew up being a fan of John Farnham, I grew wanting to be John Farnham. I wanted to be his backing vocalist. That was my dream.

Q: The clip for HSB is terrific, your hair looks great.
A: yeah, it's a bit different.

Q: It makes you look taller.
A: Oh, good, that's what we were going for.

Q: How tall are you really?
A: 167 centimetres (a little under 5'5").

Q: We call you 'Boy Kylie' around here.
A: Kylie and Dannii are actually shorter than me! with heels, they're still shorter than me!

Q: I actually didn't realize you were short until they started talking about it on idol.
A: People blew it out of proportion. They make it sound like I'm three foot tall.

Q: Are you excited about the big tour?
A: Very excited. A bit nervous. But I think it's good to get nervous. I think once you stop getting nervous, you stop enjoying it.

Q: It must be like a job interview every time you go onstage.
A: It's worse. You can fluff your way through a job interview, you can't do that so much on stage in front of a thousand people.

Q: Have you mucked up on stage?
A: Um....yeah(laughs). I forget words, and just make them up, and just keep going. I'm really bad with lyrics. One day I'll remember them, the next day I won't.

Q: And you're touring with Tina Cousins?
A: Yeah, I was really thrilled she agreed to be the special guest.

Q: I'm sure she remembers all her lines.
A: (Laughing). Yeah, that'd be right. You'll come along for Tina, and then leave afterwards so you don't have to watch that little Anthony guy.

ON A WIN AND A PRAYER
Anthony Callea took a punt on success, and it paid off, as Simon Collins reports.

The long lines that stretched out of Australian Idol auditions around the country seemed to be populated by the desperate, the deranged and the delusional. Rather than the queues for food and basic goods common in the former Soviet Union, these people waited for their 15 minutes of fame to be doled out as promised by Comrade Andy Warhol.

Despite appearing like just another good-looking but dull-eyed wannabe during the early stages of the second Australian Idol series, Anthony Callea was neither deranged nor delusional. But he might have been desperate.

The 22 year old Melburnian, who started singing at age three and topped Victoria with a perfect score for solo music performance in his VCE, didn't audition for the first series. But, frustrated by years of music industry apparatchiks ignoring his demo tapes, he had a crack at the second Idol installment.

"It's an opportunity that you have to go for," Callea says from Melbourne duing promotional rounds for his self titled album, which made its debut at No.1 this week. "You can only spend so many years recording and sending demos to people that won't listen to them. I was gigging and doing my demos and sending them off, and I thought, 'I've got to give this one a go and see how it goes.' So that's why I did Idol."

Callea didn't win Idol, but scored second place and a recording contract with Sony BMG. And not without some luck.

He was cut from the contest before the final stages, but recieved a wild card and was given a chance to prove that he wasn't just another good looking but dull eyed wannabe.

Former Idol nasty judge Ian Dickson, described him as the plastic fantastic - a boy missing the other members of his boy band.

The pivotal moment in the second series of Idol, and perhaps in Callea's career, (however long that lasts), came when he sang Andrea Bocceli's big popera number, The Prayer.

"I needed to do something completely different," he explains. "I kept on getting comments from Dicko that I'm lollypop pop, and I'm just standing there going 'No, I'm not.' "You have to show us that you can something different with more depth, they told me.

"I said, 'All right, if you want depth, I'll give you depth'."

The Prayer was more than answered. Callea's rendition was released as a single just in time for Christmas, and has since become one of Australias best selling singles of all time, shifting over 300 000 units.

Sony BMG had trumpeted that The Prayer is the best selling Aussie single of all time. That claim is dubious, especially because it previously said that Idol winner Casey Donovan had sold enough copies for her debut For You to earn a triple platinum accrediation (210 000). While Donovan's album entered the ARIA charts at number 2, around 100 00 copies of For You have been returned by retail chains and department stores.

Despite winning the television contest, Donovan is running a distant second to Callea in the record sales stakes - a repeat of the success series one runner up Shannon Noll had over winner Guy Sebastian.

If the Idol bubble has popped, Callea shouldn't worry. his second single the "double A-side" of new song Rain and his cover of Simon and Garfunkel's Bridge Over Troubled Water, was No1 for two weeks. The album, a highly polished collection of smooth radio pop and ballads, knocked Jack Johnson off the top spot this week and has recieved double platinum accreditation.

Because Noll has a strong fanbase in country areas, Callea has supporters that won't forget him as soon as Idol is off the idiot box.

"Yeah, there's a strong fanbase of young girls," he agrees. "The Italian community has just been really supportive. It's funny because I get young kids coming up to me going, 'Hi my names so-and-so and my parents are Italian too'."

The clean cut imagine must work wonders with the Italian mums. "I'm clean cut am I?" Callea laughs.

You dont see yourself as clean cut? "I don't know," he says genuinely taken aback. "I do get some mothers actually coming up to me and saying, 'Now my daughters name is so-and-so, and I'd make a very good mother in law'. Sometimes the mothers are worse than the kids"

Callea is now used to be public property. Along with that has come the gay rumours, the gibes about his diminutive stature and the assumed rivalry with Donovan.

"It's to be expected. You're in the public eye. Peope want to know thing about you, they want to talk about you even if its not true. You just have to laugh it off. Othewise, it plays with your head."

What about the Casey versus Anthony stoush, that was fuelled last month when Donovan's parents claimed Sony BMG had sidelined their daughter in favour of the Idol runnerup? "It's so funny how people make it out that Casey and I are enemies, because we're not. We catch up quite often, we speak on the phone. We're not the only two in the music industry."

Of the prospects for his own alum, Callea admits to being nervous and aware of the fickleness of the music biz. "One minute you could be the flavour of the month, and the next you're not."

He just hopes the public embrace the album the same way they lapped up the singles. There's one person in partiulcar, that he hopes will enjoy it --- Dicko. Callea laughs : "I'm actually sending him a copy today."

ANTHONY CALLEA REALLY HAS BECOME AN AUSTRALIAN IDOL

SURROUNDED by the trendy coffee shops and chic fashion houses of Chapel St, Anthony Callea sits in his management headquarters on a rare break from "doing media".
The former Werribee resident still shakes his head in disbelief about his rapid rise to national fame since coming runner-up in last year's Australian Idol competition.
"It's only been three months but so much has happened," he said.
The 22-year-old's powerful rendition of The Prayer, which became his trademark song during the contest, has gone quadruple-platinum since it was released at Christmas, meaning close to 400,000 copies have been sold.
The big ballad also held the spot as top Australian single on the ARIA charts for five consecutive weeks.
That makes Anthony's first CD the most successful and highest selling Australian single of all time.
"I really have to pinch myself sometimes and say this doesn't feel right."
He's also sung for Danish royals, performed at the Grand Prix and MTV Awards, and now counts among his friends the likes of Olivia Newton John and Delta Goodrem.
Anthony's even good-sportingly slid into a pool of tiramisu on national TV after admitting to comedian Rove McManus that the chocolaty pudding was his favorite dessert.
"I was really nervous before the show, but that really threw me."
Three weeks ago his second CD, the double A-side single Rain and Bridge Over Troubled Water, stormed in to claim the top single spot and hit double platinum sales in one massive swoop.
"I can't describe the feeling of getting a phone call on a Sunday night saying you've debuted at number one again," he said.
This week Anthony releases his first album, a 12-song offering that contains the earlier hits as well as new songs, including two he co-wrote as a teenager.
"I've got my fingers crossed the album will do just as well as the other releases." he said.
Despite the last few months of whirlwind promotions, touring, recording and performing, the singing teacher tries to remain as grounded as possible.
He gets back to his family in Sanctuary Lakes as often as possible - sometimes every few days, sometimes not for a few weeks - but it's mainly just to sleep.
His time is devoted to sustaining the momentum of the Callea craze, which shows no sign of slowing.
And that success sharply contrasts with that of his former Idol rival, Casey Donovan.
The industry word is she'll soon be dumped from her record contract for under-performing.
But Anthony won't hear a bad word about her.
"Casey's happy for what she's achieved and what I've achieved, and there's no hard feelings there at all," he said.
"And at the end of the day, I'm not the only act in the music industry."
But as the Callea juggernaut powers on, it's sometimes hard to remember that.
Anthony will be performing and signing copies of his album at Highpoint Shopping Centre on Thursday, 31 March at 6pm.

Lea, you have been a very busy little vegemite. I just loved reading all those articles. Some great ones there. Pity some people don't take the time to get to know him. What a great and talented guy we have.

Anthony, you were born to shine, just like "l'eterna stella"

^ Got plenty more to add...but I'd like others to put their faves in too.

That goes for the photo section too, guys...if you have a lovely pic of Anthony (and let's face it, what pic isn't!! , post it up for everyone to enjoy :)

The little engine that could from MX newspaper

Over coffee and cigarettes, TROY GURR catches up with Anthony Callea.

Due to a cancelled photo-shoot, Anthony Callea is all dressed up with nowhere to go.

"I would have been in trakkies, otherwise," he says, picking at his salad in St Kilda. "I'm going to Milan next year, and a friend was telling me that everyone walks around looking like models, so you can't go around in your trakkies. I might be in a bit of trouble there."

Meanwhile, things are going swimmingly here. Four ARIA nominations, along with an invitation to perform, a new single, a DVD next month, and he's currently writing material for his all-important follow-up album. He's embarrassed when I ask what's in his CD player at the moment and he admits it's his own stuff.

"I've been concentrating on writing for the next album. It's just good to be back in the studio and experimenting. It's good to know that on the second one I'm going to have a lot more pull over what's going onto the album. It feels better because it's part of you.

He's a busy boy at the moment, between promotions, interviews and in-stores, the latter of which is always full of more drama than you'd expect.

"This one girl came up and she looked at me and she just started bawling. I felt so bad. And I was on Chapel Street having coffee the other day and this girl just started screaming. It's weird, people's reactions."

Then in the next breath he talks excitedly about meeting Olivia Newton-John and Delta Goodrem and Alex Lloyd, and about trying his hardest not to say anything stupid!. He's surprisingly at ease with, and almost oblivious to, his own celebrity. He's self-effacing, rarely reads his own press (though by chance he saw John Donnon's review of his last single, 'Per Sempre', and he's playfully taking potshots at him, admittedly encouraged by me), and he's constantly cracking jokes at his own expense. He's amiable and admits he occasionally still gets nervous before going on stage.

"I did this Channel 9 breakfast the other day for the Grand Final and I've never been that nervous in my entire life - though I did have to sing 'Up There Cazaly' as well. I'm not really the biggest football fan, and when I was practicing it, and I'd get to the line 'Me - I like football', everyone around me would start laughing. So when I sang it on stage all I could think was don't laugh, don't laugh, don't laugh ..."

"My party trick? Um, getting drunk. I'm good at that. Otherwise I'm pretty useless."

Despite little downtime, he's managed to catch snippets of this season's Idol, though he admits he lost interest after his personal favourite, Natalie, was turfed a few week's back.

"They know what it's all about now," he says of the new crop. "Watching it, you can see which ones are playing the game. But at the end of that day I think you get caught out doing that."

I remind him that the last time we chatted he wasn't eating much other than the McDonald's and the skin off KFC. Has his diet improved?

"I am eating a lot better. I'm on the vitamins and the olive tablets and something called Mega Men," even he starts laughing after that comes out of his mouth. "It's not helping with my height or anything. But I've finally got a gym membership, doing a lot cardio, building up the shoulders."

I smile at him. How's that going?
"Not very good," he laughs.

He's not far from touring again, and Tina Cousins is again coming along for the ride. He's relieved that the behind-the-scenes footage on the DVD doesn't show what happened after he and Tina went out after their gig in regional Queensland.

"Tina Cousins is not a good influence. There we are in Bundaberg - Bundaberg," he repeats for emphasis. "And she goes 'let's do karaoke,' and I'm like 'um, let's get a few more wines into me.' So we get up and the music starts and it's 'Endless Love'. We had all these drunks in front of us yelling 'Get off'. Tina can slip into a venue and no-one knows who she is, but there's not many short ass wogs out there singing."

Ferrari Gala Dinner
Australian Grand Prix 2006
Friday 31st March
Atlantic South Wharf
Shed 7, South Wharf Road, Melbourne
7.30pm for 8pm Start

Special guest performance on the night by Anthony Callea.

http://www.sidsandkids.org/vic/ferrari_ball2006.html

Anthony Callea

http://www.sidsandkids.org/vic/AnthonyCallea.html

Anthony is very excited to be a part of the 2006 Ferrari Gala Dinner, supporting SIDS and Kids Victoria. Anthony will sing his award winning song ‘The Prayer’, along with other hit titles from his award winning album.

Two years ago, Anthony Callea was a twenty-year old singing teacher in Melbourne. He held private classes for some 27 young students by day… and worked as a professional singer at Melbourne’s Crown Casino by night. In fact, he had been earning a living as a professional musician from the age of 17.

Anthony started singing tuition at the age of 5. And, it proved to be the right move… as a child you may have heard his voice on TV for commercials like ‘Milky Way’ and the ‘Uno’ card game.

By the end of his school days, and thirteen years of private tuition later, he topped the state with a perfect score in the Victorian equivalent of the HSC for Music solo performance.

In 2004 he, like thousands of young Australians around the nation (50,000 in fact) auditioned for the new series of Australian Idol. But his joy of reaching the final 30 turned to disappointment when he was voted out.

It was no surprise when this obvious talent was soon returned to the competition as a “wild card entrant”. But what was amazing was his fight to the end … down to the very line alongside Casey Donovan.

His extraordinarily precise and emotive performance of Andrea Bocelli’s “The Prayer” shot straight to number one … where it remained for an amazing 5 weeks.
“The Prayer” is officially the fastest selling Australian single of all time, and the ARIA Award winning, highest selling Australian single ever!

He has proved he is more than an “Idol” and followed his debut single with another number one single, a number one Album, two Top 10 singles, a top 10 DVD, and an extensive national tour.

An in demand artist, Anthony has been hand-picked to sing the national anthem at the Melbourne Grand Prix, to sing for Pavarotti, and perform for Prince Frederik and Princess Mary of Denmark. He was even asked by Disney to record a song on the soundtrack for the new animation Bambi 2.

At only 23, he is one of Australia’s premier voices and most awarded singers:

2005 ARIA Awards:
- Highest Selling Single Of The Year (The Prayer);
- #1 Single of 2005 - Australian End Of Year Chart;
- Three ARIA #1 Awards 2005 (The Prayer/Rain/Bridge Over Troubled Water/Anthony Callea - the album)

Channel V Artist of the Year 2005

Pop Republic Male Artist of the Year 2005

Variety Heart Young Entertainer of the Year Award 2005

MO Award Best Contemporary Performer – Rock 2005

Performed at Commonwealth Day Service in presence of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Anthony is currently working on his highly-anticipated second album. Having collaborated with some of the best writers and producers in Australia, the UK and Europe, it promises to be another hit for this singing sensation.