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Post by Skip on Jun 28, 2004 19:16:03 GMT 10
Australian Idol stars to head concert line-up
Wednesday, 2 June 2004
HIGH profile performers including Australian Idol star Shannon Noll are being lured to appear at Maryborough's third annual Staying Alive benefit concert next month.
Staying Alive has fast grown into a large-scale entertainment charity event, raising awareness and funds for youth suicide prevention organisation Here for Life.
Fellow Australian Idol contestant Courtney Act has confirmed she will perform at Maryborough's YMCA complex on July 18, and Logie winner Patrick Harvey from Neighbours along with MTV hosts Nathan and Yvette will make
special appearances.
Concert producer Ben Louise said he was in discussions with Noll's management.
"The guy is so busy he's bigger than Ben Hur, but they've kept the door open for us," Mr Louise said.
The concert is the brainchild of Maryborough mother Sylvia Berger, who lost her son Rhett to suicide when he was 17 in 2001.
Ms Berger has since been involved in fundraising for Here for Life and remains the driving force behind the organisation of the concert.
"It's such a positive celebration of life on the day," Ms Berger said.
"Kids see young people performing and it gives them hope to follow their dreams.
"My message to young people it that it's okay to ask for help, it's a sign of strength and not a weakness."
On average one young Australian takes his or her life every day and 20 more attempt to.
Mr Louise, said: everyone involved in putting Staying Alive together donated their time.
"Central Victoria has one of the highest rates of youth suicide. This is about keeping our kids alive," he said.
"With the performers we've secured we'll pull a good crowd, easily more than 2000 people like we've had in the past."
Australian Golfer Aaron Baddeley has donated a cap to be auctioned off, and band Naked Heart will also form part of the line-up.
Staying Alive has raised more than $15,000 for suicide prevention programs in the last two years.
"We were just a bunch of amateurs passionate about the cause because of how we've been touched by it, it shows what happens when you've got passion and community," Ms Berger said.
The concert will start at noon and run until 9pm, with a sausage sizzle and the Daylesford Speedway race cars part of the fun.
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Post by Skip on Jun 28, 2004 19:17:30 GMT 10
Finley Idols 2004? Duet Norm Pyle and Peter Scott outside the Finley RSL.
IDOL fever has hit the tiny town of Finley for the second time, with a local version of hit television show Australia Idol.
The hugely popular Finley Idol 2 has seen farmers, teachers, electricians and students in the southern New South Wales town hit the stage in search of local stardom.
For eight weeks more than 70 aspiring popstars have overcome nerves and large crowds at the Finley Returned Soldiers' Club in a bid to qualify for next month's finals.
Some have starred, some have flopped, and others have been forced to visit the bar in search of some dutch courage during happy hour.
A $300 first prize is at stake, with contestants required to finish in the top three places in one of four heats to make the final round.
But there's no SMS voting for your favourite Finley idol.
A panel of three, including professional singer Nikki Goldsworthy, determines the fate of each contestant.
Nursing student Sarah Edwards said she was determined to improve on her third place at last year's inaugural Finley Idol.
She denies nerves were the reason for her bronze medal, instead blaming an equipment blunder.
"They lent the karaoke CDs to the pub and they got scratched," Ms Edwards, 20, said.
"So I got stuck with singing Locomotion by Kylie Minogue . . . I reckon I got ripped off."
This year the Dixie Chicks fan plans to sing the country and western group's song, There's Your Trouble or the Alannah Miles hit Black Velvet in the final.
"I've been practising in the car and the shower," she said.
But the competition's dark horse, which comes in the form of male duet Peter Scott and Norm Pyle, is set to cause an upset.
By their own admission they aren't brilliant, despite a rousing rendition of Love Is In The Air in heat three.
The lads stress that what they lack in class, they make up for in endeavour.
"We'll lubricate at the bar and be primed," Mr Scott said.
Mr Pyle added: "It's purely entertainment. We're looking after beer sales."
Club assistant manager Max Lewis admitted the competition was based on TV's Australian Idol, but said the idea for a local version came after he watched the film Duets, starring Gwyneth Paltrow.
He said he was expecting more than 300 fans for the competition's finale.
"We haven't got a 'Dicko' on the judging panel, but it's just great for the hotel and the local community," Mr Lewis said.
"Obviously it's a promotion for the club, but people treat it as a fun night out and anything else that comes their way is a bonus."
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