Saturday, May 16, 2009

Meet Straalen!

Straalen McCallum, a 10 year old from Australia with a soul as big as his voice, is truly one of the best up-and-coming young singers of our time. Truly ambitious and positive, he is also the youngest ambassador of the non-profit charitable organization the Zig Zag foundation, dedicated to helping children in need.

I was able to ask him a few questions, and this wonderful young gentleman responded kindly.

What got you started in your musical career?
Hi tony!
I started singing blood,sweat, and tears songs around the house when i was about 5 years old and dad said I sounded good. So David Clayton Thomas was my hero. I also sang "Whiter Shade of Pale" and other songs abut the same time and the teachers at school got me to sing all the time at assembly.


What genre of music do you tend to like/sing?
Now I like listening to just about anything like cool jazz and soul, and I love singing the old Frank Sinatra and Bobby Darren ballads.

How do your parents feel about your singing career?
Dad and mum are really good and help me heaps with my singing. They send me to the world's best singing teacher, Venetta Fields. She has sang with the Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, Aretha Franklin, Doobie Brothers, Steely Dan, Boz Scaggs, Barbara Streisand and all the best bands ever! She once sang in front of 87,000 people in central park! She is a legend and is very strict.

What do you see yourself doing in the future?
I WILL BE THE NEXT ROBBIE WILLIAMS!!!! I only want to be a superstar!


If you could give advice to other young artists trying to make a name for themselves, what would you tell them?
My advice to others is to know exactly what it is you really want and do everything you can to make it happen. It takes hard hard work. I get up at 5.30 EVERY morning and practice singing. You have to be very strict with yourself. I love it so it's not hard for me but sometimes I would like to sleep in. Dream big and follow your dream. I have that written all over my wall.

Thanks Tony!!!!
Straalen


No, thank you Straalen!


(Be sure to watch in High Quality!)

Enjoy.

5 comments:

Alicia said...

Wow he's really good. That's hard to believe he's only 2 years older than my son. Amazing. How did you get to meet him?

Tony said...

Well, I actually became aqcuainted with his music through Youtube!

I told him about the blog, sent him some questions, and he responded!

That is what I love about supporting young artists, they are always so enthusiastic, soulful, and personal...and it is because of that that they are able to touch their fanbase.

Anonymous said...

A truly beautiful voice, stage presence and youngman. He will go far. Thanks for sharing Tony.

Sky Kid said...

Straalen has a wonderful voice . I wish I had that kind of voice when I was younger - trough that did not stop me for singing along with my favorite performers . Overall I am presently surprised that so many young talents start off from Australia and New Zeland - Straalen , Ethan James , Troye Sivan ...etc.
That definitely make the world turn their attention to that region of the world and should be proud of that. If Strallen works hard enough he can became even more famous that Robbie Williams - I am sure of that.

Thank you for the wonderful interview Tony .

Yours ,

SkyKid

Anonymous said...

You know Tony,Straalen really has it all doesn't he? A cute face an incredible voice and a commanding stage presence. He appears to be a genuinely likeable young man.

As for his voice, he softly delivers that gentleness and sweetness found in the innocence of the treble voice. He doesn't hammer home what should be kept a gentle touch which means he has an understanding of the emotional delivery as well as the mechanics of the song.


A true delight. Thanks for sharing this truly Celestial Voice. Catchy title to your blog too. Almost familiar.

Cheers,
bestpi