Our Idol Archives Katie Holden

Bobby Flynn was one of the more eccentric performers Australian Idol saw in its time but was a huge favorite amongst fans. Bobby was wary to go on reality tv and tells us about how the producers on Idol tried to steer him away from taking risks while on the show.  

After Idol, Bobby was in the Aussie independent music scene but eventually decided to go back to Uni. Now working for the Victorian state government, Mark & Bobby bond over their career endeavors outside of music. 

CREDITS: 
Hosts: Katie Holden & Mark Holden
With thanks to our guest: Bobby Flynn
Producer: Katie Holden 
Editor: Katie Holden & Nick Wingate 

You may remember Carl Riseley from his jazz days on the fifth season of Idol but you may not be familiar with his second passion, aviation. Carl tells Mark and Katie about the tough decision to leave the music industry full time when the GFC hit to become a pilot and support his growing family. 
After losing a bet while in the navy, Carl was forced by his navy bandmates to audition for Australian Idol. Having been an instrumentalist, Carl tells Mark and Katie about the challenges he faced with the rigors of singing week after week. After placing third on Idol, Carl recorded two albums as part of a five year deal that was shelved once the GFC hit. With his job as a pilot being put on hold for most of 2020, Carl has started a new music endeavor with his band West Juliet. 
CREDITS: 
Hosts: Katie Holden & Mark Holden
With thanks to our guest: Carl Riseley 
Producer: Katie Holden 
Editor: Katie Holden & Nick Wingate 

Today on the show we have Courtney Murphy who placed third on Idol in 2004. Courtney is the lead vocalist in his family band, Murphy's Lore which has been gigging around WA since 1991. Unlike many other Idol alum, Courtney has been able to support himself as a full time musician in Perth, despite the pressure to move to a bigger city. Mark & Katie chat with Courtney about how reality TV has changed and how Dicko helped him take the power back when being asked about his weight while on the show. 
CREDITS: 
Hosts: Katie Holden & Mark Holden
With thanks to our guest: Courtney Murphy
Producer: Katie Holden 
Editor: Katie Holden & Nick Wingate 

Ben McKenzie placed seventh on Season 5 of Idol in 2007. Ben was 16 years-old when he auditioned for the show and tells Mark and Katie about not feeling comfortable coming out at the time due to a mix of his Christian upbringing along with the hate he received from viewers of the show. 

Ben has had quite a journey of self discovery since leaving the show and 13 years on, he has finally being back to performing and writing music. Ben’s main passion now is making music videos for artists and he prefers being behind the scenes these days. Although Ben says he has tried to block out his time on Idol for the most part, he tells Mark and Katie a shocking never before heard story of when he was beaten up while on the show. 
CREDITS: 
Hosts: Katie Holden & Mark Holden
With thanks to our guest: Ben McKenzie
Producer: Katie Holden 
Editors: Katie Holden & Nick Wingate

Mark and Katie had the pleasure of speaking with Idol’s pot of gold, Damien Leith, winner of Season 4. Since winning Idol, Damien has released nine studio albums, four of which hit the top two of the ARIA charts. 
Upon winning the show, Leith signed a contract with Sony BMG and his debut album The Winner’s Journey broke records, becoming certified platinum four times. However, Damien barely saw a cent from this album as it was completely owned by Fremantle. Damien talks about the anguish he experienced in coming to terms with this. He now lives in the country town of Scone in NSW doing breakfast radio and being a dad. He’s also working on a feature film inspired by living in the Hunter region. 
CREDITS: 
Hosts: Katie Holden & Mark Holden
With thanks to our guest: Damien Leith 
Producer: Katie Holden 
Editors: Katie Holden & Nick Wingate

On this episode of Our Idol Archives, Mark and Katie speak with Cosima de Vito, who placed third in the first season of Idol. Cosima shocked the nation when she left the show early due to nodules. Mark and Katie talk to her about the stigma surrounding nodules at the time and how scared Cosima was of losing her voice permanently. 

At 25-years-old, going on Idol was the first time Cosima left home.  Coming from a  strict Italian family, Cosima had to come out of her shell and she recounts the challenges that came with this new experience.  Since Idol, Cosima has recorded an album of songs written by Diane Warren, who had been a lifelong Idol of hers. She tells Mark & Katie about the challenges that came with publishing this record independently with the help of her family. 

CREDITS: 
Hosts: Katie Holden & Mark Holden
With thanks to our guest: Cosima De Vito 
Producer: Katie Holden 
Editors: Katie Holden & Nick Wingate