Village Voice - "...on the verge of the big time"
Nov 25, 2006 8:04:17 GMT 10
Post by winterlong on Nov 25, 2006 8:04:17 GMT 10
REad the full article here!
Damien Leith is on the verge of the big time
Source: Inner West Courier Author: Joseph Sumegi
Posted: Tue 21 Nov, 2006
Damien Leith's sister Aine
Photo by Alan Place
Stanmore resident Damien Leith is only one step away from being the next Australian Idol winner, with the show’s grand finale taking place at the Opera House this Sunday.
But in order to be crowned Australian Idol champion, Leith must gain more votes then 17-year-old Jessica Mauboy from the Northern Territory.
No matter the outcome though, Leith said he was just happy to be part of the competition, after initially deciding he was not going to enter.
"My own pride meant I didn’t want to get shot down by the judges," he said.
"But then Eileen [Leith’s wife] and myself were out with some friends having a couple of drinks and they all just convinced me to enter.
"I always think back to being at that bar because they worked me over and convinced me."
Leith’s Idol journey has shone with many high points, including four "touchdowns" from Australian Idol judge Mark Holden.
However, his one low point came on the disco-themed night, with his version of "Celebration" by Kool and the Gang attracting criticism from all the Idol judges.
After surviving the public’s vote on that performance, Leith’s mother Angela and sister Aine decided to fly to Sydney from Ireland to ensure they saw him perform on the Idol stage.
Leith bounced back with a number of strong performances, including Roy Orbison’s "Crying", which received praise of the highest order when the Orbison family requested a copy of Leith’s rendition.
Leith said finding out about the family’s interest was a buzz.
"That’s just mad, isn’t it?" he said.
"That’s was just something really unexpected.
"I’ve always liked the song but I’ve never really sung it, so to get that sort of response was just a shock."
While overall a positive experience, Leith said the hardest part of the competition was the lack of time he had to devote to his family.
"In the past three weeks I’ve seen very little of my family," he said.
"I was looking at a picture of Jarvis [Leith’s one year-old son] a bit earlier on and I was just thinking it feels like it’s been quite a while since I’ve spent some quality time with my family.’’
The Australian Idol grand finale will air on Network 10 on Sunday at 7.30 pm.
Damien Leith is on the verge of the big time
Source: Inner West Courier Author: Joseph Sumegi
Posted: Tue 21 Nov, 2006
Damien Leith's sister Aine
Photo by Alan Place
Stanmore resident Damien Leith is only one step away from being the next Australian Idol winner, with the show’s grand finale taking place at the Opera House this Sunday.
But in order to be crowned Australian Idol champion, Leith must gain more votes then 17-year-old Jessica Mauboy from the Northern Territory.
No matter the outcome though, Leith said he was just happy to be part of the competition, after initially deciding he was not going to enter.
"My own pride meant I didn’t want to get shot down by the judges," he said.
"But then Eileen [Leith’s wife] and myself were out with some friends having a couple of drinks and they all just convinced me to enter.
"I always think back to being at that bar because they worked me over and convinced me."
Leith’s Idol journey has shone with many high points, including four "touchdowns" from Australian Idol judge Mark Holden.
However, his one low point came on the disco-themed night, with his version of "Celebration" by Kool and the Gang attracting criticism from all the Idol judges.
After surviving the public’s vote on that performance, Leith’s mother Angela and sister Aine decided to fly to Sydney from Ireland to ensure they saw him perform on the Idol stage.
Leith bounced back with a number of strong performances, including Roy Orbison’s "Crying", which received praise of the highest order when the Orbison family requested a copy of Leith’s rendition.
Leith said finding out about the family’s interest was a buzz.
"That’s just mad, isn’t it?" he said.
"That’s was just something really unexpected.
"I’ve always liked the song but I’ve never really sung it, so to get that sort of response was just a shock."
While overall a positive experience, Leith said the hardest part of the competition was the lack of time he had to devote to his family.
"In the past three weeks I’ve seen very little of my family," he said.
"I was looking at a picture of Jarvis [Leith’s one year-old son] a bit earlier on and I was just thinking it feels like it’s been quite a while since I’ve spent some quality time with my family.’’
The Australian Idol grand finale will air on Network 10 on Sunday at 7.30 pm.
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