Brandi Carlile in Perth

Rodney_Brandi.jpgIt’s hard to believe that the young lady who joined me in the studio this morning could have such a big voice.

Brandi Carlile has a big, big voice and it was a pleasure to talk to her today during my morning radio programme on 98.5 Sonshine FM.

If you’re not familiar with her music you owe it to yourself to check out the video clip for her song, The Story.

Brandi is a gifted singer/songwriter who grew up learning to make her own entertainment, camping and hiking in the nearby woods and teaching herself to sing. She grew up listening to the classic country music favourites of her parents, making her stage debut at the age of eight after she was taken to a local country radio show by her mother.

At 17, Brandi picked up the guitar, and began playing anywhere she could get a gig. While playing clubs, she encountered a band called the Fighting Machinists, featuring twin brothers Tim Hanseroth on guitar and Phil Hanseroth. She became an instant fan and when the group broke up, she persuaded the Hanseroth twins to form a group with her. They’ve been together ever since.

In 2005 Brandi Carlile was signed to Columbia Records, releasing a self-titled album later that same year. The album earned great reviews, and she was named one of 2005’s “Artists to Watch” by Rolling Stone. In 2006 she began work on her second Columbia album, produced by T-Bone Burnett. Titled The Story, the album was released in April last year.

Her music was showcased to a wider audience when Grey’s Anatomy used three of her songs: “Tragedy,” “What Can I Say,” and “Throw It All Away”.

In April 2007, Grey’s Anatomy debuted her single, The Story.

Brandi worked with Reverb, a non-profit environmental organization, during her 2007 tour.

Brandi Carlile is in Perth, Western Australia, for a concert, supporting Maroon 5.

If you’d like to hear our chat just click play on the audio player at the bottom of this post.

(Bio info thanks to Billboard and Wikipedia.) 



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John James in Perth

JohnJames.bmpThe Newsboys began their life in Queensland, Australia, back in the early eighties.

Since then they’ve sold millions of albums, been nominated for several Grammies, taken home a swag of Dove awards as well as being recognised through several other industry awards. They’ve also played to sell out arena shows of up to 200 000 people in the U.S. and Europe.

While virtually unknown in their home land, they’ve consistently been up there with the top earners amongst Australian performers, outselling most of our other home-grown talent.

Their original lead singer, John James, left the band and show business in 1997. These days he visits schools and speaks to young people about the trappings of success and living a life of integrity.

John James joined me in the studio today as part of my morning radio programme at 98.5 Sonshine FM.

John has an amazing story to tell of The Newsboys meteoric rise to fame and the toll it took on his life and his marriage. He left the band after becoming addicted to cocaine and battling depression and alcohol abuse.

Today John is very much a changed man. His relationship with his wife and children is restored and he spends his days telling young people about the turn around in his life.

You can hear the interview by clicking play on the audio player at the bottom of this post.



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David Campbell

DavidCampbell.jpgHe’s been described by music critics as the best young crooner on Earth. His album The Swing Sessions was his best selling album ever and now The Swing Sessions 2 is following suit with amazing sales taking the album to double platinum. It seems that audiences can’t get enough of David Campbell.

Last night he put in a very energetic performance with Chloe Maxwell on Channel 7’s It Takes Two but this morning he joined me on the Morning Programme at 98.5 Sonshine FM.

David Campbell is a guy who always looks like he’s enjoying his work and it’s always great to catch up with him.

He’ll be performing a couple of concerts in Perth at the Regal Theatre on the 12th and 13th of March as part of his Australian tour. I’m sure that he’ll be playing to packed houses of adoring fans.

Listen to what David has to say about his albums, his time on It Takes Two and his upcoming tour by clicking play on the audio player at the bottom of this post.



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In the presence of greatness

glencsmpbell.jpgA 71 year old shouldn’t be able to do that.

I took my 11 year old daughter Emily to see Glen Campbell performing with the West Australian Symphony Orchestra (WASO) last night at the Burswood Theatre. The guy is absolutely amazing.

I’ve never really been a big Glen Campbell fan but many of his songs have helped fill out the soundtrack of my life. I was asked by WASO if I’d like the opportunity to interview Glen’s daughter Debby on 98five Sonshine FM just before Christmas. Debby travels and sings with her dad on some of his tours.

I enjoyed chatting to Debby (You can hear the interview by using the audio player at the bottom of this post.) and when I was asked if I’d like to go to the show I was more than happy to accept.

Having WASO involved always meant that it would be a spectacular show but it was even more impressive than I could have hoped.

Glen Campbell took to the stage and opened with Gentle On My Mind then Galveston and then continued to roll out hit after hit. His voice was in fine form but his guitar playing is extraordinary. Seeing him play the William Tell Overture on his 12 string electric guitar was breath taking. When he perched the guitar on top of his head and continued playing at lightning speed I just thought to myself that a guy of his age really shouldn’t be able to do that. The guy is 71 years of age but apparently no one has told his fingers that.

When Debby was introduced I was ready for a change of pace and possibly some good vocals. She blew me away. She has a magnificent voice and it amazes me that she isn’t recording and performing full time. As well as doing a few songs on her own she joined her father for a number of duets. Brilliant.

The song I was really wanting to hear was the first one after intermission. As soon as the orchestra started playing I knew that Witcheta Lineman was on the way. It’s a song I love and the performance didn’t dissapoint.

Towards the end of the evening Glen Campbell walked on with some bagpipes which he says are the most temperamental instrument he’s ever tried to master. He used the bagpipes to great effect during a moving rendition of Amazing Grace.

The evening was completed with a fantastic version of McArthur Park. It’s an incredible piece of music and the orchestra really got the opportunity to show just how good they are by performing faultlessly.

Oh … and about me saying that I’ve never really been a big Glen Campbell fan … I sure am now. I’ll be grabbing a greatest hits CD as soon as I can.



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It Takes Who?

Channel 7’s It Takes Two is set to hit our screens again soon with Grant Denyer returning as the host and the 2008 line up has just been announced.

The programme pairs professional singers with celebrities in yet another vote ’em off television show. The singers mentor the celebrities, helping them to realise their dreams of becoming rock stars. Each week the couples sing duets and then lets the audience vote via SMS to decide who’ll return the following week.

I will admit to have spent a bit of time in front of the telly when the show’s been on in past years but I’m wondering whether the concept should now be put out to pasture.

Maybe I’m just not part of the target audience but when I read through the list of contestants this year I was left scratching my head wondering who these people are.

Paul O’Brien – Home and Away actor
Chloe Maxwell – Presenter/ mum
Scott Draper – Professional golfer/ tennis player
Virginia Gay – All Saints actor
Julia Morris – Actor/presenter/writer
John Mangos – Sky News anchor
Sara Groen – Channel Seven weather presenter
Mark Wilson – Dancing with the Stars judge
Candice Falzon – Ironwoman
Russell Robertson – AFL football player

OK … I’ll admit I do know a few of those names but there’s not really anyone there who would have me glued to the screen over several weeks.

As for the mentors, most are returning from last year with a few new names.

Rachael Beck – Star of stage and screen
David Hobson – Opera singer
Jade MacRae – Pop princess
Wendy Matthews – Australian singing legend
Kate Ceberano – Multi award winning singer
Anthony Callea – Australia’s record breaking pop star
David Campbell – Swing sensation
Ian Moss – Australian rock icon
Ricki-Lee Coulter – Pop superstar
Adam Harvey – Country singer

Of course it’s just possible that I’ll take a quick look at the first episode and get hooked anyway.



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