Cade Lucas
More than two decades since a young Anthony Callea shot to stardom by finishing runner-up on Australia Idol, another Werribee vocalist is hoping the TV singing contest will launch his career.
Twenty five year old labourer Jackson Smith will feature in the early episodes of the show’s new season, vying with dozens of others auditioning for a spot in the competition proper.
Smith said he was well aware he was following in Callea’s footsteps saying Australian Idol was always on the television at home when he was a kid.
“As my family are massively into music, every talent show was big in our house,” he recalled, before pointing out that while he and Callea shared a hometown, artistically they were poles apart.
“I’ve always loved his voice but his music wasn’t my style,” said Smith who describes his music as more acoustic pop in the mould of Ed Sheeran or Lewis Capaldi.
Growing up in a music loving, church going family, pursuing a recording career was always something Smith had in mind and led him to contesting another TV talent show, The Voice when he was 17.
While unsuccessful, Smith gained confidence from the experience and spent the next few years writing his own songs and performing in pubs and clubs to hone his craft.
But when the end of a relationship lead to drug addiction, his music dreams were almost dashed for good.
“It was kind of just recreational drugs in 2017 and 2018 after a break-up and then the addiction just got worse and sent me to the point where I was reliant on it,” said Smith who was also a talented junior footballer and was training with Geelong’s VFL team at the time.
“That was the hardest part that I had to come to terms with. I was training with them and then coming back home and getting on the drugs. I knew at that point I wasn’t taking things seriously.”
While his football has since gone by the wayside, Smith’s music career and personal life have staged a remarkable recovery.
He now has a fiance with whom he shares a daughter and who is pregnant with another.
Smith credits their support with getting him back on stage.
“It’s kinda just put everything in perspective for me that there’s no time better than the present and I’ve had the people in my life who are closest and most important to me urging me to have another crack.”
The new series of Australian Idol began on Monday January 29 on Channel 7.
Jackson Smith is expected to appear in upcoming episodes.
