http://www.pictouadvocate.com/

I can't wait to see this "dirty" video of Pretty
Vegas. And JD states they will be on SNL, Letterman, Regis & Kelly in November. And maybe on another show that does sound like Oprah.

What, you don't think it's Tyra? *rolls eyes*

- I tried watching Tyra's show. I really did. She's just a terrible interviewer.

Tyra has a talk show???

This is from Billboard:

INXS' "Pretty Vegas" gives the Australian-based rock act the highest debut of its career at No. 37. It's the band's first release with new lead singer J.D. Fortune, who won the slot through the reality show "Rock Star: INXS." The group's debut album with Fortune, "Switch," is due Nov. 29 via Epic.

- Not too shabby for JD's first attempt.

http://www.star-ecentral.com/news/story.asp?file=/2005/10/14/music/12301007&sec=music

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/music/4343018.stm

Hi y'all, I'm primarily a lurker so I know there are a few regulars here from the DC area. If I remember correctly an interview with JD and Tim will be aired tomorrow, Monday 10/17 at 9:20 a.m. on 107.3.

I know I remember the JD and 9:20 a.m. part correctly but I was driving and I channel surf so there's a slim chance the station might be wrong. If I can confirm the station I'll edit my post later. I won't be home to record the interview but should be able to listen and will post any new news here.

JD is so hot! im goin to see INXS play at the opening of the hollywood virgin megastore in LA im so excited!

This is from a column called Ask Billboard:

'ROCK STAR' REALITY

Keith,

I see that "The Best of INXS" recently rose to No. 1 on the Top Pop Catalog chart. Any idea as to whether the CBS reality "Rock Star: INXS" series has contributed to its ranking? The show kept referring to INXS as a rock supergroup. How has INXS done in the Nielsen SoundScan era (1991-present)?

Do you have any additional thoughts regarding whether hiring a new lead singer will help INXS achieve superstardom again?

Thanks!
Mark
Milwaukee

http://www.billboard.com/bb/ask/index.jsp

Hi Mark,

It's fairly clear that "Rock Star: INXS" had a lot to do with how well "The Best of INXS" has sold over the summer. Since the show premiered in July, the Rhino compilation has moved 100,000 units in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan. So far this year, the album has moved 130,000, which is quite impressive considering that in 2004, the album sold only 61,000.

INXS has sold nearly 4 million albums in the United States since Nielsen SoundScan began tracking data in 1991. However, the band had its biggest success before 1991 with albums like "Kick," "X" and "Listen Like Thieves."

According to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), INXS has sold more than 15 million units in the United States. Between 1985 and 1993, the group racked up 13 Billboard Hot 100 hits, including the top 10s: "What You Need," "Need You Tonight," "Devil Inside," "New Sensation," "Never Tear Us Apart," "Suicide Blonde" and "Disappear."

So far, INXS' choice of a new singer -- JD Fortune -- has turned out well. The band's new single, "Pretty Vegas," is poised to enter some of Billboard's charts this week. At deadline, it was one of the top 10 selling songs at Apple's iTunes music store.

Go to this site and click under Monday, October 17th to listen to the INXS interview

http://www.z104radio.com/index.php?nid=46

Thanks Loree! I lived up to my user id on that one! I just kept punching buttons until I landed on Z104 right before the interview started late, around 9:35.

REVERSAL OF FORTUNE
INXS’ new lead singer J.D. Fortune went from Hogtown homeless to Hollywood in just four months.
By Michelle Bilodeau

J.D. Fortune’s luck has finally changed. Only four months ago, the 31-year-old high-school dropout had very few real job prospects. Now he’s on top of the world as the new lead singer of legendary rock group INXS. “It’s an understatement to say that this is a dream come true,” Fortune said following the finale. “INXS’s albums like Shabooh Shoobah, Listen Like Thieves and Kick were a huge musical influence on me growing up. I’d listen to their songs and wonder what it would be like to be in this band. That they’ve chosen me to be their new lead singer is just mind-blowing.”

It’s an especially sweet victory for Fortune, who was struggling to make ends meet before moving to L.A. for Rock Star: INXS. His money had run out and his music career had come to a screeching halt after attempts to secure a record deal in Toronto. He even had to borrow $20 from INXS producer/co-writer Justin Gray’s brother to make it back home to Oakville, Ont. “I think my brother is still waiting for his money,” Gray tells Weekly Scoop with a laugh.

The situation looked bleak. But like a page ripped from a Hollywood movie script, the dark-haired rocker was living the high life in a luxury L.A. mansion all summer (partying with Hollywood celebs like Matthew Perry, Ellen DeGeneres, Portia de Rossi and Quentin Tarantino) and is now poised for success with a new INXS CD, Switch, coming out on Nov. 29. The now-complete rock band is set to embark on a world tour in January and Fortune’s song “Pretty Vegas,” which he co-wrote with INXS guitarist Andrew Farris during the show, is going to be the first single released off the album.

The occasionally controversial contestant quickly became known for reworking songs to suit his rock-star style, and has admitted on the show to only having six T-shirts, including the “Go F*** Yourself” one that got past CBS censors.

Fortune initially had difficulty working within a group setting and according to the band, needed to gain some focus. “He’s gotta give up the cigarettes, his voice could use some improvement,” guitarist Tim Farris (brother to Andrew) told Scoop days before the finale. “We’re looking for someone who is going to do whatever it takes and it requires discipline.” Nevertheless, Fortune fit the bill. After he’d been named the winner, Farriss praised him by saying: “J.D., you sing with passion, you’re an amazing performer and you’re great to watch.” Fortune broke down in tears.

Though there never was a clear front runner during the show, Gray – who discovered Fortune in Toronto more than six years ago – says he knew the rocker would go all the way. “A friend working on the show came to me and asked if I knew anyone good,” Gray recalls. “I told him: ‘Not only do I know someone who’s good, but I know the guy who’s going to win.’”

Fortune credits his mom, Sandra Fortune, who has been divorced from his father Craig Bennison (an Ontario native) since he was five, and his late grandfather Ralph Fortune with inspiring his career. “They are the two biggest supporters of my music,” he told Scoop during the taping of Rock Star.

There’s no doubt Fortune has earned his time in the spotlight. As a struggling musician, “I did a lot of volunteering at the Salvation Army and stuff like that. That probably karmically helped me get here.” He also finally graduated from Grade 12 right before auditioning for Rock Star – he’d quit school to tour with a band when he was in his teens. Graduating “was one of the highlights of my life,” says Fortune.

That highlight has now been trumped. And Fortune’s fans and Canadian pals couldn’t be happier. “I’m very proud of him,” says Gray, who has sold more than 25 million albums and worked with stars like Joss Stone. “Out of the thousands of artists that I’ve worked with, there are about five that stand out for me, and J.D. is definitely one of them.”

ET Canada did a very brief interview with JD at the House of Blues Saturday night. I had heard Suzie did the interview. But they must have edited her out of it. Because you never see who was doing the interview. And I heard that Suzie and Hank Azaria were making out like crazy at the HOB. Some of the DJs were laughing at them. Anyway here is the brief interview that you can download.

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=8ZXKDUY2

JD did another Canadian radio interview. One of the things he said was:

JD said he misses Canada. He is "weirded out by Hollywood. Everyone is smilin' and skinny."

JD : "Have a cookie and gather some strength".

This was a cute interview because we find out more about JD and Marty escaping from the mansion. They crawled out the bathroom window and left their mics behind. It was the only place without cameras to see them.

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=GI98YJSD

INXS are now home in Australia. But JD is not with them. He is heading back to Canada and probably is already in Canada at this time. He was suppose to be in Toronto around this weekend for awhile and then after that he is heading to see his family in Nova Scotia.

This is a radio interview where JD is asked about if there were any hook-ups in the mansion. And he responds to how Marty fans treat him.

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=K0L8EYZ8

This photo is from many years ago when JD was still with the band Juice. He also still has the Elvis sideburns. And he did not have all the arm tats yet.

Well JD is finding out what fame is like. He pretty much was driven out of Toronto. He was mobbed everywhere so he left early for the Maritimes. It all started at the airport. Then when he was out at a restaurant some rabid fans found him and mobbed him and he had to leave. His bodyguard has been standing outside his friends' homes when he visits them because of fans following him.

http://www.macleans.ca/culture/music/article.jsp?content=20051107_114765_114765

Fan-tastic Fortune!
by Meghan Lynn
NEW GLASGOW: J.D. Fortune is a man of his word.
After indicating about a month ago he was planning to return to Pictou County for “a surprise visit,” he actually showed up.
Fortune, a 32-year old former resident of Saltsprings, found fame over the summer by competing and winning the CBS reality show RockStar: INXS, which was produced by Survivor’s Mark Burnett.
Through his victory, he became the new lead singer for the Australian rock band INXS, whose original singer Michael Hutchence died in 1997.
But Fortune did more than just visit the area. He also thrilled fans, friends and family with a brief impromptu performance at last Wednesday’s open mic night at Fibber’s Eatery and Pub in New Glasgow.
It wasn’t surprising he would be seen there.
Fortune had previously praised Fibber’s through the on-line diary he maintained during the filming of RockStar, calling the Pub a great blues jam bar with beautiful staff, awesome food and "always full of talent."
A Fibber’s RockStar: INXS viewing party held on the night of the show’s finale in September drew a full house of tense, emotional fans and marked the debut of the "Pretty Vegas," a colourful cocktail named after his original composition.
Prior to Fortune’s live performance last Wednesday night, rumours of his presence were flying in the area and sightings were reported at various local businesses.
But in an exclusive media call to The Pictou Advocate Wednesday afternoon, he confirmed he really was around.
“I just wanted to let you know that I’m in town, I’m planning to play a few tunes at Fibber’s tonight,” he said.
“It’s been a great time,” he said about his homecoming so far, adding he had also just had lunch at Fibber’s with friends.
His performance later that night consisted of four songs, including Roadhouse Blues, Big Legged Woman, You Can’t Always Get What You Want and of course, Pretty Vegas, the original composition that has made him famous.
Fortune wrote the song for INXS and it has since become the first single and video for the band’s upcoming album ‘Switch,’ which will be released November 29.
His unexpected performance was flanked by New Glasgow’s Rabbit Town Blues Band, consisting of Stuart Marchand and Jonathon MacDougall on guitar, Craig MacEachern on bass and Dale Wilson on drums.
Between songs, he asked the intimate, but enthusiastic crowd how their summer went, adding he had had “a great summer.”
“Every time I was on that stage, I thought of this place,” he said.
“How about this band?” he asked the crowd, which responded with a roar.
Fortune spent the majority of the night in the V.I.P. room on the Pub’s basement level. He entered and exited Fibber’s upper-level performance area quickly, amidst the cheers of adoring fans, many of whom were friends and family.
There was a significant security presence at the Pub, including two New Glasgow Police officers, rugby players and a personal agent representing Fortune.
For the most part, Mr. Fortune declined media interviews and his representative throughout the evening explained he didn’t wish to speak independently of his band and that he just wanted to relax with friends and family.
Fortune, he continued, was now part of a family-oriented band and most interviews were arranged through his agent.
He also noted Fortune had to switch hotels multiple times since his arrival because they had been “swamped.”
His friend Karen Corbin-Hughes, who had been regularly spending time with Fortune, said he had arrived earlier that week and was hoping to just relax in the wake of the media frenzy that erupted following his win.
Originally, Ms. Corbin-Hughes added, his appearance at Fibber’s was going to be kept very quiet, but by late afternoon, he had changed his mind and told his friends to start spreading the word.
“He said, ‘Karen, call your friends. I want a line down the street,’” she says with a smile.
Constable Ken MacDonald, one of the police officers working at Fibber’s during the performance, said everything went as planned security-wise because the number of people admitted to the performance was well-controlled.
“Through the people involved with the event,” he explains, “which included J.D. Fortune’s organization and the bar owner’s organization, a police presence was requested because of his level of prestige and all the media attention he’s been getting. They took a proactive approach by having us down there, just in case.”
“The reason there wasn’t a lot of people there was because it was somewhat closed to the public. Once it got filled to semi-capacity, the doorman just closed it down,” he says, adding those who were already inside weren’t aware of the line outside.
“It was very well-handled and an excellent show,” Cst. MacDonald feels.
meghan@pictouadvocate.com

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=TK92UJET