Week Eleven

Hey guys,

I can’t believe I made it to the Top Two. It’s been my goals from the word go, but not exactly my expectation. You awesome people got me this far, so I’m gonna give up on thinking I’m gonna get less votes.

I reckon we can win this, but most of all, it’s been the funnest and most rewarding time of my life. I hope you guys have had as good a time watching the show as I have helping make it.

We’ve been absolutely flat this week with about seven songs to learn, three or four stages to work, clothes to prepare and not to mention the little interviews and things we’ve got to do along the way. Me and Wes are both looking forward to Christmas where we’ll have about a month off with the families, but for the winner, there will be no time for at least another month, for we’ll be thrown straight into the studio to start work on the single and a couple of new tracks, and our first music video. We’re big-time excited either way, because as hard work as it will be, we’ll be able to get it just right and won’t have the stresses of live TV.

If I come second, I’m gonna knuckle right down and see how I go at writing some songs. I’ve never written before, how do I know I can’t do it unless I try?

I’m thinking fairly hard about touring early next year, singing some of my favourite songs and some from the show for you guys, and hopefully some of my own.

Once again I can’t believe I’ve made it this far; when I auditioned it seemed like forever away, and forever never comes. But here it is, and the auditions seemed like yesterday.

If you want something in life, you have to go for it, no matter what because you only live once and it’s not for a very long time. My little story is living proof that if you follow your dreams, anything can happen.

I’m so glad you guys have been able to share this journey with me, and if I could I’d do it all again.

But bring on 2009, cuz we’re gonna be bigger and better….

Luke

Week Ten

Hey guys,

Sunday night went well. I sang my best. Didn’t know if it was good enough to stay in the competition until Monday. The four of us were all ready for anything. As it turned out, Teale got the bullet, but he’s gonna be in town this week to start working with us on our Grand Final show.

Me, Teale, Mark and Wes probably had the best week since Idol began in 2008; just us four guys. We all had a lot in common, and we’re all here for the same purpose.

When I got voted into the Final Two last week, I’ve probably never been happier, just knowing that the pressure was off for the night and I’ve got the chance to have a crack at trying to get into the Final Two, which has been my dream from day one. There’d be nothing greater than to win this thing, but it’s just an honour to be still here with Mark and Wes, cuz if I was watching them from home, they would have been my favourites from the word go.

This week we worked with Tina Arena, which was interesting, because we come from two completely different walks of life, from what I could gather. She wanted me to not be so lazy with my diction, she wanted to be a more emotional person, and show more vulnerability in my songs, and she also asked me if I really wanted to be here. Those three questions made me think. She also asked if I could show some light and shade in my voice - I hope all of you people realise that I’ve been working at that since day one. I think Tina’s a beautiful person and a great singer, but I don’t think I’ll see her in the front row of any of my concerts to come.

We’ve got four songs to work on for this week, in case we get picked for the Final Two. So, we’re very busy arranging music, saving our voices, and remembering lyrics, I hope you awesome people enjoy the songs that I’ve chosen.

2008 has been the greatest year of my life.

Enjoy the show,

Luke

Week Nine

Hey guys,

Who would have thought Final 4, hey?

Things are heating up around here but at the same time, they’re more laidback. With us four boys, we all enjoy the same things: our music, our laughs, our barbies and our grog.

We feel more like a band now than a competition. We’re still aware that someone will be going home after the weekend but we’re all extremely happy to have gotten this far, and we’ll probably be mates for a very long time, no matter what happens.

We’ve come to the point that we believe we’re all good at different types of music and sometimes we sound great singing the same things together. It’s a time of my life I will never forget.

My little man Jordan is going well. He’s in a little cot now, and he’s getting excited about his dad coming home soon. I’ve got a fair bit of catching up to do. But my time away so far has been very well worth it, we’re a very happy little family, and when you think about it, there army  many great fathers in the army or at war, that don’t have the choice to be with their kids for a long time. So we’re very lucky that it’s not a long time to be apart from each other.

We went to the Westmead Children’s Hospital this morning and met a heap of great kids that love the show, and are in high spirits. I’m very grateful that I’m able to do this as part of the competition - it gives me a chance to go and cheer people up, especially the kids, and there’s nothing better than brightening up their day. We played them a couple of songs, and we didn’t want to stop. Time is short and our schedules are busy, and hopefully after this thing they can hear and see a lot more of us.

Chris Isaak’s coming tomorrow to work on our American hits, which is gonna be another honour – the man is cool and knows how to sing. I love his bluesy ways. I reckon I’ll pick up some handy tips from him. I can’t wait to meet the bloke.

It’s getting exciting now; hope I don’t let yas down.

Party on. Thanks for getting me this far.

Peace.

Luke.

Week Eight

Hey everybody,

Here I am again. Scraped into the Top Five by the skin of my teeth. It was a nervy but deserved feeling. The Top Three deserved to be there, and we tried our best. Out of us Bottom Three, it was just unlucky that Ro had to go - could have been either of us. We’re all gonna miss her – she was a sweetheart, and a very talented woman with her music. Can’t thank you guys enough for voting, I’d love to hang around for a couple weeks yet. Things are heating up - it could go either way.

I had good fun singing “Honky Tonk Woman” - the band was awesome, and I’ve always loved that song. But with the Stones there was so much to chose from, I can’t wait to learn a few more of them for when I get home.

It’s funny walking around down the beach or at the shops - we’re always looking over our shoulder, waiting for our mates to come catch up. It takes some getting through our heads that there’s only five of us now. We did always know the way this thing worked. But nothing can prepare you for the surprises this machine throws at us.

We’re having a barbie tonight with Brian McFadden. I’ve heard he doesn’t mind a grog, so we should get on well. He’s Irish too Baz! He might know your mob.

I hope you like what I’ve done with the song this week – I’ve seen the judges praise people for changing stuff and seen them get cranky about it too, so I have no idea what’s in store for me, all I hope is that it sounds good enough to hang around for the Top Four.

Peace you guys. Enjoy the show.

Luke.

Week Seven

G’day all,

We’ve put a Top 10 CD out, just us, the Top 10. Should be out soon. It’s pretty much our favourite song we’ve sung in the competition. It was my first go at recording anything – got to see how it all works. I sang through my song three times, then they take out the best bits from each run through and stick them all in the same track. It’s amazing watching the boys do it. I didn’t have to change much; some of the bits we did change definitely did make a difference. I love the recording studios – you get a good sound, with no nerves, no nothing, you just concentrate on the song and the way it sounds. And if you don’t like it, you just do it again until you get it right.

I enjoyed Motown night – especially seeing you guys kept me in the competition. I could have done a much better job singing “My Girl”, but I could have done a worse job too. I was just a bit brain-dead! I didn’t mean to be – last minute nerves and a slight lack of concentration – but hopefully I’ll get the chance to sing it again one day.

We’re all missing Sophie, she was always funny and great to have around. I loved her style of being able to change any song in the world and make it her own. One good thing about her leaving the show is she can go to town on her own music now, which is where her heart and soul is.

Tamworth was good. I think everyone will agree that the flight on the way down could have been a bit smoother - we had to fly through a couple of storms. The descent into Tamworth was pretty rough. Ricki-Lee told me not to worry. She flies all the time, she’s seen it all before. Then our plane decided to drop out of the sky and she grabbed onto me like a Koala Bear, and I thought, ‘This isn’t right!’ We were all very pleased to land safely.

Wes Carr showed the true spirit of rock ‘n’ roll. After having a huge night on Tuesday night, then catching our bumpy plane ride to Tamworth, when we landed we ran down the aisle and made it safely into the toilet. Then he got up on-stage in Tamworth and did a hot performance.

Looking forward to Stones night this Sunday, thanks for all your support, hope I keep rocking for ya.

Luke.

Week Six

How’s it going guys,

Lots of people already know, but you wouldn’t believe it, I’m finally a dad! I thought I had everything under control and was expecting him to be born on the 23rd of December – as it turned out, he’s more like his mum and dad than I ever expected, because he was bloody impatient and decided to see the world on Monday, the 13th of October. He weighed 3 pounds 13, looks like his mother (thank god), and he’s as strong as a bull.

It’s been a big couple of weeks, what with the signing in Melbourne, the Nickelodeon awards, then straight home to the Sony Charity Ball, where I got to meet Shannon Noll backstage before he performed. He did a top job.

The next day was show day for us, and I mustn’t have done too bad at ‘Are You Gonna Go My Way’, seeing as I’m still here writing to you guys. Can’t thank youse enough for your votes, and hopefully I’ll do you all proud with my Motown song this weekend, that I’m gonna dedicate to my beautiful girl, Brooke Rodger.

Guy’s helped me use a softer side of my voice, but not change it, in the sense that you’ll still know it’s me singing. If I can look after my voice this week, I should be able to do exactly what he told me.

Looking forward to Sunday guys – I’m off to look at some photos of me boy.

Have a good one,

Luke

Week Five

Hey guys,

Still here, and lovin’ it! I’m missing Madam - she was one of my best mates, but at least now she can get stuck into her sort of music, and rip it up.

It was a big shock to see the three girls in the Bottom Three, especially Chrislyn, cuz she’s just been pumping from the word go. And Roshani’s rehearsal, which I got to see before the show, I thought was absolutely amazing. But due to me having my headphones in my ears, trying to get my own song right, I didn’t hear her performance. But it was still a massive shock to see her in the Bottom Three.

It’s great when you don’t get called for the Bottom Three - you get to sit down and pretty well enjoy the show. There’s a wave of relief that goes over you as soon as your name isn’t called out - I guess my turn will come, sooner or later!

But it’s still a really good way to have another crack at your song if you made any mistakes… like I did in my Abba rehearsal! What happened was, I lost focus as soon as the band kicked in, and left the whole first verse behind. And then, of course, the camera boys were on me like flies, asking me what went wrong and how I felt about closing the show with that song – am I gonna remember the words, blah blah blah. And all I said was, if I dwell on it, and get interviewed about it too many times, it’ll be the only thing playing in my head and I’ll forget the whole lot of the song altogether! If you screw up in a rehearsal the worst thing you can do is think about it too much, you’ve just gotta focus more on the job you need to do. Which is what I did… almost – ha ha.

This week’s Rock Week – it’s gonna be just as fun as any other week. Me and Mark feel the pressure a little bit because people keep telling us we’ve got rock voices, so we feel we’ve gotta perform every bit as hard as what we have in the past, if not harder to meet the expectations. But it should be a great night.

Thanks for your support guys. Rock on!

Luke

Week Four

G’day everyone,

Another beautiful day in Sydney – it’d be good to be at the beach, but instead we’re in this sweet little studio – air conditioning’s working well.

This week’s been pretty laidback, which is good as I need plenty of time to work on this Abba masterpiece. It is a bit of a challenge because I don’t listen to Abba much – compared to something like Chisel, which I hear all the time. Certainly I’ve never sung it before, let alone having to sing it good enough to stay in a competition. But as hard as we’ve been working on the music, nothing is as hard as what the boys would be doing back home right now – up real early, shearing all day and home late at night. I’m not missing the sheds yet!

My voice wasn’t as bad as people made out, but it would have been pretty embarrassing if it didn’t reach the high notes I went for, which was the problem in the warm-ups. My vocal chords were tired, if not a little strained. I needed some proper warm ups and exercising before I went onstage. I like singing things that are punchy and with a bit of volume, but like Darren says, doing things that way is probably gonna have a cost. They wanna send me in tomorrow to get my throat checked out – not sure if it’s necessary but I appreciate the offer and I’ll take any advice I can get.

Honestly thought I’d be watching Tom leave from my loungeroom, never thought I’d still be here after he left. But each of us have a flight to catch –when is up to you guys. Hope all is well Tommy, and God bless you all for voting.

See ya on Sunday,

Luke.

Week Three

The beginning of the week was hard cuz we lost little Brooke. She was the most loving little down-to-earth person with a brilliant voice, and she was taking notice of what the judges were telling her. We all thought she had a lot more to offer, and saying that, she wrote me a letter saying that I’m never gonna get rid of her, so I’m sure we’ll catch up soon.

“Jack and Diane” was chopped up fairly savagely to fit all my favourite parts in there, so I had to fill the gap with something that led to my little stroll offstage. It was a last minute decision that everyone reckoned was pretty cool. I’m glad I never tripped over one of those hundred cords that were lying around – it can get pretty hectic on the floor.

This week’s been pretty quiet apart from meeting up with Darren Hayes, and working on our next song with him. Darren’s a great Aussie bloke, and had some real good ideas about how I can breathe easier through a performance, and he reckoned I reminded him of his brother – he reckons I’m the spittin’ image. So me, Daz and his brother are catching up for a grog so I can meet the bloke. Always a pleasure to meet someone just like me – ha ha. He also told me to lay off the beer and the food after 8pm because it gives your body time to digest everything because if you don’t, your gut acids can play with your voice. His advice really made sense so I’m gonna work on those things.

Was talking to Brooke last night – my Brooke – she asked what I was doing, and I told her I might take a walk down the beach. She said, ‘I think you should stay away from the beach’, because of that photo last week. Then she laughed, and said, ‘As if you will!’

Thanks again to everyone whose voting for me – this Sunday’s gonna be great. It’s one of my favourite songs so I hope I do it well. 

Luke.

Week Two

G'day everyone,

We had our first Final 12 performance last Sunday. Watching the others perform was like getting into a great concert for free. I was pretty comfortable with my song. It’s one I listen to all the time, and I think it went OK. The band had fun with it – I love hearing their music when they’re excited about something. I wish I could take 'em home with me when I'm done!

The judges' comments were all pretty good, which makes me happy because I’ve never really been judged before with music or anything. I wanna hear their comments and I wanna get better. If people with experience want to tell me what to do, I’m going do it. Dicko asked if I was gonna keep my little beard on, and I reckon if youse keep voting me in, I just might lose it in a couple of weeks. That’s gonna feel weird!

Monday night's verdict show had me on the edge of me seat. I don't usually warm my voice up before a song, but I was all warmed up and ready to go. It blew me away when I wasn’t in the Bottom Three, especially when James told me before the show that he asked about ten girls if they liked Joe Cocker, and they said, "Joe who?"

We had to do a gig at the Westpoint Blacktown Shopping Centre, and I wasn't expecting what we walked into. There were about 1,000 people there and they lifted the roof when us guys walked out. When little Tom walked out, we couldn’t even hear each other from about a foot away, they went that spastic. The rest of us were laughing our heads off!

Last Saturday we had The McDonalds Charity Ball, which was unreal. We got to suit up, were wined and dined, then performed for another packed out audience. They kept asking us if we were gonna get back up after our first song cuz they loved it so much, but we had to head home about 9pm to get ready for our show the next day.

We’re getting more and more noticed now up the streets, which is a little bit weird but it’s bloody exciting - everyone’s been so nice. We don’t watch much TV in the house so we haven’t realised how much airtime we must be getting.

We’re all looking forward to ‘80s night this week; I chose one from '82, which was a good year. Who would’ve thought I’d be live on-stage doing a song that was in the Top Ten the year I was born.

Just wanna thank everyone out their whose voting for me – hopefully I’m gonna get better and better and keep the classics rolling in.

Peace out dudes,

Luke.

Ps. Hey Brookey!

Week One

G’day everyone, this is Luke Dickens.

Well I’m sharing a room with Wes in the biggest house I’ve ever seen, which is great because he doesn’t snore and he’s good to listen to. We’ve been helping each other out with a few tunes. Everyone else has been great in the house, co-operating and getting on well.

Last night we had a couple of quiet drinks over dinner, and looked back over the auditions – everyone had a few funny stories to tell. We also had a bit of a jam on the guitars and bit of a sing-a-long.

I went for a walk this morning to the shop to get a pie, and got lost on the way back in a maze of mansions; it’s the sweetest street I’ve ever seen!

Seeing we drank Jonny’s beer last night, it’s my shout tonight, so that’ll be my exercise for today – walking up a steep hill with a carton of beer and couple of bottles of Coke for Tommy!

It’s been a chillin’ day, and we’ve had a bit of time to work on our next songs and un-pack our stuff. We’re all starting to feel pretty much at home.

We’ve all had positive attention from people bumping into us on the street, and we’ve been enjoying that so far. No one has had a bad word, and we hope we can keep all you guys happy in the future.

Peace,

Dicko.