One of the Sunshine Coast’s brightest talents says he hopes the region gets behind him in his quest to be the next Australian Idol.
Maroochydore’s Tyler Hammill has advanced to the top 12 of the popular TV show and says he’s now keen to go all of the way, having come so far.
“I wasn’t sure how I would go when I first auditioned,” he said.
“I’m the sort of guy who loves new experiences so I thought I would give it a go.
“But being here and seeing how it all works … I’d love to stay on the show for as long as I can.”
The 22-year-old grew up at the Cotton Tree Holiday Park – his family managed the popular campground – and said he formed close connections with people from all over the country.
“We’d see the same people each year and every Christmas it would be like a big reunion,” he said.
“I’m hoping those people are seeing me on Idol and will vote for me.”
While the judges get to pick and choose who stays and goes in the early stages of Australian Idol, it will be up to the public from now on.
Tyler, who completed all of his schooling at Immanuel Lutheran College in Buderim, hopes the Sunshine Coast community will rally behind him.
“Even though the region is growing, I still feel we are a tight-knit community,” he said.
“I’m the only person from the Sunny Coast and I’d love it if the locals backed me.”
Before auditioning for Idol, Tyler was working at the Alex Surf Club as a surf lifesaving coach, spending time with school students and showing them the ropes.
He was also performing regular gigs with his band Nana’s Pie, comprising Tyler and his schoolmates Adam and Nash.
“My first gig was at the High Tide Bar,” Tyler said of his solo performance in Mudjimba.
“I remember just before that I played a couple of songs on a cruise ship and thought I would give it a go.
“After that High Tide gig, I realised you could get paid pretty good money for performing so we formed the band and things have shot off reasonably well.”
His bandmates have been nothing but supportive of his Idol journey.
“They want me to do well but I think regardless of what happens we’ll reunite and do more gigs together,” Tyler said.
And while there might be a stigma in the music industry about reality shows like Australian Idol, Tyler said he wasn’t concerned about how he caught his big break.
“I’m putting my voice in front of potentially millions of people,” he said.
“If you think that’s a bad way of doing things you’re either jealous or insecure.
“I’m embracing it and trying to use it as a platform.
“I know that I’ve got some big songs planned if I manage to keep progressing through.”
Tyler Hammill is one of five Queenslanders who have made it through to the top 12.
Australian Idol airs on Channel 7 on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday nights.
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