SUNDAY WORLD (Ireland) 22/7/12
Jul 23, 2012 20:50:34 GMT 10
Post by thebraff (Braffy) on Jul 23, 2012 20:50:34 GMT 10
DAMIEN’S A WONDER DOWN UNDER
www.sundayworld.com/entertainment/music.php?preview=12205#.UA0mWol37Mk.twitter
IRISHMAN Damien Leith has established himself as a major star 'Down Under' since winning Australian Idol in 2006. Since then, the Kildare singer's credits have included Best Male Artist at the MTV Australia Video Music Awards.
Leith led the invasion of Oz by Irish personalities that include Brian McFadden and Ronan Keating - and he's one of our most popular exports. Damien performed the song, 22 Steps, on TV soap Neighbours. And last year Leith finished in third place on Dancing With The Stars.
"That is a funny one because everyone who knows me knows that I'm a terrible dancer," Damien laughs.
"But I'm just one of those people who will try anything."
Damien had failed to hit the big time in Ireland with his family band, Leaf. A qualified chemist, his luck changed as a music artist when he emigrated to Sydney with his Australian-born wife, Eileen.
"It was at a time when I was getting very close to thinking that maybe this dream was a little bit out of reach," he says.
Now, with five multi-platinum albums under his belt, Leith is living the dream recording music that he loves. He has a huge following in Oz, where one loyal gang frequently fly across the country to see him perform.
Last year, Leith's album of Roy Orbison songs reached number two in the Australian charts. It was produced by Orbison's widow, Barbara, who sadly died at the end of last year.
"The Roy album hadn't been done before and having Barbara Orbison involved added a lot of weight to it," he says.
Leith's latest album, Now & Then, features a track called Beautiful, which has been optioned by Estee Lauder for use in their commercials. Success hasn't changed him as a person.
"Australian Idol came around at the right time," he says. "Being a bit older and having struggled for a little while has helped me to keep a level head."
Great find, thanks Braffy 
Damienites rule 
