I was late getting online to hear the interview and when I did start listening Only The Lonely was just finishing. The host welcomed Damien and gave a rundown on his achievements ie Idol and mentioned the perfect score on Dancing With the Stars last Sunday night.
Damien was asked when he started singing Roy songs. Damien said he was about 17 or 18.
Damien mentioned that he had sung 'Crying' on Idol and had
such a fantastic reaction to it and Barbara Orbison contacted him.
Damien mentioned that a neighbour Matt O'Shea used to sing 'It's Over' and he didn't sound a all like Matt himself and a few years later he heard the original. His Aunty Eileen used to always sing 'In Dreams' also. Damien said it is a bizarre song, the structure is strange.
It was mentioned that 'In Dreams' and 'It's Over' was on the album of 14 songs.
The host them mentioned the Silver Spade room at Kings Cross in 1968. His Dad went and saw Roy there and he was 2 feet away from him.
Damien said that would have been a good concert and that Roy was always silent on stage, no sounds - mesmerizing shows.
Damien then sang 'You've Got It' live. The host then commented on it being unplugged.
The host mentioned that this was a 'country' program and Roy with the country influence. Damien said he often branched out into other areas - rock, opera. He wasn't in a box.
Mentioned again about Barbara Orbison getting in touch during Idol and they have stayed in touch. Damien rang her last year to mention the album. She wanted to be involved. Damien mentioned that not only is Barbara Roys widow but she is in charge of Orbison music.
Damien was asked where he recorded the album and he said Nashville (David Hoff), LA (Damon Elliott) and Australia with 2 producers. He said he did a lot of travelling.
Damien was asked if this project can go into the States. Damien replied that the feedback from the States had been good and it will probably get released there.
Damien then sang 'Crying' live.
Host - wow! Listening to that fabulous voice. Very privileged.
Host mentioned the beginning that Roy had on 'Working For the Man'. The big note at the start and waits............your version is different.
Damien replied that he had tried to do it but it wasn't working. The band jammed a bit to get what they have now.
Dancing With the Stars was mentioned and that now Damien is a favourite.
Damien said that he didn't think he would last this long. He did some Irish dancing as a young boy.
He spoke to Eileen about it and they decided let's go for it.
Learning the dances is hard but he has a good teacher.
The judges are hard. The week before he got annihilated and this week he got 10, 10, 10.
He was asked how demanding and time consuming the show was.
Damien said it was very time consuming and his wife had just had a baby girl.
How do partners survive? My wife is doing everything. My wife is strong in the background.
Host said Adam Brand is a country guy and he won it a couple of years ago.
Host then wished Damien good luck for the rest of the competition. Damien said that there were 3 weeks left.
The conversation then went back to the album and Blue Bayou with the McClymonts. Damien knew that he wanted them and they were available. He said that they are lovely girls. He said that if they are not touring they are in America. Damien said it needed a spark.
The interview concluded with playing the recorded version of Blue Bayou.
This was all written in longhand as the interview was happening, so there could be some mistakes as to who said various things. I feel that it is accurate though. Well greater than 90%. It was difficult trying to get it all down.
but 2 live songs were terrific 
but 2 live songs were terrific 
....hehe I was writing on little post-its 
