James Johnston - Australian Idol 2009

On Sunday he ran out of ways on HOW TO SAVE A LIFE as he fell from Idol contention like DROPS OF JUPITER.
His song choice got MORE THAN WORDS from the judges but WHO KNEW that Australia would take MERCY on him, keeping him in till the Top 3.
It was probably because he gave them a FEVER and they felt THE POWER OF LOVE as we watched him LEARN TO FLY.
But now all we can do is say THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES and assure him he won’t have to USE SOMEBODY because with his talent YOU’LL NEVER WALK ALONE
Please HOLD THE LINE and lock up your DAUGHTERS.... before they succumb to a CRAZY LITTLE THING CALLED LOVE and find out THIS IS HOW A HEART BREAKS.
Hello James Johnston.

Throughout the series the judges constantly discussed James' youth and song selection telling him he needed to choose songs that fitted his age. However if you close your eyes and listen to him sing, the only thing that grabs your attention is the quality of his voice...not his age.

You be the judge:


Click here to listen to the interview.

For the latest Idol news, please visit http://www.australianidol.com.au/

Nathan Brake - Australian Idol 2009

On Sunday he has been the MUSIC OF THE NIGHT in the MAD WORLD of Australian Idol unveiling one THRILLER after another like a BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY. His performances affected us all in different ways .....some would STOP AND STARE, others turned RED while others reacted JUST LIKE A PILL.
The truth is SINCE U BEEN GONE we’ve been LIVIN ON A PRAYER hoping we’ll get a SECOND CHANCE to see you CLOSER.
So let’s find out whether he’ll say DON’T LET THE SUN GO DOWN ON ME...
As he takes time to talk to the Hump Day Crew since WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS..Good Morning Nathan Brake.

Nathan Brake brought colour and his sense of showmanship to this year's Idol. One moment which stood out during the series is when judge Dicko confronted Nathan telling him that he was quite "camp" back stage and he needed to bring his true self on to the stage. After this Nathan shone brighter and bright each week.

Check out Nathan performing:


Click here to listen to the interview with Nathan Brake.

For the latest Australian Idol news, please visit http://www.australianidol.com.au/

Carl Riseley and all that jazz

A: You’re listening to the SMOOTH OPERATORS known as the Hump Day Crew. NEVER GIVE UP as WE’VE ONLY JUST BEGUN our LIDO SHUFFLE but it’s time to COME AWAY WITH ME for some REMINISCING and PURE IMAGINATION.

G: Whether you are in the ARMS OF A WOMAN, WALTZING MATILDA

A: or reading THE LETTER from THIS GUY’S IN LOVE WITH YOU knowing TIME AFTER TIME you want him to JUST KISS ME, TENDERLY.

G: With all this talk about going HOME with THE GIRL FROM IPANEMA named MAGNOLIA…

A: Her name is MAGNOLIA? THAT’S ALL?

G: Yes! MY FUNNY VALENTINE ‘S name is MAGNOLIA. IT’S NOT UNUSUAL. You are just being a JEALOUS GUY because you CAN’T BUY ME LOVE! ……Anyway in THE STILLEST HOUR we listened to our next guest’s music and I think of WHEN WE FALL IN LOVE because she begs to me “DON’T LET ME BE LONELY TONIGHT”……

A: DOES ANYBODY REALLY KNOW WHAT TIME IT IS? LET’S FALL IN LOVE with Carl Riseley!


He's a cool cat who stayed true to his genre throughout the 2007 season of Australian Idol. His determination paid off as he made it to the top 3 and is now in the process of writing his 3rd album.

Click here to listen to Carl Riseley chat with the Hump Day Crew.

Here is Carl in action:

For the latest on Carl Riseley, please visit his site at http://www.carlriseley.com/

Kim Cooper - Australian Idol 2009

You’re listening to the Hump Day Crew and whether you are WAKING UP IN VEGAS, Paris or Melbourne, it’s time to add to our Idol FAMILY PORTRAIT with an individual who can do more than JUST DANCE.

With a sincere and endearing energy I must admit I nearly left THE MAN I LOVE and flew to Sydney to tell her I WANT YOU TO WANT ME. However soon I would imagine that I would be disappointed…complaining that YOU KEEP ME HANGING ON for the BEST OF YOU..so I’ll settle for 5 minutes of her magic right now. Good Morning to the gorgeous Kim Cooper.

Kim Cooper stood out as a true professional in this season's Idol. She was articulate when interviewed on the show, gave us touching moments of emotion and was honest about her past and family life. This was very refreshing as every other contestant seemed to have had a family life that was all sunshine and lollipops, a life style unfamiliar to some of us.

Click here to listen to the divine Miss Kim Cooper.

Here is Kim Cooper in action on Australian Idol:



For the latest Australian Idol news, please visit http://www.australianidol.com.au/

Scott Newnham - Australian Idol 2009

It’s time for our weekly Idol interview so LET’s GROOVE, RUN IT and COME TOGETHER. Our guest today made many an AMERICAN WOMAN swoon and I am sure he would have been saying ISN’T SHE LOVELY when he got a KISS FROM A ROSE too. SO WHAT you may say? Let’s find out. what he has to say…. Hello Scott Newnham.

Before Idol, no one knew Scott Newnham could sing. He was working as a brick layer and would sing along to Michael Jackson when he was younger, and Guy Sebastian more recently. As Scott's Idol journey began he shocked and impressed the judges, his family and friends and even himself by making it all the way to the Top 12.

Post-Idol he plans to continue singing. Click here to listen to his chat with Adz.

To see the latest Idol news, photos and videos, please visit http://www.australianidol.com.au/

Sabrina Batshon - Australian Idol 2009

She may be small in stature but she's got a big personality and a bigger voice. Sabrina was plunged onto our TV screens, never scared of holding back from letting Australia know who she was.

For 24-year-old Sabrina, being in Australia’s Idol’s Final 12 for 2009 is confirmation of just how far she’s come. “I’ve gone from a girl who couldn’t do anything on her own to being here,” she grins. “It’s amazing!”

In regards to her future, Sabrina has a lot of big plans. “I want to put together an organisation to help people in need. I want to stop sex trafficking, that’s a very naïve thing to say because it’s a very huge problem but it doesn’t stop me. I want to be a voice in a cartoon. I also want to travel…” Sabrina smiles, “And obviously, sing.”

On Sunday Sabrina ended up in Idol's bottom three and then left the show.

Click here to listen to her chat with the Hump Day Crew.

Here's Sabrina on Idol:


For the latest Idol news, please visit http://www.australianidol.com.au/

Hayley, there's something on your lip! Hayley Warner - Australian Idol

Sunday's show was an awkward one on Australian Idol. Casey Barnes was kicked off the show and didn't get to sing his final song after his Dad had come to see him sing from overseas Nathan Brake's sexuality was skirted around with Dicko's feedback. However the cringe-worthy award goes to Hayley Warner who wore lipstick for the first time and managed to get it all over the microphone and unbeknown to her, smudged it around her mouth.

The Hump Day Crew were the first to speak to her after it happened and it's great to see Hayley take it in her stride and laugh it off. Perhaps a make-up sponsorship contract will be up for grabs after the show for Hayley!

Click here to listen to the interview.

For more information on Australian Idol, check out http://www.australianidol.com.au/

Casy Barnes - Australian Idol 2009

When Casey Barnes was juggling a job, playing gigs and song writing, it was his parents that suggested he give music his full attention. "That’s probably the best advice they’ve ever given me," recalls 30-year-old Casey.

As Casey's Idol journey finished he chats to the Hump Day Crew about the show and his future plans to have an album out by February and supporting Rob Thomas in his upcoming tour.

Click here to listen to the interview.

Here's Casey performing on Idol:


Please visit http://www.caseybarnes.com.au/ to stay up to date with Casey's career.

Australian Idol's Ashleigh Toole

She's young, she's driven and she's got one BIG voice and in our opinion she left the show too early. Coming from a musical family where she grew up performing with them on the streets of Tamworth during its yearly country music festival and her family has recorded two family albums.

One of the two endearing qualities of Ashleigh was how grateful she was for the experience of the show and how ambitious she is.

This is one individual we may not have heard the last of.

Check out Ashleigh on stage:


Click here to listen the Ashleigh Toole interview.

For the latest Idol news, please visit http://www.australianidol.com.au/

Idol's New Judge Jay Dee Springbett

Born in the north of England, the son of a Vicar and the only non-musician in a very musical family, Jay Dee had a lot to prove when he made his way down to London. Touring Europe as a Drum & Bass MC in his late teens, he remained within the smoky clubs and pubs of the UK capital by managing bands throughout his early twenties.

Partnering up with management guru Jonathan Shalit (Charlotte Church, Jamelia), the world of British pop opened its doors to Jay Dee. Before long, he was at the helm of huge UK acts such as Big Brovaz, Artful Dodger, and Jamelia, enjoying chart and critical success across the board. Needless to say this time enabled Jay Dee to create a black book filled with international songwriter and producer contacts and connections.

In 2004, Jay Dee moved to Australia after a fateful meeting with Sony Music CEO Denis Handlin. Now Head of A&R Sony Music, he has signed and worked with some of the biggest names in Australian music including Rogue Traders, Jessica Mauboy, Karnivool, and Cassie Davis to name a few.

His next adventure is as Australian Idol's newest judge after a certain somebody got more truth than they bargained for with a lie detector.

So who is this mystery man we know little about?

Click here to listen to the Hump Day Crew have a bit of a poke and a prod of Jay Dee.

For the latest Idol news please visit http://www.australianidol.com.au/

Holly Weinert

Although Holly Weinert had been performing for many years, she slammed on to the Australian stage as part of Australian Idol 2007. She may not have made any friends with the judges but she definitely appealed to an alternative fan base after performing her version of the Gossip's Standing In The Way Of Control (see the video below).


Now, post Idol, Holly is working on an album. The exciting thing about this album is it will have a little bit from many genres...just like a compilation CD...but with all the same artist.

Click here to hear one of Holly Weinert's first interviews, talking with The Hump Day Crew.