Anthony Callea

Anthony Callea (born December 13, 1982 in Melbourne, Australia) is a singer with an Italian background.

Related Topics:
December 13 - 1982 - Melbourne - Australia - Singer - Italian

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Callea began entering talent contests as a child, and trained with the Johnny Young Talent School. He auditioned and was selected for the final 30 in the television series Australian Idol in 2004. Based on viewer votes, he did not make it through the first round of competition but was invited back as a "Judge's Choice Wildcard." His performance on that occasion earned him a place in the final 12.

Related Topics:
Johnny Young Talent School - Television series - Australian Idol - 2004

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Over the weeks of the competition his popularity with the Australian public grew. During his run on the show, he gave several performances that earned him high praise from the judges, including Simon & Garfunkel's "Bridge Over Troubled Water", Foreigner's "I Wanna Know What Love Is" and Andrea Bocelli and Céline Dion's duet "The Prayer." Judge Ian 'Dicko' Dickson (who later left the show to star on another network) said Callea's performance of the latter was the finest he had seen during his two years with the show. Anthony is also the only contestant on Australian Idol everto receive Mark Holden's 'Grand Royal Touchdown' specifically created to underline how outstanding this powerhouse performance was. The competition concluded in November 2004 with Callea runner up to Casey Donovan.

Related Topics:
Simon & Garfunkel - Foreigner - Andrea Bocelli - Céline Dion - Casey Donovan

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Callea was immediately signed to Sony/BMG Records with an album scheduled for release in early 2005. His debut single, his "The Prayer" was released in December 2004 and debuted on the Australian singles chart at number one, remaining at the top spot for five weeks straight. Within seven weeks, it had become the highest-selling Australian single of all time, selling over four times Platinum. He then followed up with the double A-side single "Rain/Bridge Over Troubled Water" the week before Easter, which also debuted at number 1 and held the spot for two weeks. His self-titled album, Anthony Callea, also debuted at number 1, on the week of 4 April 2005. It held the #1 spot on the Australian ARIA charts for 3 weeks before dropping to #3. Anthony's latest single debuted at #10 on the Arias Charts,an unusually high position for a third single from an album, especially since it contained no new vocals as B-side.

Related Topics:
Sony/BMG Records - 2005 - Anthony Callea

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