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Idol star signing concert 'coup'
[b]by Greg Taipari - Eastern Bay News | 21st January
He may have won Australian Idol but Stan Walker is ours.
And Whakatane fans have the opportunity to catch a glimpse of the singer in action at a free concert in Rotorua.
Walker will be performing at this month's Lakeside concert after confirmation from his mother and manager, April Walker.
Getting the Kiwi singer signed up for the annual outdoor concert is a major coup for organisers and, says Mrs Walker, the youngster is excited about being involved.
Lakeside's "Hollywood Comes To Vegas" organiser, Monty Morrison, said he was rapt when Walker's manager confirmed the star would be attending the event.
"Obviously, we are elated and thrilled that we have been able to secure an artist who is ranked number one in Australasia.
"We have never been able to achieve this before."
Mr Morrison said it was through the goodwill of sponsors and the credibility of the event that the organisers had been able to secure Walker's commitment.
"I'm thrilled for all those former acts who have performed in the past. They have added mana to the show and that is why we have been able to get {Walker}."
Walker lived in Tauranga before his family moved to Hamilton and then Australia.
Walker, who has spoken publicly of his abusive childhood and battle with alcohol, was a perfect fit for the event, Mr Morrison said.
"He is a perfect role model. He is a young achiever who has had a hard life but is now successful."
The idea to invite Walker came from a meeting when staff member Kim Billington, who had watched Australian Idol, suggested it would be "wonderful" to get Walker to perform in Rotorua.
Mr Morrison said organisers contacted Mrs Walker in December and she confirmed last week that her son would be at Lakeside.
Mrs Walker said Walker was excited to be asked to perform at Lakeside and was busy rehearsing.
"He's pretty excited and looking forward to the concert."
He was also asked to perform in Manukau the weekend after Lakeside but wanted to be closer to his home town so chose Rotorua, she said. He would perform his hit single Little Black Box, Prince's Purple Rain and a couple of his own songs.
Lakeside 2010 committee chairman Ian Edward said having Walker perform was a big coup.
"It gives hugh credibility to the event - even the professionals realise it's a great place to launch a career."
General admission to the January 30 concert is free but there are also seats available in front of the stage and demand for those is expected to be greater with Walker now confirmed.
Last year, more than 20,000 people attended, the biggest crowd since the event's inception in 1997.
Tickets for Lakeside cost $25 and can be purchased at Ticketmaster at the Rotorua Convention Centre or online at www.ticketmaster.co.nz.
credit source:
[b]Eastern Bay News | by Greg Taipari | Thursday 21st January
Hope Ive done the credit source properly. This news article was in my local newspaper, and I couldnt find it online to link to it, so just typed it straight into here. Hope thats alright.
[b]by Greg Taipari - Eastern Bay News | 21st January
He may have won Australian Idol but Stan Walker is ours.
And Whakatane fans have the opportunity to catch a glimpse of the singer in action at a free concert in Rotorua.
Walker will be performing at this month's Lakeside concert after confirmation from his mother and manager, April Walker.
Getting the Kiwi singer signed up for the annual outdoor concert is a major coup for organisers and, says Mrs Walker, the youngster is excited about being involved.
Lakeside's "Hollywood Comes To Vegas" organiser, Monty Morrison, said he was rapt when Walker's manager confirmed the star would be attending the event.
"Obviously, we are elated and thrilled that we have been able to secure an artist who is ranked number one in Australasia.
"We have never been able to achieve this before."
Mr Morrison said it was through the goodwill of sponsors and the credibility of the event that the organisers had been able to secure Walker's commitment.
"I'm thrilled for all those former acts who have performed in the past. They have added mana to the show and that is why we have been able to get {Walker}."
Walker lived in Tauranga before his family moved to Hamilton and then Australia.
Walker, who has spoken publicly of his abusive childhood and battle with alcohol, was a perfect fit for the event, Mr Morrison said.
"He is a perfect role model. He is a young achiever who has had a hard life but is now successful."
The idea to invite Walker came from a meeting when staff member Kim Billington, who had watched Australian Idol, suggested it would be "wonderful" to get Walker to perform in Rotorua.
Mr Morrison said organisers contacted Mrs Walker in December and she confirmed last week that her son would be at Lakeside.
Mrs Walker said Walker was excited to be asked to perform at Lakeside and was busy rehearsing.
"He's pretty excited and looking forward to the concert."
He was also asked to perform in Manukau the weekend after Lakeside but wanted to be closer to his home town so chose Rotorua, she said. He would perform his hit single Little Black Box, Prince's Purple Rain and a couple of his own songs.
Lakeside 2010 committee chairman Ian Edward said having Walker perform was a big coup.
"It gives hugh credibility to the event - even the professionals realise it's a great place to launch a career."
General admission to the January 30 concert is free but there are also seats available in front of the stage and demand for those is expected to be greater with Walker now confirmed.
Last year, more than 20,000 people attended, the biggest crowd since the event's inception in 1997.
Tickets for Lakeside cost $25 and can be purchased at Ticketmaster at the Rotorua Convention Centre or online at www.ticketmaster.co.nz.
credit source:
[b]Eastern Bay News | by Greg Taipari | Thursday 21st January
Hope Ive done the credit source properly. This news article was in my local newspaper, and I couldnt find it online to link to it, so just typed it straight into here. Hope thats alright.
someone better be their to record that ...kiwi?lily? Krysta? Laney? LOL when is this?
haha and this is by far the most exiting cus it's some of his *own* songs 
LINDA...all Im saying is...its my birthday too...hehe...and its a damn busy week...and I already had my stanly prezzie lastweek...but hell..I gotta go...so its a yes/yes....OMG...my hubby will divorce me...I keep saying Stan and he rolls his eyes...like a pukana
This is definately a tricky one...omg..
.. and I'll bet someone in Rotorua will have their camcorder at the concert, and they'll upload!! Postive thinking...and crossing fingers and toes ..hahaha 
I dnno which signing she's going to tho
