Casey Donovan (singer)
Encyclopedia
Australian Idol
Donovan transferred to the Australian Institute of MusicAustralian Institute of Music
The Australian Institute of Music is a private not-for-profit institution originally founded in 1968 by Dr Peter Calvo, and then known as the Sydney Guitar School...
in Sydney's Surry Hills in 2004 and it was in this year that her stepfather encouraged her to audition for the second season of Australian Idol. While Donovan performed well throughout the Australian Idol competition and received countless praise from all three judges for her flawless performances and studio standard vocals, she was not widely considered a favorite to win. During the competition she received some outside success and won the Most Promising New Talent Award at the 2004 The Deadlys, which honours indigenous talent in Australia. Nevertheless, she surprised many by being the first to get through to the 2004 final where she defeated widespread favorite Anthony Callea.
Despite critics claiming her record sales were low when compared to other Idol finalists such as Season 1 winner Guy Sebastian
Guy Sebastian
Guy Theodore Sebastian is an Australian pop, R&B, and soul singer-songwriter who was the first winner of Australian Idol in 2003. He is currently a judge on the Australian version of The X Factor. Sebastian has released six top ten platinum/multi platinum albums, including a number-one and...
, Season 1 Runner-up Shannon Noll
Shannon Noll
Shannon Noll first came to prominence as runner-up of the first series of Australian Idol which led to him being signed to Sony BMG. Since then he has released five Top 10 albums and ten Top 10 singles. His first two albums That's What I'm Talking About in 2004 and Lift in 2005 debuted at No...
and even her own runner-up Anthony Callea
Anthony Callea
Anthony Cosmo Callea is an Australian singer-songwriter who rose to prominence in the 2004 season of Australian Idol when he became runner up. He was signed to Sony Music Australia until 2009 and is now an independent artist...
, Donovan has achieved 5 Platinum accreditations, making her the sixth highest selling Australian Idol
Australian Idol
Australian Idol is a Logie Award-winning Australian singing competition, which began its first season on July 2003 and ended its run in November 2009. As part of the Idol franchise, Australian Idol originated from the reality program Pop Idol, which was created by British entertainment executive...
alumni overall.
Australian Idol performances
| Week | Theme | Song Sung | Artist | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audition | N/A | "A Millon Tears" | Kasey Chambers Kasey Chambers Kasey Chambers is an Australian country singer-songwriter. She is the daughter of steel guitar player Bill Chambers, and the sister of musician and producer Nash Chambers.-Solo success:... |
Selected |
| Theatre Round Day 1 |
Solo Performance (a cappella A cappella A cappella music is specifically solo or group singing without instrumental sound, or a piece intended to be performed in this way. It is the opposite of cantata, which is accompanied singing. A cappella was originally intended to differentiate between Renaissance polyphony and Baroque concertato... ) |
unknown | unknown | Advanced |
| Theatre Round Day 2 |
Group Performance | "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours" is a soul single by American musician Stevie Wonder, recorded for Motown's Tamla label. Released in June 1970, the song spent six weeks at number one on the U.S. R&B chart and peaked at number three on the U.S. Pop chart... " with Emelia Rusciano, Liza Schulberg and Yasmine Dia |
Stevie Wonder Stevie Wonder Stevland Hardaway Morris , better known by his stage name Stevie Wonder, is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and activist... |
Advanced |
| Theatre Round Day 3 |
Solo Performance | "Exodus" | Evanescence Evanescence Evanescence is an American rock band founded in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1995 by singer/pianist Amy Lee and guitarist Ben Moody. After recording private albums, the band released their first full-length album, Fallen, on Wind-up Records in 2003. Fallen sold more than 17 million copies worldwide... |
Advanced |
| Top 30 | Semifinal Group #3 | "Here's Where I Stand Here's Where I Stand (song) "Here's Where I Stand" is a song performed by Tiffany Taylor in the 2003 musical film Camp. The song was also performed by Australian Idol winner Casey Donovan in the show's second season, and by Lisa Tucker in the fifth season of American Idol.... " (Touchdown Australian Idol Australian Idol is a Logie Award-winning Australian singing competition, which began its first season on July 2003 and ended its run in November 2009. As part of the Idol franchise, Australian Idol originated from the reality program Pop Idol, which was created by British entertainment executive... ) |
Tiffany Taylor | Advanced |
| Top 12 | Australian-Made Music | "Symphony of Life Symphony of Life "Symphony of Life" is a pop-dance song written by Tina Arena and Peter-John Vettese, produced by Vettese for Arena's fifth album Just Me . It was released as the albums third single in Australia on 16 September 2002 and the second single from the album in France in October 2002... " |
Tina Arena Tina Arena Filippina Lydia "Tina" Arena is an Australian singer, songwriter and musical theatre actress. She has won several awards, most notably 6 ARIA Awards and in both 1996 and 2000 she received the World Music Award for the world's best selling Australian artist... |
Safe |
| Top 11 | Pop Music Pop music Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop... |
"Don't Speak Don't Speak "Don't Speak" is a song by the American rock band No Doubt. It was released in 1996 as the third single from the band's third studio album, Tragic Kingdom... " |
No Doubt No Doubt No Doubt is an American rock band from Anaheim, California that formed in 1986. The ska-pop sound of their first album No Doubt , failed to make an impact... |
Safe |
| Top 10 | Songs of the Sixties | "Somebody to Love Somebody to Love (Jefferson Airplane song) "Somebody to Love" is a rock song that was written by Darby Slick and originally recorded by 1960s folk rock band The Great Society and later by the psychedelic rock band Jefferson Airplane... " |
Jefferson Airplane Jefferson Airplane Jefferson Airplane was an American rock band formed in San Francisco in 1965. A pioneer of the psychedelic rock movement, Jefferson Airplane was the first band from the San Francisco scene to achieve mainstream commercial and critical success.... |
Safe |
| Top 9 | Disco Disco Disco is a genre of dance music. Disco acts charted high during the mid-1970s, and the genre's popularity peaked during the late 1970s. It had its roots in clubs that catered to African American, gay, psychedelic, and other communities in New York City and Philadelphia during the late 1960s and... Hits |
"Shake Your Groove Thing Shake Your Groove Thing "Shake Your Groove Thing" is a song by disco duo Peaches & Herb. It reached #2 for four weeks on the Billboard Disco chart in 1978. The single reached #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #4 on the Billboard R&B Chart.-In pop culture:... " |
Peaches & Herb Peaches & Herb Peaches & Herb was an American vocalist duo, once comprising Herb Fame and Francine "Peaches" Hurd Barker... |
Safe |
| Top 8 | Idol's Choice | "Special Ones" (Touchdown) | George George (band) George are a rock band from Brisbane, Australia. Their first album, Polyserena reached #1 in the Australian Charts on 17 March 2002.-History:... |
Safe |
| Top 7 | Lennon/McCartney | "Eleanor Rigby Eleanor Rigby "Eleanor Rigby" is a song by The Beatles, simultaneously released on the 1966 album Revolver and on a 45 rpm single. The song was written primarily by Paul McCartney and credited to Lennon–McCartney... " |
The Beatles The Beatles The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr... |
Safe |
| Top 6 | Songs of the Eighties | "The Flame The Flame (Cheap Trick song) "The Flame" is a hit power ballad by Cheap Trick, released on July 25, 1988. The song was first offered to English singer Elkie Brooks, who turned it down. Written by Bob Mitchell and Nick Graham, the song was initially released on Cheap Trick's Lap of Luxury album... " |
Cheap Trick Cheap Trick Cheap Trick is an American rock band from Rockford, Illinois, formed in 1973. The band consists of members Robin Zander , Rick Nielsen , Tom Petersson , and Bun E... |
Bottom 2 |
| Top 5 | Songs of R&B Rhythm and blues Rhythm and blues, often abbreviated to R&B, is a genre of popular African American music that originated in the 1940s. The term was originally used by record companies to describe recordings marketed predominantly to urban African Americans, at a time when "urbane, rocking, jazz based music with a... |
"Beautiful" (Touchdown) | India.Arie India.Arie India.Arie is a Grammy Award-winning American singer-songwriter and record producer . She has sold over 3.3 million records in the U.S. and 10 million worldwide. She has won four Grammy Awards from her 21 nominations, including Best R&B Album.-Background:Simpson was born in Denver, Colorado... |
Safe |
| Top 4 | Music of Big Band Big band A big band is a type of musical ensemble associated with jazz and the Swing Era typically consisting of rhythm, brass, and woodwind instruments totaling approximately twelve to twenty-five musicians... |
"Why Don't You Do Right? Why Don't You Do Right? "Why Don't You Do Right?" is an American blues- and jazz-influenced pop song – now a standard – written in 1936 by Kansas Joe McCoy. It is a twelve-bar minor key blues form with a few chord substitutes, it is considered a classic "woman's blues" song.... " "Come Fly with Me Come Fly with Me (song) "Come Fly with Me" is a 1957 popular song composed by Jimmy Van Heusen, with lyrics by Sammy Cahn."Come Fly with Me" was written for Frank Sinatra, and was the title track of his 1958 album of the same name... " |
Peggy Lee Peggy Lee Peggy Lee was an American jazz and popular music singer, songwriter, composer, and actress in a career spanning six decades. From her beginning as a vocalist on local radio to singing with Benny Goodman's big band, she forged a sophisticated persona, evolving into a multi-faceted artist and... Frank Sinatra Frank Sinatra Francis Albert "Frank" Sinatra was an American singer and actor.Beginning his musical career in the swing era with Harry James and Tommy Dorsey, Sinatra became an unprecedentedly successful solo artist in the early to mid-1940s, after being signed to Columbia Records in 1943. Being the idol of the... |
Bottom 2 |
| Top 3 | Songs of the Seventies | "You're So Vain You're So Vain "You're So Vain" is a song written and performed by Carly Simon and released in December 1972. The song is a critical profile of a self-absorbed lover; Simon asserts "You're so vain, you probably think this song is about you." The subject's identity has been the matter of speculation, fueled by... " "Misty Blue Misty Blue "Misty Blue" is a song written by Bob Montgomery in 1966 which has become a hit in the pop, C&W and soul fields through various versions, the most successful being the 1976 pop/soul hit by Dorothy Moore.-C&W hit versions:... " (Touchdown) |
Carly Simon Carly Simon Carly Elisabeth Simon is an American singer-songwriter, musician, and children's author. She rose to fame in the 1970s with a string of hit records, and has since been the recipient of two Grammy Awards, an Academy Award, and a Golden Globe Award for her work... Dorothy Moore Dorothy Moore Dorothy Moore is an American pop, R&B, and soul singer best known for her 1976 hit song, "Misty Blue".-Career:... |
Safe |
| Finale | Idol's Choice Idol's Choice Idol Winner's Single |
"Take Me as I Am" "Hello" "Listen with Your Heart" |
Vanessa Amorosi Vanessa Amorosi Vanessa Amorosi is an Australian singer-songwriter and recording artist. Her combined album and single sales have reached over 2 million worldwide.-Early life:... Evanescence Evanescence Evanescence is an American rock band founded in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1995 by singer/pianist Amy Lee and guitarist Ben Moody. After recording private albums, the band released their first full-length album, Fallen, on Wind-up Records in 2003. Fallen sold more than 17 million copies worldwide... (winner's single) |
WON |
Post-Idol career
Casey Donovan studied music at the Australian Institute of Music before becoming the youngest winner of Australian Idol, winning the second season at the age of 16.Donovan is a multi-award winner and nominee, including an ARIA No #1 Award for "Listen with Your Heart" and Deadly Awards for Best Album, Best Single and Most Promising New Talent.
While riding the Australian Idol wave, Donovan was one of Australia's most in demand entertainers, with regular appearances on television, radio and seen in print media across Australia. Donovan was also a star performer for many major events, including – Commonwealth Games, Woodfood Dreaming Festival and Foxtel's 10th Birthday.
After the hype of Australian Idol died down, Donovan spent time re-evaluating her career and re-establishing herself as a solo Independent artist, with the release of an independent EP Eye 2 Eye. Donovan also re-established herself as one of Australia's most promising Indigenous entertainers, with regular appearances on Vibe Alive Tours and a regular segment on Deadly Sounds with Rhoda Roberts.
While starring in the successful concept show Women of Soul, Donovan was approached by Rhoda Roberts for the theatrical production of Miracle in Brisbane for the Brisbane Festival in October 2009.
In 2010, Donovan was cast in the role of Cynthia in a musical stage production of The Sapphires which saw the show tour Australia throughout the first half of 2010. Donovan won praise from the critics for her role in the production, which was presented by Company B Belvoir and Black Swan State Theatre Company. Donovan went on to take home the Best Supporting Actress award at the 4th Daegu International Music Festival Awards while on tour with the production in South Korea in July 2010.
Donovan returned to music with the release of her single "Big, Beautiful & Sexy" co-written with songwriter Beau Golden, in August 2010, which went on to reach #9 in the AIR Charts. "Big, Beautiful and Sexy" has also become an anthem for larger women. The song also seen Donovan's online Facebook support group Big, Beautiful & Sexy (which attracted nearly 2000 fans in its first weeks) grow to over 6000 fans. Donovan herself has lost over 20 kg and continued her support of larger men and women as they achieve their life goals. Donovan went on to release another single in November 2010 titled "Last Regret" which saw the continuation of support from fans and media, and also gained some commercial airplay.
In December 2010, Donovan was nominated for two awards in the 2010 Sydney Theatre Awards for "Newcomer" and "Supporting Actress", continuing to receive praise and recognition from the industry for her work in The Sapphires. Although she auditioned for a role in the 2011 movie version, Donovan was ultimately not cast.
2011 saw Donovan reprise her role of Cynthia Macrae in another tour of the hit show The Sapphires. The tour ran during February in ACT and NSW, and was followed by two weeks in the UK in March. Casey has expressed interest in acting and with the praise she has received throughout 2010 for her role in The Sapphires it is likely Donovan may look into pursuing this further. It is also expected that Donovan will get around to finishing and releasing her long awaited second album in 2011.
In August/September 2011, Donovan will create the role of Mama Cass in the world premiere of new musical "flowerchildren - the The Mamas & the Papas
The Mamas & the Papas
The Mamas & the Papas were a Canadian/American vocal group of the 1960s . The group recorded and performed from 1965 to 1968 with a short reunion in 1971, releasing five albums and 11 Top 40 hit singles...
story" written by Peter Fitzpatrick. Produced by pioneering Australian company Magnormos
Magnormos
Magnormos is an independent musical theatre production company based in Melbourne, Australia, that specialises in producing musicals written by Australian writers, and landmark international works....
, Casey will be joined by Matt Hetherington as John Phillips
John Phillips
-18th century and earlier:* John Phillips , Bishop of Sodor and Man in the Church of England* John Phillips , author and secretary to John Milton* John Phillips -18th century and earlier:* John Phillips (bishop of Sodor and Man) (1605–1633), Bishop of Sodor and Man in the Church of England* John...
, Laura Fitzpatrick as Michelle Phillips
Michelle Phillips
Michelle Phillips is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. She gained fame as a member of the 1960s group The Mamas & the Papas, and is the last surviving original member of the group.-Early life:...
, and Dan Humphris as Denny Doherty
Denny Doherty
Dennis Gerrard Stephen Doherty was a Canadian singer and songwriter. He was most widely known as a founding member of the 1960s musical group The Mamas & the Papas.-Early career:...
.
Donovan also lends her name and support to a number of charitable and non-profit organisations. Donovan is an Ambassador for APRA/AMCOS and an Advocate for the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence.
EPs
| Year | Information | Track Listing |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Eye 2 Eye
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Singles
| Year | Song | Australia ARIA Charts The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June... |
Certification | Album |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | "Listen with Your Heart" | 1 | 2x Platinum (ARIA) | For You |
| 2005 | "What's Going On?" | 18 | — | |
| "Flow" | 51 | — | ||
| 2010 | "Big, Beautiful & Sexy" | —1 | — | Non-album single |
| "Last Regret" | — | — | Second studio album | |
1 "Big, Beautiful & Sexy" did not chart on the ARIA Singles Chart
ARIA Charts
The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June...
, but did peak at #9 on the AIR Charts
Australian Independent Record Labels Association
The Australian Independent Record Labels Association is a non profit, non government association dedicated to supporting the growth and development of Australia’s independent recording sector...
.