Port Macquarie’s Chris Rose has joined the ranks of some of Australia’s most successful singers and songwriters, signing a Development Deal with Sony Music.
Chris, aged 20, will be working with Sony songwriters and producers as he builds his recording career.
The 2011 Talent Development Project (TDP) graduate said it was the best he could have wished for.
“This opportunity is so exciting,” he said.
“I’m looking forward to working with the amazing talent from Sony and am forever grateful to be given this incredible break.”
Chris’s remarkable talent has already been recognised this year, winning the inaugural SHURE Vocal Award.
Jands Audio’s Sue Mulholland, the Artist Relations Manager for Shure in Australia, presented Chris with the award at the 2011 TDP Graduation Concert at the Sydney Entertainment Centre recently.
But his latest success, Chris said, has a lot to do with radio announcer Alan Jones, along with the help of mentors Mary Lopez, Dennis Handlin and Ross Fraser.
Chris said he played Mr Jones one of his songs at a TDP board meeting and he was blown away.
The soft rock ballad Nowhere Land, which Chris wrote and recorded, impressed Mr Jones so much he did an on air interview about it.
He also put Chris in touch with Sony Music, and the rest just fell into place.
Chris said his road to success has been a passionate one.
“I’ve loved music for as long as I can remember,” the former St Paul’s student said.
“I’ve always been singing and even at school I’d rehearse with my band at lunch times and we’d do all the school talent contests and social gigs.”
And in 2010, after finishing his schooling through TAFE, Chris auditioned for the Talent Development Project and was lucky enough to score one of the exclusive spots on the team.
And now he’s proven his worth and stepped up to work with Sony Music.
Chris said he’ll be working with producers and writers and will have a demo mixed and mastered with Sony, as they fast track his talent.
“It’s awesome – the best thing that has ever happened to me,” he said.
Story: Kate Yates