news articles 5 april 2005

[Inside Australian Idol]

Murmurs . . .
April 5, 2005

SONY BMG swear they're not throwing their weight behind Idol runner-up Anthony Callea rather than winner Casey Donovan, but you couldn't really blame them if that was the case – Callea's chart domination seems unstoppable. His first two singles both debuted at No. 1 and held the spot for weeks on end and this week his album debuted in the top spot.

He's even managed to beat Donovan on the live front, having his first Sydney show scheduled at the much classier Star City Showroom (as opposed to Donovan's Revesby Workers Club).


www.dailytelegraph.news.com.au/story.jsp?sectionid=1266&storyid=2913728

[Inside Australian Idol]

Turner to beat it out at Eastbank
April 5 2005
Shepparton News

Australia's favourite beatbox boy Joel Turner will be drumming up a storm in Shepparton this Thursday.

Hundreds of beatbox fans are expected to flock to the Eastbank Centre to watch Joel, who was discovered on Australian Idol.

He did not make the judges' cut in the first auditions of the popular program, but when it came to the unforgettables show he was a firm favourite.

Joel Turner and the Modern Day Poets have already produced two hit singles, one of which, These Kids, reached number one on the Aria charts and was certified double platinum.

The band's self-titled album has also been certified gold.

Shepparton's Yahoobar and The News have drawn five double passes to give away to the concert and will be contacting the winners today.


news.mcmedia.com.au/story.asp?TakeNo=200504054924987

[Inside Australian Idol]

Shannon's off road
April 05, 2005
From: AAP


No drive ... singing sensation Shannon Noll won't be spending time behind the wheel fot a while.


AUSTRALIAN Idol star Shannon Noll has been fined $1000 and disqualified from driving for nine months for drink driving.

Noll, who lives in Sydney, was visiting his hometown of Condobolin last December when he was stopped by police for a defective headlight after leaving the Condobolin Hotel.

A random breath test found he had a blood alcohol reading of 0.110 – more than twice the legal limit.

Noll was in Condobolin Local Court today accompanied by his brother Adam Noll and cousin Nathan Swadling.

He had pleaded guilty to a mid-range drink-driving offence, and the court was previously told that when Noll was stopped by police and asked to submit to a random breath test he replied: "What's the point mate? I'm over."

His solicitor Peter Martin told the court Noll had jumped into the car to get away from a crowd of people wanting to follow him from the hotel.

Police facts previously tendered to the court said Noll and three male friends left the hotel shortly after midnight and the singer jumped into the driver's seat of a blue Ford Falcon ute.

One friend sat in the passenger seat and the other two men jumped into the tray.

Mr Martin said Noll, runner-up in the first series of Australian Idol, had shown "genuine remorse" and was "prepared to accept the disqualification".

Magistrate Howard Hamilton accepted Noll's guilty plea but said his explanation for getting into the car was inadequate.

He fined Noll $1000 and banned him from driving for nine months.

Noll, who has not driven since the December 19 incident, will be able to drive again from September 18.


entertainment.news.com.au/story/0,10221,12761266-7484,00.html

[Inside Australian Idol]

Shannon Noll Grounded
by Paul Cashmere
5 April 2005

Shannon Noll will spend the next 9 months catching cabs and using public transport. He has lost his license after being caught DUI last year.

Noll appeared in Condobolin Local Court this morning accompanied by his brother and cousin.

Last December, he blew 0.11, twice the legal limit.

Noll's lawyer pleaded that he singer was driving to escape a rowdy crowd at a local pub but the judge did not accept the excuse as a reason to drive drunk.

The singer did however plead guilty and that is exactly how the court ruled.

He was also fined $1000.

As he has not driven since his arrest, Noll will once again be free to drive in September.


www.undercover.com.au/news/2005/apr05/20050405_shannonnoll.html

[Inside Australian Idol]

Anthony Callea's Debut Album Seals His Third No 1 Smash!

SYDNEY, Australia (SONY BMG Ausdtralia) - Anthony Callea's self-titled debut album has shot into the No 1 spot on the national ARIA chart today, making for the vocal powerhouse's third consecutive chart-topping release! "Having a No 1 album is something I'm sure will take a while to sink in."

"Having a No 1 album is something I'm sure will take a while to sink in. Its great to know that so many people enjoy my music. Thanks so much to everyone who has supported me, especially over the past six months," Anthony said on hearing the news last night.

Things just keep getting better for this remarkable 22-year-old. First came his debut single, 'The Prayer', which held the No 1 position for five consecutive weeks and is officially Australia's highest-selling single by an Australian artist. Anthony's second single, the double A-side single 'Rain/Bridge Over Troubled Water' held the No 1 spot on the ARIA chart for two weeks running.

Denis Handlin, Chairman and CEO of Sony BMG said today, "It is a rare feat for any artist's first three releases to go to No 1. We are extremely proud of Anthony's achievements and this is only the beginning."

Recorded over two months, Anthony's debut album is a stunning testament to his undeniable talent, and range and versatility as an artist. Not many other performers could travel so seamlessly from a cover of Andrea Bocelli's 'The Prayer' to the classic track, 'Bridge Over Troubled Water', to 'Rain', one of the hottest radio pop songs in the country.

So what's next? Anthony is now heading off on a series of show dates before expanding to a national tour, with more dates still to be announced for July/August this year. Fans in Sydney and Melbourne will be the first to experience the Callea magic live in concert, with tickets to shows in the two cities going on sale today via usual outlets - don't miss him!


top40-charts.com/news.php?nid=14405