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Navy singer makes mark on Australian Idol
By Sarah Vickery
Volume 50, No. 16, September 06, 2007 |
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| WILDCARD RE-ENTRY: Carl Riseley. |
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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) |
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