Season SIX
The sixth season of Canadian Idol appeared on screens on June 3, 2008.
It was hosted by public’s favorite Ben Mulroney. This year a new face joined Idol’s cast — Jully Black, an award-winning R&B artist was a mentor, critic, confidant and coach to the participants. There also was a great opportunity for the people who couldn’t manage to get to the audition sites to show their talents in two-minute clips submitted over internet. Due to increasing popularity of the show and growing number of talented contestants, it was decided to select 24 semi-finalists instead of 22. The judges were again well known four stars: Farley Flex, Jake Gold, Sass Jordan and Zack Werner. The final episode, crowning of the new Canadian Idol, aired on September 10, 2008.
The Top 10 finalists this year were:
Adam Castelli was 26 when he auditioned in his home city of Hamilton.
Before Canadian Idol he already tried himself in writing and performing songs and worked as a carpenter. Adam has a true rock’n’roll nature, loves his Harley-Davidson motorcycle and calls Jerry Lee Lewis and Bruce Springsteen as an inspiration for his work. With all his passion to rock music, he appreciates Canadian Idol for being able to try himself in different musical genres. After becoming Top 10 of the 2008 Adam said, he needs some time to rest and then he plans to return to writing songs.
Katherine St-Laurent,
a 17 years old girl from Otterburn Park, Quebec. She was the youngest competitor in Top 24 this year. As a high school student Katherine likes basketball, tennis and spending time with friends. Although her part time job is not so typical — she is a golfball saleswoman. Katherine always liked to watch Canadian Idol on TV and she was very excited to be part of it. She said it takes a lot of hard work and concentration to compete on the show. After being voted off Top 9 of 2008 Katherine said, Canadian Idol opened a world of possibilities to her and she wants to do music the rest of her life.
Sebastian Pigott is an actor and writer from Toronto.
By the age of 25 he already has written a series of plays with a Toronto theatre company. He played in two of them and directed one. On Canadian Idol Sebastian competed among others with his brother Oliver Pigott, who was eliminated from the Top 16. As an inspiration for his creativity, Sebastian calls such names as David Bowie and Jerry Lee Lewis.
Canadian Idol experience inspired brothers Oliver and Sebastian to release their debut album “Pigottry”. Also Sebastian has got his first major role in an episode of TV series “Deadliest Catch” for the Discovery Chanel.
Mark Day, a 20 years old student and respite care worker from Portugal Cove, NL
was very proud he is the only competitor from Newfoundland in Top 24. The main Mark’s characteristics are always beaming smile and a brilliant wit and a sense of humor. Mark also has a sophisticated fashion sense and he showed it in his performances always dressing in a classy way. After placing 7th on Canadian Idol of 2008 Mark said, he will definitely continue his work as a musician. “I just want to entertain, no matter what my audience will be, and hopefully I’ll be able to do that for the rest of my days”.
Amberly Thiessen, a 19 years old student from Seven Persons, AB.
Amberly is a huge fan of basketball and volleyball, and she uses lessons learned in sports to make progress in a Canadian Idol competition. Amberly says, she would like to make people’s lives better as a musician, like Bono from U2 for example. With her fresh and unique country feel she managed to get to the Top 6 of the Canadian Idol. After the competition ended Amberly wasn’t wasting any time getting her music career going and went to New York City where she began to work on her debut album featuring some of Amberly’s own songs and some covers.
Peter “Mookie” Morris from Toronto auditioned for the Canadian Idol at the age of 18.
Mookie has got his nickname from a baseball player Mookie Wilson, who helped his team to win the game the very second Peter was born. Mookie has graduated from a high school and attended Concordia University. He says, Canadian Idol was a great opportunity for him and it is kind of a summer job you get once in a lifetime. Literally all of Mookie’s interests involve music in some way. He plays piano and drums, he likes concerts and even organizes his own shows. Discipline, song choice and self confidence helped Mookie to get to the Top 5 of the 2008 Canadian Idol. After the show he continued his music career and was a lead singer of his band Blindsight.
Earl Stevenson was born in Swift Current, SK, but calls Lloydsminster, AB his hometown.
He was 23 when he auditioned for the Canadian Idol in Edmonton. Earl is a devoted snowboarder and when he injured his knee, he moved to the Hawaii where he began playing music and writing songs. Earl likes learning new tricks both in snowboarding and in music. Among the greatest impressions of his life Earl calls building a house with his father. In music Earl tries not to copy any of the popular musicians. Developing of his own unique style is more important, says Earl. After becoming fourth on the Canadian Idol, Stevenson is going to continue with his music career, whether it will be working with a label or writing his own songs. You don’t disappear off the planet after the show, said Earl.
Drew Wright was 28 when he auditioned for the Canadian Idol in Toronto.
Before that he mainly worked as a house painter. After the school Drew studied drama and since childhood he liked playing music. He took his favorite guitar to the drama classes to play for his peers. In childhood Drew also took tap dancing lessons. Before participating in Canadian Idol he managed to play with two bands and even won the Rock 95 Loud and Local Contest in 2006. Drew has a degree in music engineering and plays on the local scene. While struggling to become a Canadian Idol Drew accompanied himself on guitar and drums during some songs. He has got praise from the judges and became a Top 3 of the 2008 Canadian Idol. After the show Drew created a band named Fall and Divide with some of his friends. They are working on an EP and performing on stage.
Mitch MacDonald was a 22 years old carpenter from Port Hood on Cape Berton, NS.
He says his inspiration in music is his fellow Cape Bertoner Grammy and Juno awards winner Gordie Sampson. In his free time Mitch enjoys cooking, songwriting and playing guitar. He considers “practice, sleep, water, and great song choices” are the keys to success on the show. MacDonald grabbed viewers’ and judges’ attention with his loveable and likeable appeal. As Canadian Idol executive producer John Brunton said, “Mitch has got a voice that cuts through a radio”, which brought him a second place in this year’s show. After the show MacDonald went on tour with first and third place finishers Theo Tams and Drew Write and planned to return to Toronto to continue his work as a musician.
Theo Tams, a 23 years old student from Lethbridge, AB studying psychology and classical music.
He was training in opera, but he likes all genres, from Bob Marley to Damien Rice. In such young age he already worked as a volunteer in an orphanage in India and names Mother Theresa as a role model for his life. On the show Theo amazed judges with his self-assured performance style and a 100% devotion to what he does. All of that helped him to become a 2008 Canadian Idol. After the show he moved to Toronto to work on his debut album. After the single “Lazy Lovers” an album “Give It All Away” followed on May 19, 2009. A cross-Canada tour is planned for September.