Stan Walker
Stan Walker |
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Stanley "Stan" Walker (born 23 October, 1990), is an New Zealand born, New Zealand R&B and soul singer, signed to Sony Music Entertainment Australia and was the winner of the seventh season of Australian Idol in 2009. He became the first New Zealander to win Australian Idol [citation needed].
Walker's debut single, "Black Box" was available to download on bandit.fm immediately following his win, on Sunday 22nd of November 2009, and will be available from all retailers from Wednesday, November 25. "Black Box" debuted at #2 on the ARIA Charts, dated the 30th November 2009. His album "Introducing... Stan Walker" will be released on Friday December 11, 2009[1]. His debut album will consist of songs he performed on Australian Idol, such as Prince's Purple Rain, and Jeff Buckley's Hallelujah. It will also include a duet with the original Australian Idol Guy Sebastian. Walker said that he'd also like to collaborate with former Idol contestants such as Jessica Mauboy and Ricki-Lee Coulter.
Early life
Growing up in New Zealand, Walker lived in Tauranga and Hamilton, New Zealand and experienced some troubled and miserable times during his childhood. He credits music and God for steering him in the right direction. "I'm still loud and kooky but I'm not how I was like when I was little," says Stan. "I was always the naughtiest at every school; every school I've been to, I've been suspended. But now I'm a good boy!" The 19-year-old shop assistant, who lives in Coolangatta, Queensland with his family, says he has always been musical but before Idol, has mostly only sung in church. "It lets you be calm and be happy again," explains Stan of his connection to music. As for his bright future, Stan states that that, "I want to live by actions and not by words. I want to be an example for those who have been and who are in the same position that I've been in, back in the past, so I want to live by example. I want to be an ambassador for broken people who come from the dark into the light." Coming from a large family, Stan is also keen to produce one of his own, joking that one of his musical idols will be the lady to help him do so. "Marry Beyonce and have children," laughs Stan of his future plans. "I want to get married; I want to have seven kids because I come from a big family. I wanted ten, but seven is logical.[2]"
2009 Australian Idol
Stan Walker successfully auditioned in the seventh season of Australian Idol, singing "Ordinary People" by John Legend. He progressed through the Idol series establishing a strong fanbase and praise from the judges, who often made reference to his fun and energetic personality and strong voice. He was declared the winner on November 22, where 1.7 million people watched on television nationwide.
Walker has gained recognition from artists such as Joel Madden, Benji Madden, Michael Buble and Pete Wentz, during his time on Australian Idol.[citation needed]
Only a day after taking the crown, Walker stated that he was ready to take the music industry by storm. Stan said that, "I'm ready to make music, and I'm ready to start my career and just give it everything I've got".[citation needed]
2009 Introducing... Stan Walker
Walker's debut album will be released on 11 December 2009. The first single from the album, Black Box, was officially released on 25 November 2009.[3] It debuted at #2 on the ARIA Charts.
Discography
References
- ^ http://www.ozmusicscene.com/tag/introducing-stan-walker
- ^ http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2009/11/05/155111_more-gold-coast-gig-guide.html
- ^ Williams, Patrick (3 December 2009). "Idol Stan Walker's single is No.2". Tweed Daily News. Retrieved 5 December 2009.
External links
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