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Carl Riseley needs Navy support

Volume 50, No. 17, September 20, 2007





The Navy’s Carl Riseley continues to do well in Australian
Idol. He made it through to the final 11 with a rendition of
Waltzing Matilda. Navy News will go to print before his next
appearance on Sunday September 16, but he is good odds
to make the final 10.

There is no doubt that he’ll be hoping for Navy support as
the competition continues. Those who don’t usually watch
the show might want to start tuning in –
and voting (on merit of course).

Carl Riseley
After studying at Robina State High School, ABMUSN Carl Riseley now finds himself in the Royal Australian Navy Band, where he has been employed for over three years.
In July this year, Carl will be performing with the Royal Australian Navy Band, and in company with some of the best bands from around the world, is participating in the Brunei International Tattoo to mark the 60th birthday celebrations for His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanai Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam.[/size]
[size=9]The band’s performance at the tattoo features the Ceremonial Silver Drums, which were presented to the Royal Australian Navy by the Commonwealth and States of Australia to mark the 50th Anniversary of the proclamation of the title Royal Australian Navy. The set of eight consists of eight side drums, two tenor drums and one bass drum all made from solid Stirling silver and emblazoned with the Royal Cipher, the Commonwealth Coat of Arms and the Royal Australian Navy Badge
Date taken: 29 July 2006)

News


Navy singer makes mark on Australian Idol



10 September 2007

From boat builder to budding singing star. As a boy growing up on Queensland's Gold Coast, Carl Riseley never envisaged himself singing on the national stage, no less in Australian Idol on Network Ten.
The 24-year-old joined the Royal Australian Navy Band in April 2003, taking up a position as a trumpet player.
It soon became apparent his talent extended to vocals and it seems Australian Idol judges Dicko, Kyle, Marcia and Mark agreed.
Carl has been playing the trumpet since he was big enough to hold it. He was taught by his father - this was the beginning of a very colourful musical career.
The jazz and swing enthusiast attributes much of his inspiration to artists such as Harry Connick Junior, Stevie Wonder and Michael Buble. Being a part of Australian Idol has given him the opportunity to elevate his career to great heights after making it through to the top 24 contestants of the competition.
This year's Idol has uncovered yet more hidden talent from all over the country making the competition extremely tough. But Carl's unassuming disposition and stage presence enabled him to reach a large cross section of the audience while also impressing the judges.
Some of Carl's career highlights with the Navy Band include performing in Iraq and the Solomon Islands Tour De Force.
The band performed over Christmas and New Year for the troops in Iraq, providing the servicemen and women with a little reprieve from their surroundings.
Carl's inclusion in Idol will help raise the profile of the Navy and the Australian Defence Force in general, exposing to young people the opportunities that exist within the forces.
The crooner's first attempt at making it through to the top 12 was unsuccessful, but, as Navy News goes to print, Carl has just been chosen as a wildcard re-entry by judge Marcia.
(Carl has since been selected in the final 12)

News


Carl keeps the flag flying



1 November 2007

Australian Idol contestant AB Carl Riseley returned to HMAS Kuttabul recently for Colours, the daily ceremony of raising the Australian White Ensign. He was filmed by the Idol film crew. Photo: AB David McMahon
And then there were four. Not only has Navy singer AB Carl Riseley made the last four of Australian Idol, he finished in the top two in the latest vote.
On Sunday, October 28, Carl sang the Little River Band song Reminiscing, and in spite of the fact that he felt the strain of a chest infection, his performance was praised by all the judges.
They reiterated the point that of all the contestants he was the one who had the clearest idea of the sort of performer he wanted to be.
With teenager Matt Corby he was the other contestant to be spared the trial of being announced in the bottom three on Monday night.
Those familiar with the show will know that being in the bottom three of the public vote count is a nerve-racking experience for all involved - and terminal for one.
Avoiding the bottom three in a field of only five is a very encouraging sign. Also encouraging is the fact that the theme of the next show is Big Band music. For Carl, with his swing credentials, it's a natural fit.
Tune in on Sunday night on Channel Ten to see how he goes - and don't forget to vote! (Yes, the Captain Cook series is showing at the same time on ABC, but you can record it and watch it later.)

News


Carl one step away from Opera House



7 November 2007

And then there were three - AB Carl Riseley's Idol journey continues
Navy singer AB Carl Riseley is only one step away from the Australian Idol final - but he has a big job ahead to make it.
As expected Carl performed strongly on Big Band night last Sunday, but so did contestants Natalie Gauci and Matt Corby.
Natalie in particular was very impressive. She delivered the stand out performances of the night.
The four remaining performers sang two songs each. Carl chose Me and Mrs Jones - a hit for the soul singer Billy Paul in the early 1970s - and Just Kiss Me by Harry Connick Jr.
Me and Mrs Jones has also been covered by Michael Buble. Carl has been strongly influenced by Buble and Connick. Choosing material suited to both meant he had a very strong base to work from - but he was also able to bring his own developing style to the performances.
There was a good contrast between the performances. Me and Mrs Jones was delivered as a slow and soulful ballad with plenty of power on the uplift, while Just Kiss Me was fast, almost frenetic, and featured some confident interplay with the band.
Once again the judges were mostly very positive, with Ian "Dicko" Dickson saying that Carl had emerged unexpectedly for him as the entertainer of the remaining contestants.
The stand out of the night however was Natalie. While a lot of talk had centred on how well Big Band night would suit Carl's swing style, it also turned out that Natalie had plenty of experience with that style of music. She was rewarded for her efforts by topping the national voting count on Monday night. Next came Matt.
As there were only four singers left, the usual bottom three elimination process was exchanged for a bottom two. It was a choice between Carl and Marty Simpson, who had not been suited at all to Big Band music.
Carl prevailed, but he needs to step up another level to make it through to the Opera House final. The good news is that he has consistently stepped up throughout the competition, but he needs to be at his absolute best to come through against Natalie and Matt.
If you haven't watched the show before, now is the time to do so - and vote.
Australian Idol is on Channel Ten on Sunday night at 7.30pm Eastern. The verdict show is on Monday.

News


Carl makes Idol's top five



24 October 2007
Navy singer Able Seaman Carl Riseley has made it to the last five of Australian Idol.
After a slow start Carl has improved each week and is now a genuine contender for the title.
Sunday, October 21, was Judges' Choice night in which the performers sang two songs - one chosen by a judge. The other song was a choice of their own.
Judge Ian "Dicko" Dickinson chose the Tom Jones classic It's not unusual for Carl and Carl himself choseJohn Lennon's Jealous guy.
Carl displayed his growing confidence as a performer by making a deliberate false start with It's not unusual. He parodied his own preferred laid-back swing style for a few bars, before suddenly stopping and saying that it wouldn't work.
Then he launched into the song with gusto and gave a strong performance. He also impressed with his version of Jealous guy.
Early in the competition three of the four Australian Idol judges wanted Carl out and only Marcia Hines supported him.
But on Sunday all the judges were full of praise. Mark Holden gave him one of three "touchdowns" for the night and Kyle Sandilands said he was the stand out performer.
On Monday, after the votes from the public had been tallied, it was confirmed that Carl would be staying in the competition for another week.
Now is the time for Navy to really get behind Carl. If you are not already watching Australian Idol, tune in to Channel Ten on Sunday night - and don't forget to vote!

News


Carl's Idol journey ends



13 November 2007
The Australian Idol journey of AB Carl Riseley has ended, but taking third place is an outstanding effort. As Carl himself said, he never thought he would make it that far.
Carl was eliminated from the contest on Monday night, following his Sunday night performances of one song chosen by himself and one by a member of the public.
Although it was close, Matt Corby and Natalie Gauci gained more votes than Carl and will contest the final at the Sydney Opera House.
There seems little doubt however that Carl has the ability to build a successful singing career.

Honours and Awards


Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM)


LIEUTENANT COMMANDER PHILLIP CHARLES ANDERSON RAN - 14 JUNE 2004
For meritorious service to the Royal Australian Navy and the Navy Band in the field of music.
Australian Active Service Medal

• Lieutenant Commander Phillip Anderson OAM RAN (IRAQ 2003 with Iraq campaign medal)
  
• Lieutenant Paul Cottier (IRAQ 2003)
  
• Lieutenant Michelle Coleman (IRAQ 2003)
  
• Sub Lieutenant Matthew Klohs (IRAQ 2003)
  
• Chief Petty Officer Andrew Stapleton (IRAQ 2003 with Iraq campaign medal)
  
• Petty Officer Daniel Hobson (IRAQ 2003)
  
• Petty Officer Lucas Kennedy (IRAQ 2003)
  
• Petty Officer Camille Smith (IRAQ 2003)
  
• Petty Officer Kara Williams (IRAQ 2003)
  
• Leading Seaman Meredith Aston (ICAT and IRAQ 2003 with Iraq campaign medal)
  
• Leading Seaman Brett Douglas (IRAQ 2003 )
  
• Leading Seaman Aaron Geeves (IRAQ 2003)
  
• Leading Seaman Alistair McCarthy (IRAQ 2003)
  
• Leading Seaman Lachlan MacFie (IRAQ 2003)
  
• Leading Seaman Grant Metcalfe (IRAQ 2003)
  
• Leading Seaman Christopher Palamountain (ICAT and IRAQ 2003 with Iraq campaign medal)
  
• Able Seaman Michael Cairncross (IRAQ 2003 with Iraq campaign medal)
  
• Able Seaman Chris Ellis (IRAQ 2003)
  
• Able Seaman Andrew Hansch (IRAQ 2003)
  
• Able Seaman Sonya Henderson (ICAT and IRAQ 2003 with Iraq campaign medal)
  
• Able Seaman Bruce McIntyre (IRAQ 2003)
  
• Able Seaman Dana Moran (IRAQ 2003 with Iraq campaign medal)
  
• Able Seaman Carl Riseley (IRAQ 2003 with Iraq campaign medal)
  
• Able Seaman Kirstin Paynter (IRAQ 2003 with Iraq campaign medal)
  
• Able Seaman Vladimir Shvetsov (IRAQ 2003)
  
• Able Seaman Nadene Starkie (IRAQ 2003)
  
• Able Seaman Heather Wright (IRAQ 2003)
  

Meritorious Unit Citation


HMAS KANIMBLA
27 NOVEMBER 2003
For sustained outstanding service in warlike operations as the command ship for the multinational Maritime Interception Force Screen Commander during Operation FALCONER.
The following musicians were deployed onboard HMAS KANIMBLA as members of the ship's Flight Deck Team:

• Leading Seaman Christopher Palamountain
  
• Leading Seaman Meredith Susan Reeves
  
• Able Seaman Sonya Jane Henderson
  

Centenary Medal


CHIEF PETTY OFFICER MICHAEL CHARLES VAUGHAN - 1 JANUARY 2000
For service to Navy logistical and musical activities in support of Centenary celebrations.

I just found the following post on Spitvalve forum : anyone heard this before?


Carl has been offered a record deal with Sony, and a series of honda motorcycle ads. Match that Phil! Good luck to the navy band keeping him!
_________________

Idol Carl's happy note
November 13, 2007 10:30pm
AUSTRALIAN Idol swing king Carl Riseley was singing a happy tune yesterday, after revealing he's already been tapped for talks with recording giant, Sony/BMG.

The navy trumpeter told Confidential he was expecting to meet with label executives who had approached him "straight after the verdict'' when he was voted off the starmaker show on Monday night.

While publicists for both Idol and Sony/BMG were keen to play down the secret session, Riseley said he was buoyed by the prospect, after hitting a bum note and missing out on a final two spot.

"(Sony/BMG) have been really supportive and embraced the idea of Australia having its own jazz guy,'' Riseley told Confidential yesterday.

Despite judge Ian "Dicko'' Dickson stating earlier this series that there would only be "one winner, one contract,'' the closeness of the contest has fuelled intense speculation all three finalists - Riseley, Natalie Gauci and Matt Corby - will all be signed to album deals.

TV experts claim Idol's reluctance to confirm other contracts or negotiations is its attempt to keep the shine on the grand final prize.

Riseley, who says he did not expect to make it as far as he did, "definitely felt the love'' for his style of music and entertaining performances.

While back-to-back press requests kept him from meeting Sony/BMG bosses yesterday, as planned, Riseley has a free day today to reschedule.

It is unlikely, however, he will be returning to the high seas anytime soon, with Riseley confirming his leave from the Royal Navy would become permanent if he scored a fulltime music gig.

September 29, 2007 11:00pm

AUSTRALIAN Idol underdog Queenslander Carl Riseley is ready to blow his competition out of the water.The Royal Australian Navy trumpet player, who has become Idol's crooning "swing man", will be performing a Harry Connick Jr number during tonight's acoustic show, and his dad said it will help prove his son is a real contender.
"This weekend he's going to blow them all away with something so out of left field," Philip Riseley said.
"It's going to be so much swing and it's just going to be fantastic."
While Mr Riseley was keeping quiet on exactly what song his son would sing, he said one of Carl's trumpets would make an appearance.
Carl, who grew up on the Gold Coast, has been pegged as the show's underdog after entering the Top 12 as a wild card and getting off to a slightly shaky start.
However, Mr Riseley said the slow start was just a result of nerves.
"He was a bit nervous because he went in there not knowing what to do or what to sing but he's done really well," he said.
"They make it out as if he's struggling the whole way along but Carl hasn't been in the bottom three yet."
While Carl has been likened to Michael Buble for his renditions of the tunes the Canadian sings, Mr Riseley said his son didn't want to be a replica of the big-band singer.
"He's got his own style and he blends more to swing than to the groove of Michael Buble," said the resident of Park Ridge, in Logan City.
"He just wants to bring the swing back to Australia, which is awesome because that's what the country really needs."
With Carl the only Queenslander left in the competition, Mr Riseley is pushing for the Sunshine State to get behind the 24-year-old.
"I'd like him to get to six or seven at least, that would be awesome."

Carl: Matt and I Attract Different Women



14/11/2007 2:00:00 PM.

[url=javascript:void(0);]AUDIO: Carl talks about middle aged women, Tarisai's temper and losing to Matt[/url]
Australian Idol eliminee Carl Riseley says that while he and Matt Corby both attract attention from women when they go out, they are from distinctly different age groups.

Me and Matt would be walking down the street and we would be split up by completely different groups of womenhell have the young teeny boppers screaming and Ill be separated by the more middle aged ladies, said Riseley.

"I'd also get the husbands coming along with the baseball bats and saying my wife doesn't stop talking about you," he laughed.

Riseley also revealed to LIVENEWS.com.au his troubled fellow Idol Tarisai Vushe had unpredictable mood swings.

"She's a very sweet girl but she did have weird, very odd mood changes."
"I just didn't know who she was half the time. I could have a joke with her and then I'd turn around the next minute and shed snap."
She did make it very hard for herself she definitely had a weird character thing going on.

Riseley was eliminated on Monday nights show, leaving fellow contestants Matt Corby and Natalie Gauci to battle it out for the crown of Australian Idol 2007.

The winner of Australian Idol will be decided in a final show shot at The Sydney Opera House on November 25.

Remember at the beginning of this year's Australian Idol finals, Andrew G and James Mathison announced, steely faced, that they had a surprise for the Final 12 - that only one finalist would be signed to Sony BMG this year, the winner?
And all the finalists looked a bit miffed that their chance at Ricki Lee/Anthony Callea/Young Divas/Shannon Noll-esque runner-up success had been dashed upon the rocks of big business?
Now it seems it was just a ruse, with word that Sony BMG are already wording up third-place-getter Carl Riseley in the hope of giving the nu-swing trumpeter a deal.

The navy trumpeter told Confidential he was expecting to meet with label executives who had approached him "straight after the verdict'' when he was voted off the starmaker show on Monday night.
While publicists for both Idol and Sony/BMG were keen to play down the secret session, Riseley said he was buoyed by the prospect, after hitting a bum note and missing out on a final two spot.
"(Sony/BMG) have been really supportive and embraced the idea of Australia having its own jazz guy,'' Riseley told Confidential yesterday.

Australia's former "own jazz guy", James Morrison, was seen furiously voting for Matt and Natalie at his local Telstra dealership.
In any case, it's probably a good thing Carl looks set to be signed, because if his MySpace activity is anything to go by, it looks as though - like Mark Da Costa - this whole business has really hit him hard.
He's gonna BLOW her TRUMPET, and he's TOTALLY JAZZED to do so! Etc, etc.




Australian Idol 2007
Idol Round-Up: Carl Sails Out Of Competition

Trumpeter and (ex?) sailor Carl Risely was the last to be kicked off Australian Idol prior to the grand final, leaving Natalie Gauci and Matt Corby in the final two.
Oddly enough, considering most would've assumed Matt Corby to be most popular, Gauci - "the Gauch", according to an unusually excitable Marcia - was the first to be declared safe, meaning she'd garnered the most points.
Andrew G was naturally quick to rain on that particular parade, maintaining that there was 4% between "first" and "second".
We'll miss Carl's warbling (and wish they'd let him be more Chet Baker-esque and have his trumpet with him all the time, as those performances - It's Not Unusual in particular - were always miles above the rest) but it was probably his time to go some weeks ago, let alone last night.
Tips for the finale? We're stumped, actually! "The Gauch" has pulled off quite an impressive Cosima (without the 'nodgews') in the final dash, and Corby isn't as popular as he once was, so we'll just hope for one thing: that the stylists don't **** up the female finalist's wardrobe choices for this year's Opera House gig.
It's not much to ask.





Australian Idol 2007
Idol Round-Up: Marty's Idol Journey So Thrilling It Takes A Day To Recover Before We Announce His Leaving

In a show of resilience as confounding as Australian Idol has seen since the weird old days of Hayley Jensen, laidback™ surfer dude® Marty Simpson has finally been vamoosed from the talent quest.
Sadly for Marty, viewers didn't warm to his awkward brand of "big band" style (his Light My Fire was like Jack Johnson subjecting Jose Feliciano to slow and agonising water torture) and he becomes this year's fourth-place-getter.
We're now firmly "on the road to the Opera House" and, failing a Cosima De Vito style shock exit, we're putting our tips on a Carl and Natalie finale, as it's entirely possible that Matt Corby will a) wear another women's nightie or b) choose another obscure song that will freak out the little girls and fall by the wayside.
However, we will not be placing any actual bets because, as we all know, Idol is nothing if not bitterly disappointing year after year unpredictable.





Australian Idol 2007
Idol Round-Up: Tarisai Runs Into The Loving Arms Of A Bratz Endorsement Deal

The latest Australian Idol casualty is pocket rocket Tarisai Vushe, who admittedly showed less "rocket" and far less "(in the) pocket" with each week of the reality talent quest.
What started as a powerhouse voice with a beguiling personality ended up a karaoke-night warbler with the personality of a donut - her trademark quiet "thank you" apparently the killer for all involved, including the normally ever-lovin' Marcia - a predicament that led to Mark and Dicko calling her "fake", only to feel a bit of emotional power from Vushe, even if it was off-stage.
Unfortunately for her, the emotional outburst didn't happen during her cover of The Veronicas' When It All Falls Apart, and so she leaves in fifth place.
Incidentally, we remain perplexed as to exactly who is voting for Marty Simpson; could this year's finale be another repeat of the Damien Leith/Kate De Araugo variety?












Australian Idol 2007
Idol Round-Up: Ben The Latest To Feel The Idol Boot

The contestant most confusingly praised by the judges, Ben McKenzie, has been given his Idol marching orders.
McKenzie, a theatrical NSW teen fond of zombie movies and Imogen Heap, did pretty much the same thing week after week, and continued to make the judges wet themselves (except perhaps Mark, who loves Matt Corby long time).
Apparently this was a "shock" eviction along the lines of Ricki-Lee, but really, anything Ben would've ended up releasing - if his love of Heap, Gary Jules and Brook Fraser is anything to go by - would've probably made Emmy Rossum's debut look like Black Sabbath.






Australian Idol 2007
Is Marcia Hines Gonna Have To Choke A Bitch?


As much as we like to lovingly poke fun at her seemingly endless supply of Peter Pan-collared kaftans and slightly confusing commentary, Australian Idol wouldn't be the same without Marcia Hines.
So, we were more than a little alarmed to read that the talent quest - which shows no signs of being left to die with dignity despite this year's complete lack of personality - could be set to become an all-male zone, at least as far as the judging panel is concerned. Marcia's cracked the shits!

Tensions between the four-person judging panel boiled over on air during Sunday night's show, when the diva turned on Mark Holden and Ian 'Dicko' Dickson in defence of contestant Ben McKenzie.
Hines was dubbed 'Thumper' by Dicko after her animated spray, during which she declared she had the "shits" with Holden, pounding the desk to make her point.

Australian Idol 2007
Christians Allowed To Vote For Idol Contestants, Don't Have To Be Thrown To Lions

Australian Idol's producers have dismissed the growing hysteria about "Christian" voting blocs, which have been said to be affecting the 'fairness' of the talent quest.
Today Tonight et al were all in a tizz about "Hillsong" (which is the new codeword for pentecostal Christians, presumably) members stacking the votes to get "Christians" Matt Corby, Tarisai Vushe, Ben McKenzie and Daniel Mifsud to the Opera House. Idol executive producer Stephen Tate has wisely put paid to the accusations.

"I don't think it is different to any other group that may be supporting somebody," he said. "Nobody was kicking up when the whole of Condobolin was running lamington drives for Shannon Noll a few years ago."

Of course, he's right. What is the difference, after all, other than that one group of voters subscribe to one of the faiths that it is currently fashionable to be openly critical about?
We won't be happy until TT does an angry expose on the lamingon-making nannas of regional Australia that are giving an unfair advantage to this country's farming country rock singers.





Australian Idol 2007
Idol Voters Pray For Deliverance From Christian Voting Bloc

There has been much chatter about the presence of "Hillsong" parishioners in this year's Australian Idol; well, "Hillsong" joins "illegals" and "Africans" as one of those handy right-leaning current affairs buzz words, since there are no Hillsongers in Idol this year.
There are, however, a handful of Assemblies of God members (Matt Corby, Tarisai Vushe, Daniel Mifsud and Ben McKenzie), and Idol fans are evidently concerned that their churches are engaged in massed voting.

SM of Sydney is worried about the influence of AOG churches on TV shows beamed to homes of people not interested in the church.
"I feel sorry for the poor fools forking out their hard earned to remain members of this organisation," SM said.
Marg of Sydney called for greater voting transparency. "It's a shame Idol is being abused this way. Voting blocs are an in-built problem with a show of this nature."

"Voting blocs" have always been an Idol issue, however; Laura Gissara and her dad's Telstra phone room and Guy Sebastian's Hillsong connections are two that spring to mind.
Honestly, though, isn't the point of a viewer-voted talent quest, well, to get the most votes? What's the difference between a church-full of Christians and a suburb full of family and friends?





Australian Idol 2007
Australian Idol Round-Up: We Are Devastated To See Jacob's Chipmunk Cheeks Exit Our Screens

Our "favourite" Idol was given the boot last night; it was sayonara to Jacob Butler's sweat-tinged upper lip and breathless versions of the hits of the UK recording industry as the Melbourne singer became the latest Idol reject. (We also like the fact that that News Ltd headline, "Jacob Loses Australian Idol Fight" makes him sound like a plucky cancer sufferer in a midday movie.)
His "rousing" parting rendition of The Beatles' Let It Be (complete with "Everybody out of your seats" moment) was a perfect crystallisation of all the reasons why we're happy to see the back of him (but wouldn't actually be happy to see the back of him, eh, eh).
In fact, if they can somehow manage to shuffle Marty off next week, the Final Six could actually make us enthused about following the journey to the Opera House with more than the passing curiosity we have currently, the interest levels of which are about on par with "Hmm, there's a black mark on the carpet, wonder how that got there?"

• 
  

15/10/2007 7:17:00 PM.
Carl Riseley's the most marketable: Dicko Australian Idol judge Ian ‘Dicko’ Dickson believes former navy trumpeter Carl Riseley is the most marketable competitor on the Network Ten talent show.

The influential judge believes Riseley has used the show to brand himself as an artist better than any of the other contestants.

“I know there are promoters out there who’d put on a show for him because they’d know what they’ll be getting,” says Dickson.

“I’m speaking from a marketer’s point of view and that’s the reality. One of these guys in seven weeks’ time will be the responsibility of Sony BMG and so someone will have to market them.”

Bookies however are not so impressed with the 24-year-old. In fact he is slated by Sportingbet Australia’s Betting Manager Bill Richmond as one of the three contestants to leave the show this week.

“Take your pick between Marty, Carl and Daniel. It would be a huge shock if one of these three didn’t go,” says Richmond.

Carl and Daniel are perennially in the bottom three, while Marty has struggled throughout but does have a strong fan base.

Idol: Carl sings his last



8:58p.m. 12 November 2007
In what host Andrew G described as the ultimate verdict show of the year, Natalie Gauci and Matt Corby were finally announced as the two Idols to walk the boards at the Sydney Opera House for the Australian Idol Grand Final!
And so Carl Riseley had come to the end of his Idol journey - unfortunately for the housewives.
The clean cut singer had only praise for his fellow contestants as well as thanks for the judges, Australian Idol crew and his family, friends and girlfriend, Rachel.
Carl’s moving final performance included goodbye hugs for the judges and had the final two contestants, Matt and Natalie, singing along in tears.
Despite the obvious disappointment for Carl’s supporters, Monday’s star studded show was an absolute treat for music fans.
The Idol hour included a performance from a strangely clad and barefoot Delta Goodrem, backed up by an army of singing dancers in white, as well as a version of Everybody Hurts by Idol judge Marcia Hines.
Delta performed her new single, Believe Again, for the first time ever on television to an appreciative audience who were obviously excited to see the soapie-star turned singer behind the piano again.
Marcia, showing more leg than expected, sang an emotive version of the classic REM tune, giving the three nervous idol contestants some encouraging glances.


Carl Riseley said his goodbyes to the Idol stage, leaving Matt and Natalie to battle it out for top honours.

Idol: Carl Leaves But Surely There'll Be A Contract?!


How gutted was Carl Riseley last night when the inevitable judgement was passed down? Good job he could call on his naval training to gulp back the tears. Not to fear Carl, the machine will not let a nice piece of 'revenue' like you pass by - you'll have a Big Band CD in every mothers stocking come Christmas no doubt.
Ditto the finalists: Natalie and the Hasidic Elvis. They'll both get contracts, so does it matter if they win the popularity contest on the night?

November 13th, 2007


Carl Riseley Bows Out of Idol Contest


In one of the closest verdicts this season, Australian Idol viewers sent home likable crooner Carl Riseley.
Just four percent separated Carl from remaining Idol hopefuls Matt Corby and Natalie Gauci. Despite coming so close to the Idol crown, Carl was gracious in defeat.
“Man, I am so thrilled for these two,” he told the studio audience. “These two are the most talented guys I have ever met.”
Next Sunday Matt and Natalie will perform three songs including the winner’s single “Here I Am.” Then they’ll head to the Sydney Opera House on November 25 to learn who will be our next Australian Idol.

Former Idol praises BobbyTony Moore | November 13, 2007 - 10:24AM

Idol contestant Carl Riseley is a little bit shell-shocked this morning after being knocked out in the final show before the Sydney Opera House finale, but he still ranks mop-haired Brisbane boy Bobby Flynn as one of the reasons he auditioned.
"Yeah, he was real inspiration for me to audition, he really was," Riseley says in the middle of busy morning of Idol exit interviews which started at 6am.
"He was just so alternative, you know.
"It sort of crossed my mind that if Idol would have a place for someone like Bobby Flynn it might have a place for me.
"So I just thought I would give it a go."
And that is exactly what the 24-year-old former Queenslander did.
In Sydney, his jazz chops with the trumpet and Donny Hathaway singing style won the eyes of judge Marcia Hines - who sang REM's Everybody Hurts in last night's episode - and he was on his way.
But to get to the top three was more than he ever imagined.
And given the audience reaction's to his swing-based crooning performances in the first half of the series, it is a surprise he lasted so long, he concedes.
"It's quite unreal because I never thought I would get this far."
Carl says he's happy with the result and specifically with Natalie Gauci getting straight through.
"When I found that Natalie had gone through, I thought that I would probably be the next person to go," he said.
But they stayed very close friends.
"Yeah, actually we are all so close. It is just unbelievable how close we were and how different we were in our genres."
Today he says he wants to release an album using some of the musicians he has worked with on Australian Idol, but admits it is still very early days. But given the previous Idol experiences, you would have to expect a contract in the wind.
One thing he has ruled out - at least in the short-term - is a return to the Navy.
He says there are no contract offers just yet, but you can feel him looking away from the phone as though someone was approaching.
"I have had a couple of people come up to me (from labels) and say 'hey man', I like what you do," he says.
"But at the minute, I just have to pretend."

Carl Riseley (Eliminated November 12)
Carl Riseley is a 24-year-old from Sydney, New South Wales. He was advanced by the four judges to the Final 12 through the Wildcard show. He has been awarded one "touchdown" from Mark Holden. Before Idol, Carl was a member of the Royal Australian Navy, where he plays the trumpet in the Navy Band. Carl was the final eliminee on November 12th when Natalie Gauci and Matt Corby proceeded into the Grand Final.

1. "Home" by Michael Bublé - (Top 24)
   
2. "Bye Bye Love" by The Everly Brothers - (Wildcard)
   
3. "Waltzing Matilda" by Banjo Paterson - (Contestant's Choice Top 12)
   
4. "Clocks" by Coldplay - (Rock Top 11)
   
5. "September" by Earth, Wind & Fire - (Disco Top 10)
   
6. "It's Alright with Me" by Harry Connick, Jr. - (Acoustic Top 9)
   
7. "Can't Buy Me Love" by The Beatles - (Brit pop Top Bottom 2
   
8. "Turn Your Love Around" by George Benson - (Year you were born Top 7)
   
9. "It's Not Unusual" by Tom Jones - (Judge's Choice - Ian "Dicko" Dickson Top 6) TOUCHDOWN!
   
10. "Jealous Guy" by John Lennon - (Contestant's Choice Top 6)
    
11. "Reminiscing" by Little River Band - (Australian Made Top 5)
    
12. "Just Kiss Me" by Harry Connick Jr - (Big Band Top 4)
    
13. "Me and Mrs Jones" by Billy Paul - (Big Band Top 4) Bottom 2
    
14. "You Give Me Something" by James Morrison - (Audience Choice Top 3)
    
15. "For Once in My Life" by Stevie Wonder - (Contestant's Choice Top 3)
    

Christine Sams, Entertainment Reporter
October 21, 2007

Australian Idol finalists have been gagged from talking about Christianity.
The final six, who made a public appearance at Sydney's Motor Show yesterday, may not answer questions about their religion or personal beliefs.
Channel Ten's publicity team, acting on instructions from the show's maker Fremantle Media, has cancelled media interviews that broach the subject.
After television reports suggested some finalists were being supported by a huge Christian voting audience, the makers of the show have tried to distance themselves from the issue.
Although no wrongdoing has been proved (most Idol contestants have huge communities supporting them, whether it be a country town or a church community) television chiefs are concerned about the effect of the stories on the "street cred" of the show.
"They promised the Idols they wouldn't have to talk about Christianity," a spokeswoman for Channel Ten said.
"They've all been really upset by the stories that are floating around. The interview can't go ahead if you ask them about religion," she said, after initially cancelling an interview with The Sun-Herald because it would include questions about their beliefs. The interview went ahead yesterday, under the agreement that Christianity would not be talked about.
The contestants themselves were surprised by the ban when informed by The Sun-Herald yesterday, but said they would follow the instructions from the makers of the show. "I don't really mind [talking about religion], but obviously I won't if they say so," Matt Corby said.
Sydney contestant Daniel Mifsud said: "I think sometimes it can overshadow what we're here for, that's not the point of being on Idol.
"I don't have any real religious affiliations, I'm not here to push my religious views on anyone. It's already been stated that some people go to church. Let's leave it at that."
But contestant Tarisai Vushe was unimpressed to learn she was being prevented from giving her views. "It's not allowed? I didn't know about that," she said. When she queried who had instigated a ban, a Channel Ten publicist confirmed it was a no-go topic.
csams@sunherald.com.au

Matt Corby and Natalie Gauci Through to the Opera House






Published by Meg at 9:01 pm under Australian Idol

Well, no real surprises tonight, apart from how exceptionally drawn out you can make one episode of Australian Idol. And perhaps the fact that the top and bottom number of votes were only separated by 4%.
All three contestants - Matt Corby, Natalie Gauci and Carl Riseley were in the bottom three (d’oh). The first one safe - Natalie, who sheds a few tears of relief and takes her place on the couch.
But, between Matt and Carl (and yes, another ad break) - Matt is announced as joining Natalie at the Opera House.
Wow - to think I first mentioned Matt Corby nearly three months ago, and now he’s in the final two…
Carl bows out gracefully thanking everybody but the Navy band - which is probably where he’s reluctantly headed, unless he’s snapped up pretty promptly by a recording company.
All the best to Carl. I agree (with some of the judges) that he’s shown the most remarkable improvement on Idol, and I’m sure there’s a future for him in the industry.

Last updated: 16-Aug-2007

Carl our Idol


Brass muso and singer, Carl Riseley, has made it through to the top 100 of Australian Idol.
Carl, formally of the Gold Coast and cornet player with Brisbane Excelsior, is now living in Sydney and working as a Navy Musician with the Royal Australian Navy Band - Sydney.

Proud Dad Phil Riseley, also a former cornet player with XLCR who is currently on leave, will no doubt be glued to the TV anxiously watching the outcome of the next elimination round.

We'll be watching, Carl.

Australian Idol mania





06Nov07
Screaming students welcomed their Australian Idols - Carl Riseley, Matt Corby, Natalie Gauci and Marty Simpson - pictured with Bossley Park High School student and competition winner Michael Ward.

AUSTRALIAN Idol mania swept Bossley Park High last week as the show's last four finalists performed before a throng of screaming fans.

The deafening applause could have fooled passers-by for thinking Justin Timberlake was in the house - or the hall, in this case - during the brief Friday afternoon concert.

A sea of digital and mobile phone cameras captured performances by Matt Corby, Natalie Gauci, Carl Riseley and Marty Simpson.

Simpson's rendition of Tom Petty's I Won't Back Down before an arm-swaying crowd was a swansong as he bowed out of the contest on Monday night.

``To be honest with you, this hall reminds me of my old high school hall,'' he said, sparking even more hysteria.

``It was exactly like this.''

Corby opened the half-hour instalment with Stevie Wonder's Superstitious.

Gauci, playing the keyboard, followed with a ballad version of Rihanna's Umbrella, which proved an audience favourite, leading Idol producer John Foreman to credit their backing vocals.

Riseley delivered a jazz rendition of Waltzing Matilda.

``This should be the new Australian national anthem,'' he declared.

The hopefuls visited the school as part of a prize Year 10 student Michael Ward won for creating an Idol promotional poster.

His quirky entry depicted a cast of past and present contestants.

``I just thought it would be a fun thing to do,'' the 16-year-old said.

``I haven't really won anything before.''

News spread like wildfire across the schoolyard when Michael had won the Rexona-organised competition.

``Most people knew before me,'' he said.

``I didn't believe them at first but was really shocked when I got the phone call.

``I met them (the Idols) backstage, they were nice.''

The finalists closed the concert with Robbie Williams' number Kids.

Idols reject Hillsong takeover claim

livenews.com

Thursday, 1st November 2007



Australian Idol finalists have shrugged off claims Hillsong has infiltrated the show, claiming no-one has any special advantage.

The Idols spoke about the issue on the ARIA’s red carpet.

Carl Riseley likened the support Hillsong could give to individual contestants to the support he could expect from fellow Navy personnel.

‘You could say all the whole navy or defence force is going to vote for me… in all different ways it will equal itself out,’ said the 24-year-old jazz specialist.

Natalie Gauci believed while there are Christians in Idol, religion wasn’t taking over the competition.

Australian Idol frontrunner Matt Corby, who is a member of Hillsong aligned ‘ShireLive’ and appears on the Pentecostal group’s website, said he didn’t’ have an unfair advantage.


Source : http://www.livenews.com.au/Articles/2007/11/01/Idols_reject_Hillsong_takeover_claims

News & Gossip





Idol finalists unleashed

Australia has chosen the 12 wannabe superstars who will battle it out for a record contract and a guaranteed hit single in the fifth season of Australian Idol.

The top 12 was completed at the culmination of the wildcard verdict show on Monday, September 3, which added four more singers to the eight the Australian public voted into the finals the week before.

Sixteen-year old Matt Corby and 25-year-old Jacob Butler - who was a runner-up on 2005's ill-fated TV talent contest The X Factor - were the first two finalists, later joined by big-voiced Tarisai Vushe, 20, and schoolgirl Lana Krost, 17.

The next finalists voted into the top 12 were Ben McKenzie, 17, Marty Simpson, 21, Brianna Carpenter, 21, and Holly Weinert, 20.

After the wildcard performance show, which gave rejected contestants a second shot at glory, the public voted in rockers Daniel Mifsud, 23, and Mark Da Costa, 28. Judges Mark Holden, Marcia Hines, Kyle Sandilands and Ian "Dicko" Dickson then added Carl Riseley, 24, and Natalie Gauci, 25, to the top 12.

Punters can rate the top 12 when they perform weekly on Network Ten on Sundays at 7.30pm, and see who's sent packing in Monday night's verdict shows, airing in the same timeslot.

Carl backs Natalie to win



By: Megan Miller and Luke Dennehy

November 14, 2007 12:00amArticle from:


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AUSTRALIAN Idol is down to the final two and the singer booted off on Monday night is picking Melbourne girl Natalie Gauci to win.
Carl Riseley had high praise for both finalists.

But he said Natalie was ready to be a fully fledged recording artist and would benefit more from getting a deal with Sony BMG.

"She's an awesome arranger of music and I hope she wins, she's ready for it,'' Riseley said.

He said the other finalist, Matt Corby, was a "true artist, one of the most talented I have seen''.

Riseley was diplomatic about outspoken finalist Tarisai Vushe, who didn't have kind words for the last three, including an extraordinary attack on Gauci after she was voted off the show.

"I just think the whole thing was a bit immature,'' he said.

``She's just a little naive and had a bit of a temper.''

He is half glad he didn't make the final as his version of the winner's song would have sounded terrible because of his swing style. The song called Here I Am is believed to have been written by Delta Goodrem.

The former navy trumpeter said he was feeling good and a little relieved to have left the show.

" don't know if Australia was ready to hear my swing version of the new Australian Idol hit,'' he laughed. "We did it, and it sounded bloody horrible.

"I didn't quite work, but it was fun mucking around with it.''

The swing king hasn't had any offers from record companies yet, but is determined to pursue a career in music no matter what it takes. One thing Riseley does know for sure is that he won't be going back to the navy.

"No, they'd make me cut my hair - I'm too attached to my new haircut,'' he said.

Claims that Idol favours Corby



By: Garth Montgomery

November 14, 2007 12:00amArticle from:


AUSTRALIAN Idol fans are in uproar at a perceived rort in the show that has consistently pushed pretty boy Matt Corby to be at the Opera House to take the title.

The show has been racked with controversy surrounding vote rigging, with claims that Matt Corby’s Shirelive church was aggressively encouraging Assemblies Of God Pentacostal groups to vote for Corby.
The news virtually froze betting agencies at the time as the public feared block voting by churches would nullify the power of individual votes.

Swing singer Carl Riseley was placed in the bottom two that saw him pitted against show favourite Corby. Riseley was eliminated that evening.

Critics said it was inconceivable that Corby would feature in the bottom two after his performance on Sunday night, which was bland but flawless.

This compares to Natalie Gauci’s woeful rendition of Madonna’s Ray Of Light that saw a string of horrendous notes crackling through the auditorium.

Australian Idol judges unanimously slammed Natalie, and fans reflected the view that Natalie was the worst performer of Sunday night.

However singing the best doesn’t make the winner in a show obsessed with short term marketing and image.

The judges and record company executives have made it clear that Matt Corby is a heart throb marketing dream to appeal to young girls.

Fans have taken this to mean the show is manipulating who will win and decided it has had its day.
Matt Corby a protected species?
Matt Corby is at the centre of another scandal with news that a backstage tantrum was not screened on TV as producers tried to protect the bookies favourite.

2Day FM shock jock and Oz Idol judge Kyle Sandilands admitted to seeing the backstage hissy fit by Matt Corby.

Corby's inflammatory spray at the judges was filmed by the show’s Inside Idol segment, which provides content to mobile phone subscribers.

“I’m not saying that (Matt’s) stuck up in any way but Mark actually saw him abuse the judges to the camera on the Inside Idol thing,” Sandilands said.

Judge Mark Holden confirmed the story on-air, but when quizzed by 2Day FM co-host Jackie-O why the segment wasn’t given the prominence that Tarisai Vushe’s tantrum was, there was a curious silence.

While Sandilands tried to say that the TV audience might have been refused the footage because it happened for Inside Idol, Jackie-O didn’t buy it and the other judges joked about the lack of explanation.

“What’s that tumbleweed blowing over the desk here?” asked Dicko.

When Jackie-O pushed the issue and said it “really unfair to Tarisai” that the Corby footage wasn’t shown in the same way as the Tarisai footage, Sandilands quickly shut down the conversation.

Vushe’s widely publicised backstage dummy spit was broadcast over two nights of critical voting, and is credited with souring public perception of the wannabe singer.

A caller to 2Day FM was furious and labelled Corby “stuck up” and “conceited”.

Here is the footage from the visit.... :)

Christine Sams
August 26, 2007



FORGET the rags to riches story - most of the 24 finalists in this year's Australian Idol contest have already worked as professional singers and musicians.
Producers are choosing people with industry experience instead of plucking hopefuls from obscurity.
Unlike NSW farmer Shannon Noll or Darwin teen Jessica Mauboy, many of the new contestants have worked in the music industry or have high-profile family connections.
Contestant Jack Byrnes boasts Eddie McGuire as his godfather, Cheray Doughty's father co-wrote I Am Woman with Helen Reddy, Rosie Ribbons made it to the top six of UK Pop Idol before relocating to Australia, while Lana Krost's mum was a Vietnamese opera singer and the first star of Miss Saigon.
Krost herself has performed in a number of musicals including Les Miserables.
Among other finalists, Jacob Butler has already had a management deal in Britain and has recorded an album. David Andrews is a singing teacher, while Carl Riseley is in the Australian Navy band as a trumpeter and singer.
The qualifications might raise eyebrows among viewers who are used to seeing amateur performers moulded into superstars on television, but Australian Idol music director John Foreman believes the quality of music will make all the difference.
Foreman confirmed the Channel Ten program had targeted contestants with music industry credentials.
"I think the show has gone out and sought to find musicians of a higher calibre," he said.Source: The Sun-Herald