Jack Vidgen
Encyclopedia
Jack Vidgen is an Australian singer, best known for winning the fifth season
of Australia's Got Talent
. He subsequently signed a recording contract with Sony Music Australia. His debut single, "Yes I Am", was released for digital download
on 3 August 2011. Vidgen's debut studio album, also titled Yes I Am, was released on 19 August 2011.
, including Schools Spectacular
, Eisteddfod, and the local Christmas carols. Vidgen also taught himself how to play the piano
and guitar
. He attended Balgowlah Boys High School. Following his win on Australia's Got Talent in 2011, Vidgen withdrew from his high school to continue by distance education.
's "I Have Nothing
". The performance earned a standing ovation from both the judges and the audiences. Judge Kyle Sandilands
said, "You're either gonna be amazing or dreadful – both I will enjoy", while judge Brian McFadden
was so moved from the performance he ran up on stage to kiss Vidgen's cheek once it was over. The performance has received more than 1.5 million views on YouTube
. Vidgen was since dubbed Australia's answer to Justin Bieber
and had been inundated with international and local interest. He also attracted the attention of celebrity gossip blogger Perez Hilton
, who posted several blogs of Vidgen's performances on his website.
Vidgen performed on the first semi-final show, singing a cover of "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" from the Dreamgirls
soundtrack. After the performance, Vidgen earned another standing ovation from the judges and audience. Sandilands told Vidgen that he made him believe in reincarnation as he was sure Vidgen had a black woman inside him, while McFadden said Vidgen had one of the best voices he had ever heard. After winning the public vote from the first semi-final show, Vidgen progressed through to the next round, the final showdown. During this round, Vidgen performed a cover of Adele
's "Set Fire to the Rain
". After his performance, judge Dannii Minogue
said, "Your voice lifts everybody who listens to it", while McFadden joked that he was jealous of Vidgen because he spelled the end for other guys in the music industry. Vidgen once again won the public vote, which made him progress through to the grand final. During this round, Vidgen performed an original song titled, "Yes I Am". A few days later, Vidgen had been the centre of criticism over the song that he claimed to have written himself when it was revealed that he co-wrote the song with two other people. Critics questioned how involved Vidgen was in the writing of the song. On 7 August 2011 Vidgen appeared on Sunday Night
and said, "I sort of wrote the lyrics, and then I took them to [vocal coach Erana Clark's] studio, and we had the producer — I didn't write the music, I can say that, but I did write the lyrics."
Vidgen was announced the winner of the season during the grand final decider show, which aired on 2 August 2011. He was awarded a prize of $250,000.
Police investigated a threat made against Vidgen posted on Facebook
, offering a $500,000 cash reward for anyone who could inflict a "slow, painful and horrible" death on him. The site warned the offer was not a joke and included a photograph of a gun being held to Vidgen's head. Manly Police acting inspector, Gemma Phillips, said they would launch a full investigation into the Facebook site if a formal complaint was lodged by a member of Vidgen's family, and would take action if sufficient evidence was available.
on 3 August 2011, as Vidgen's debut single. Vidgen co-wrote the gospel
soul
-inspired song with former Australian Idol
vocal coach Erana Clark and producer A2, who have also penned the song, "Fly", for Vidgen's debut studio album. The album was rush-released on 19 August 2011. It contained cover versions Vidgen performed on Australia's Got Talent, which were all produced by musical director Chong Lim
, as well as the two original songs.
Australia's Got Talent (season 5)
Australia's Got Talent is an Australian reality television show, based on the original UK series, to find new talent. The fifth season premiered on the Seven Network on 3 May 2011 and ended on 2 August 2011, where singer Jack Vidgen was crowned the winner of Australia's Got Talent, while...
of Australia's Got Talent
Australia's Got Talent
Australia's Got Talent is an Australian reality television talent show which premiered on 18 February 2007 on the Seven Network. The show was based on the Got Talent series format that originated in the United Kingdom with Simon Cowell...
. He subsequently signed a recording contract with Sony Music Australia. His debut single, "Yes I Am", was released for digital download
Music download
A music download is the transferral of music from an Internet-facing computer or website to a user's local computer. This term encompasses both legal downloads and downloads of copyright material without permission or payment...
on 3 August 2011. Vidgen's debut studio album, also titled Yes I Am, was released on 19 August 2011.
Early life
Jack Vidgen is the son of Steve Vidgen and Rachel Hayton. From 2007 to 2010, Vidgen performed at various events in SydneySydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
, including Schools Spectacular
Schools Spectacular
The Schools Spectacular is an Australian variety show featuring more than 3000 young students and is performed annually at the Sydney Entertainment Centre. Highlights of the Schools Spectacular are broadcast each year by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation....
, Eisteddfod, and the local Christmas carols. Vidgen also taught himself how to play the piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
and guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
. He attended Balgowlah Boys High School. Following his win on Australia's Got Talent in 2011, Vidgen withdrew from his high school to continue by distance education.
2011: Australia's Got Talent
Vidgen auditioned for the fifth season of Australia's Got Talent in 2011, singing a rendition of Whitney HoustonWhitney Houston
Whitney Elizabeth Houston is an American singer, actress, producer and a former model. Houston is the most awarded female act of all time, according to Guinness World Records, and her list of awards include 1 Emmy Award, 6 Grammy Awards, 30 Billboard Music Awards, 22 American Music Awards, among...
's "I Have Nothing
I Have Nothing
"I Have Nothing" is a song by American singer Whitney Houston and released as the third single from The Bodyguard: Original Soundtrack Album on February 20, 1993 by Arista Records. The song was written by David Foster and Linda Thompson, and produced by Foster...
". The performance earned a standing ovation from both the judges and the audiences. Judge Kyle Sandilands
Kyle Sandilands
Kyle Dalton Sandilands is an Australian radio and TV personality. He is currently the host with Jacqueline Henderson, better known as Jackie O, on the weekday morning radio program The Kyle and Jackie O Show on Sydney radio station 2Day FM, The Kyle and Jackie O Hour of Power which airs on...
said, "You're either gonna be amazing or dreadful – both I will enjoy", while judge Brian McFadden
Brian McFadden
Brian Nicholas McFadden , is an Irish singer-songwriter who rose to fame in the late 1990s as a member of the Irish boyband Westlife...
was so moved from the performance he ran up on stage to kiss Vidgen's cheek once it was over. The performance has received more than 1.5 million views on YouTube
YouTube
YouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
. Vidgen was since dubbed Australia's answer to Justin Bieber
Justin Bieber
Justin Drew Bieber is a Canadian pop/R&B singer, songwriter and actor. Bieber was discovered in 2008 by Scooter Braun, who came across Bieber's videos on YouTube and later became his manager...
and had been inundated with international and local interest. He also attracted the attention of celebrity gossip blogger Perez Hilton
Perez Hilton
Mario Armando Lavandeira, Jr. , better known as Perez Hilton , is an American blogger and television personality. His blog, Perezhilton.com , is known for posts covering gossip items about celebrities...
, who posted several blogs of Vidgen's performances on his website.
Vidgen performed on the first semi-final show, singing a cover of "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" from the Dreamgirls
Dreamgirls (film)
Dreamgirls is a 2006 musical drama film, directed by Bill Condon and jointly produced and released by DreamWorks and Paramount Pictures. The film debuted in three special road show engagements beginning December 15, 2006 before its nationwide release on December 25, 2006...
soundtrack. After the performance, Vidgen earned another standing ovation from the judges and audience. Sandilands told Vidgen that he made him believe in reincarnation as he was sure Vidgen had a black woman inside him, while McFadden said Vidgen had one of the best voices he had ever heard. After winning the public vote from the first semi-final show, Vidgen progressed through to the next round, the final showdown. During this round, Vidgen performed a cover of Adele
Adele (singer)
Adele Laurie Blue Adkins , known professionally as Adele, is an English singer-songwriter. She was the first recipient of the Brit Awards Critics' Choice and was named the number-one predicted breakthrough act of 2008 in an annual BBC poll of music critics, Sound of 2008...
's "Set Fire to the Rain
Set Fire to the Rain
"Set Fire to the Rain" is a song by English singer-songwriter Adele from her second studio album 21. Written by Adele and Fraser T. Smith and produced by Smith, the power ballad was released as the second single from the album in Europe. It was released as the third single in the United Kingdom on...
". After his performance, judge Dannii Minogue
Dannii Minogue
Danielle Jane "Dannii" Minogue is an Australian singer-songwriter, actress, television personality, radio personality, fashion designer and model...
said, "Your voice lifts everybody who listens to it", while McFadden joked that he was jealous of Vidgen because he spelled the end for other guys in the music industry. Vidgen once again won the public vote, which made him progress through to the grand final. During this round, Vidgen performed an original song titled, "Yes I Am". A few days later, Vidgen had been the centre of criticism over the song that he claimed to have written himself when it was revealed that he co-wrote the song with two other people. Critics questioned how involved Vidgen was in the writing of the song. On 7 August 2011 Vidgen appeared on Sunday Night
Sunday Night (Australian TV program)
Sunday Night is an Australian news and current affairs program produced and broadcast by the Seven Network. The program airs on Sunday nights at 6:30 pm, and is presented by Seven News Sydney presenter Chris Bath.-Overview:...
and said, "I sort of wrote the lyrics, and then I took them to [vocal coach Erana Clark's] studio, and we had the producer — I didn't write the music, I can say that, but I did write the lyrics."
Vidgen was announced the winner of the season during the grand final decider show, which aired on 2 August 2011. He was awarded a prize of $250,000.
Police investigated a threat made against Vidgen posted on Facebook
Facebook
Facebook is a social networking service and website launched in February 2004, operated and privately owned by Facebook, Inc. , Facebook has more than 800 million active users. Users must register before using the site, after which they may create a personal profile, add other users as...
, offering a $500,000 cash reward for anyone who could inflict a "slow, painful and horrible" death on him. The site warned the offer was not a joke and included a photograph of a gun being held to Vidgen's head. Manly Police acting inspector, Gemma Phillips, said they would launch a full investigation into the Facebook site if a formal complaint was lodged by a member of Vidgen's family, and would take action if sufficient evidence was available.
Record deal, and Yes I Am
Following his win on Australia's Got Talent, Vidgen subsequently signed a recording contract with Sony Music Australia. "Yes I Am" was released for digital downloadMusic download
A music download is the transferral of music from an Internet-facing computer or website to a user's local computer. This term encompasses both legal downloads and downloads of copyright material without permission or payment...
on 3 August 2011, as Vidgen's debut single. Vidgen co-wrote the gospel
Gospel music
Gospel music is music that is written to express either personal, spiritual or a communal belief regarding Christian life, as well as to give a Christian alternative to mainstream secular music....
soul
Soul music
Soul music is a music genre originating in the United States combining elements of gospel music and rhythm and blues. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is "music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of...
-inspired song with former 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...
vocal coach Erana Clark and producer A2, who have also penned the song, "Fly", for Vidgen's debut studio album. The album was rush-released on 19 August 2011. It contained cover versions Vidgen performed on Australia's Got Talent, which were all produced by musical director Chong Lim
Chong Lim
Chong Lim is an Australian keyboardist, producer, and session musician. He played with James Valentine of Models at Melbourne University, then joined Vanetta Field's Gospel Band. He has toured with the Eurogliders, Jermaine Jackson, WJAZ, and John Farnham...
, as well as the two original songs.
Studio albums
| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions |
Certifications |
|---|---|---|---|
| AUS 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... |
|||
| Yes I Am Yes I Am (Jack Vidgen album) -Charts and certification:-Certification:... |
|
3 |
Australian Recording Industry Association The Australian Recording Industry Association is a trade group representing the Australian recording industry which was established in 1983 by six major record companies, EMI, Festival, CBS, RCA, WEA and Universal replacing the Association of Australian Record Manufacturers which was formed in 1956... : Gold |
Singles
| Year | Title | Peak chart positions |
Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| AUS 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... |
|||
| 2011 | "Yes I Am" | 35 | Yes I Am |
Awards and nominations
| Year | Type | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Nickelodeon Australian Kids' Choice Awards | Aussie Musos | |