THE DOZEN or so years he spent performing for empty venues before his luck turned last November, when he won M-Net’s sixth season of Idols, were by far the hardest faced by amiable hit singer Elvis Blue.
That’s the word from the earthy, genuinely likeable 31-year-old, born Jan Hoogendyk in George, who is lapping up every minute of a success story that gained momentum when his debut, eponymous album acquired gold status within 29 days of release last year.
He is delighted at finally having been tackled by fame – and equally happy to be in KwaZulu-Natal again, having been scheduled to perform yesterday at the Pumpkin Theatre at La Montagne, Ballito, and been lined up to perform tomorrow on Shelly Beach’s main beach as part of the Shelly Beach Ski Boat Festival.
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“Nothing is harder work than performing for empty chairs,” says Blue, looking back on his early years of trying to get his foot in the door to a music career.
“I am very lucky that things are going better these days. I am enjoying every second… and this doesn’t feel like work at all,” he says with a broad smile.
Things are certainly going well for Blue who was last in Durban in February, when he performed at Sibaya Casino near Umhlanga. He is about to launch into a series of concert dates, having been booked for 25 performances across the country this month.
“I have always believed the best way to thank people for their support is to make sure you perform in their town,” he says, pointing out that he is proud of his debut album sales and extends thanks to everyone who bought the collection, which contains his successful debut single, Things My Father Said.
Blue is also writing and recording new material, he says, adding that his second album “is coming along… slowly but surely”.
“We hope to release it in the first part of next year. At this stage we have just released the third single from the current album, called Save Me. We also recently shot a live performance video of the song which will be aired soon,” he adds.
Other news is that Blue and his wife, Cherize, are trying for a brother or sister for their small daughter, Lila.
Home these days for the family, he says sadly, is Joburg, “very far from my beloved George”.
Audiences
Ask him about his longterm plans and he replies: “My ambition has always been to write and perform great music. To perform my music for large audiences and to sell a few albums in the process… that remains my dream.”
He does add, however, that that dream includes the hope of collaborating with some great acts.
Three of his favourite artists are Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Bruce Springsteen and Johnny Clegg and he says he would “just love to hear them on one of my tunes”.
Before Idols, Blue taught guitar and worked with underprivileged children in his home town. In his audition for Idols, he said he took the name Elvis Blue in tribute to a special young friend of that name, a former student who had died of Aids at the age of 12.
“He always told me that his big dream was to be a musician one day. I always told him he had the coolest name on Earth if he wanted to be a musician,” says Blue.
Among his prizes for Idols, a contest which saw him attract 64 percent of the viewers’ vote, beating L’loyd Cele of Durban, Blue won R250 000 and a record deal, as well as a car and R50 000 worth of music equipment.
In an unprecedented gesture of friendship, Blue and Cele had decided before the results of the final show to share the cash prize equally.
Blue’s thoughts on the current crop of M-Net Idols hopefuls?
“ Idols is really such an entertaining show… and I must tell you that I still get extremely nervous just hearing the Idols jingle.
“There are some amazingly talented people on this year’s show, and I look forward to seeing what will happen. There is something captivating about watching dreams come true.”
His advice for Idols wannabes is simple: “Just enjoy the music. That’s what it’s all about.”
Blue, who says he would love to do more surfing if he could find the time in his increasingly hectic schedule, is currently on the big screen in the local candid camera movie, Ek Joke Net.
He prefers not to reveal too much about how he was pranked, so as not to spoil the fun for fans that see the film, but does point out that “they got me really bad! It’s hilarious!”
l Although it is all a bit hush-hush at the moment, fans can look forward to soon seeing Elvis Blue on a new television series that will have him teaching guitar to youngsters. Watch this space!