Dynamic entertainer Anthony Callea is proof you don't have to win a contest to do great things - but you have to work hard and be good at what you do.
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Callea came second to Australian Idol winner Casey Donovan in 2004, at the age of 21, having made it to the finals as a judges' choice wildcard after not originally getting past the first round.
The 36-year-old says he had ambition and drive from a young age. "My parents and grandparents were really hard workers, mum left school at 16."
He was gigging two or three times a week from age 16, and working at his parents' restaurant. "I did a TAFE course, and then started a business management course at university, but six months into that I auditioned for Idol.
His success on the show was a major adjustment for him as he was also struggling with his sexuality at the time.
"Those first few years were a whirlwind, flying business class and first class, hotel suites. You can get caught up in it very quickly. I was making money and doing amazing gigs, and dad pulled me aside one day, and said: 'This is great, but there will be many ups and downs, appreciate it and don't take it for granted. Buy a nice car, a property'." His Italian parents have always been very supportive of him.
Callea's career has gone from strength to strength. He is one of only five Australian male artists to have three albums debut in top place on the ARIA Chart.
His seventh album ARIA #1 Hits in Symphony recorded with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra in 2017, was one of them.
"That project took two to three years to get across the line. As a singer, recording a symphonic album was a bucket list item. I had so many opportunities to record with an orchestra, but I wanted my home city's - the MSO. Sony and Ross Fraser made it happen. It's one of the costliest projects I ever did, but to launch it with them [MSO], turn it into a TV special, it's a beautiful thing to look back on.
"John Foreman produced it. He lives up the road from me. We sat around there, and he wrote all the orchestrations with me. We bashed out the arrangements together ... overall it was a really beautiful album to put together and my band were part of the rhythm section - they were thrilled."
Another defining moment for Callea was performing for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. "It's quite bizarre when those calls come in. One minute you are singing for her, then you are having afternoon tea at Kirribilli House. I'm so glad to have had that moment."
Callea has toured with a number of the world's most prominent voices, including powerhouse divas Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, Diana Ross and the incomparable Pavarotti.
"I adore her [Celine] from a vocalist point of view, but she is polarising. Her technique is flawless, and I was in awe of her ability. The first day I rocked up thinking please be nice. I was introduced to her and she stood up and gave me the biggest hug, she was so beautiful. As a support act you're usually on your own, but she was like, 'we want to have a meeting with you about your sound and lighting'. She's a class act. Everyone loved being on that tour. After the last show she gave me a Cartier clock, and thanked me for being on the tour. I learnt a lot from that tour, especially how to treat people.
"With Whitney it was an interesting tour. It was a beautiful thing to be a part of, but you could see she was in decline. She was lovely to me, but I felt sorry for her."
This tour is Callea's chance to "get to the core". "I haven't done a regional tour for over a decade. I wanted to do something different, to revisit my songs and tell the stories of what has happened along the way.
"When I first started out I was told what do say and do. I have learnt the less people you have around you the better. You need to have people you can trust. I had nothing to compare it to, but as you get older, you start taking control, you have to own it. It's the most unstable job ever, but I love that to a certain degree, it makes you want it more.
"There are so many things I share on this tour. Dad said 'did you really have to share all that'. I've got nothing to hide, it's a nice place to be in. I talk about winning my first ARIA, about my dad and how he helped me.
"I'm competitive, but with myself. I always want to do better with the next project. You always want more. I wake up every day I'm a singer, and that's a job. I don't know what it's like to work in an office. It's the most self indulgent job to have. Every day I want people to love me and buy into me. But you can't take away my voice, it's so personal, it's coming out of you."
Callea says he has been in the studio recording and we should hear some new music from him in the next few weeks. The audience will probably get a preview at the Glasshouse show.
On stage with him will be pianist Garth, and vocalist Susie Ahern. "I met her when I was 14 and nine months. She was the casting person for Starstruck. I lied and said I was 15. Susie made them change the rules so I could go on the show. Paulini won it. Susie has always been a great mentor for me. Brad's on guitar. Port is the last show. Oh wow, there's some s*#t going to go down that night!"