Guy Sebastian To Wed

Congratulations are in order for Guy Sebastian, who recently became engaged to his long-term girlfriend Jules Egan.

Guy broke the news (and the hearts of teenage girls everywhere) in this week’s New Idea. He told the gossip rag he proposed to his main squeeze while walking on a Queensland beach over the Christmas holidays. His lucky lady is now sporting a gorgeous white-gold ring set with 140 diamonds.

The mag reports the couple got together eight years ago after singing together at a friend’s wedding. They met through the Assemblies of God Paradise Community Church when Guy was just 13. Awww.

You can leave your well wishes for Guy and Jules on the New Idea website.

Image source: Toby Forage @ Flickr

Guy Sebastian Performs on Asian Idol

Guy Sebastian jetted to Jakarta this week to perform on Asian Idol. Apparently, this was like a mini version of World Idol (anyone else remember that?), where six Eastern nations battled for the title.

Now, Hady Mirza of Singapore won, but I figured my readers might be more interested in checking out Guy Sebastian’s duet with Indonesian Idol, Mike Mohede. The pair sang Guy’s debut single “Angels Brought Me Here.”

Guy also apparently performed a medley of hits from The Memphis Album on the show. This is great exposure for Guy, who’s set to release his new soul album in India, China, Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei. 

Kylie’s Got the "X" Factor

Kylie Minogue has burst back onto the albums charts this week with a number-one debut. Her tenth studio album X is sitting pretty at the top of the ARIA charts in a big week for Aussie artists.

Her single “2 Hearts” has slipped to number nine this week, just behind The Veronicas’ “Hook Me Up” at eight.

Kylie’s album outperformed another Aussie legend, Jimmy Barnes, who debuted at number three with Out of the Blue.

These massive albums have pushed Human Nature’s Motown tribute, Get Ready, to number five this week. They sit just ahead of Delta Goodrem’s Delta at number six.

Aussies have also claimed the last three spots in the top ten. Guy Sebastian’s The Memphis Album is at number eight, ahead of Keith Urban’s greatest hits record 18 Kids at nine, and the revamped Young Divas’ outfit at number 10 with New Attitude.

But the real surprise this week was the performance of Australian Idol Natalie Gauci’s debut single “Here I Am.” A number two debut isn’t a disaster by any means, but it’s the first time an Aussie Idol has failed to claim the top spot in its first week.

Here’s this week’s complete Aussie top 10.

Australian singles chart

  1. “Apologize” – Timbaland feat. OneRepublic
  2. “Here I Am” – Natalie Gauci
  3. “Clumsy” – Fergie
  4. “The Way I Are” – Timbaland feat. Keri Hilson
  5. “Into The Night” – Santana feat. Chad Kroeger
  6. “No One” – Alicia Keys
  7. “Hey There Delilah” – Plain White T’s
  8. “Hook Me Up” – The Veronicas
  9. “2 Hearts” – Kylie Minogue
  10. “How Far We’ve Come” – Matchbox Twenty

Australian albums chart

  1. X – Kylie Minogue
  2. Long Road Out Of Eden – Eagles
  3. Out In The Blue – Jimmy Barnes
  4. Timbaland Presents: Shock Value – Timbaland
  5. Get Ready – Human Nature
  6. Delta – Delta Goodrem
  7. Greatest Hits – Spice
  8. The Memphis Album – Guy Sebastian
  9. Greatest Hits: 18 Kids – Keith Urban
  10. New Attitude – Young Divas

Image source: Georges Biard @ Wikimedia Commons

Guy Sebastian Inspired By Stax Soul

It worked a treat for Human Nature, but will rediscovering his soul roots pay off for Guy Sebastian? Australia’s original Idol recently visited the legendary Ardent Studios in Memphis to record his soul covers album.

While Human Nature tackled the sweet harmonies of Motown, Guy Sebastian’s record will cover the grittier recordings of Stax. Think Otis Redding, Sam and Dave, Jackie Wilson, and other legends.

Guy’s enlisted a top team of talent to help him capture Stax’s sexy sound. Founding member of Booker T and the MGs, Steve Cropper, produced the album while his former bandmate Donald “Duck” Dunn lent his bass-playing prowess.

Fans can expect to hear some of these classic soul covers when Guy performs acoustic shows around the country. He plays the Governor Hindmarsh Hotel in Adelaide tonight before visiting Sydney, Canberra, and Melbourne.

Image source: DianeSunshineCoast @ Wikimedia Commons