When Casey Barnes was juggling a job, playing gigs and song writing, it was his parents that suggested he give music his full attention. "That’s probably the best advice they’ve ever given me," recalls 30-year-old Casey. "That was about seven years ago and I’ve just gone 100 percent music. I’ve probably taken gigs in places that most people probably wouldn’t, just to get by."

Seeing Wes Carr, another musician who did his time on the pub circuit, win Idol last year inspired Casey to have another crack at auditioning. "I was brought up in a family where you’ve got to work hard, you don’t give up," explains Casey. "It’s fitting that I’ve had to go through wildcard and haven’t had a breeze run. I’m used to having to fight for stuff."

Growing up in Tasmania with "very musical" parents, Casey taught himself to play guitar and drums, and benefited from having an encouraging music teacher at school. When Casey asked a regular performer at the local pub how he got into gigging, Casey found himself on stage performing minutes later and never looked back.

"I’m done doing the pubs,” says Casey, who lives on the Gold Coast with his wife Michelle and daughter Charli. “I want to do gigs where you’re playing to an audience that is sitting there because they want to come listen to you playing - not because they’re watching the footy or betting at the TAB. I just want to write music and have people enjoy it, and if I can do that and support my family at the same time, that would be great."

As for his family, Casey knows his 13-month-old daughter is a firm fan. "My wife said the other night when I was on TV she just stopped, crawled over, pulled herself up and stayed glued to the TV the whole time," laughs Casey. "She’s just the best thing, such a beautiful little girl and she likes my music too, which is great!"