Did anyone else notice Sebastian Piggot on ‘Being Erica’ a few weeks ago?
Sebastian Piggot on ‘Being Erica’
November 4, 2009 by k369Top 10 share their holiday traditions
December 22, 2008 by k369Sheri Block, CTV.ca
“Canadian Idol’s Top 10 have been extra busy since the show wrapped up in September and are looking forward to taking some time off to relax during the festive season. From eating big turkey dinners and going snowboarding with their families to hosting annual Boxing Day hockey tournaments, the Idols have shared some of their favourite holiday traditions.
Theo Tams
Since becoming the next Canadian Idol, Theo moved from his home in Lethbridge, Alta., to Toronto, Ont., and has been on a cross-country Top 3 tour. He just released two Christmas songs on iTunes and has been busy writing songs for his upcoming debut album.
Holiday Traditions: It’s a tradition at the Tams household to travel to the mountains in Fernie, B.C., and go snowboarding.
But Theo is not under any illusions that he’ll get special treatment from his family this year because of his newfound title.
“They’ve let me know that just because I’m now the Canadian Idol I also have to come home and we still have to go snowboarding,” says Theo with a laugh.
New Year’s Resolution: “I will probably pick one maybe the day of. I’m usually not good with New Year’s Resolutions because I don’t like disappointing myself and I always don’t follow through with them.”
Mitch MacDonald
Mitch has also been on the Top 3 tour and is looking forward to getting back home to Nova Scotia and writing some songs after the holidays. He hopes to make an album in the New Year.
Holiday Traditions: It’s been a few years since all seven kids in the MacDonald family have made it home for Christmas but this year everyone, including Mitch’s sister living in the Middle East, will make the trek.
Since there’s so many of them in the family, everyone picks names and the tradition has been to make a homemade gift. One year, Mitch put his carpentry skills to use and even made his brother a guitar stool.
“It just puts a little more thought into things instead of just going out and trying to find something. It makes it a little more special,” says Mitch.
The MacDonalds also host a Boxing Day musical gig and hockey tournament.
New Year’s Resolution: “Write, write, write, write. That’s my biggest focus. That’s a huge goal for me. To try and have as much original content as I can on that first album.”
Drew Wright
Once the Top 3 tour wraps up a few days before Christmas, Drew is going to get back to working on his new band, Fall & Divide. He hopes they will have an album out in the New Year.
Holiday Traditions: Drew says he’s kind of a “down home kind of guy” and enjoys spending time with his family over the holidays and exchanging gifts. He also likes to snowboard, eat lots of good food, drink and be merry.
New Year’s Resolution: “You can always strive to be a better person I think no matter who you are, so that’s always a good one.”
Earl Stevenson
Earl has played a number of concerts since he left Canadian Idol and is planning on moving to Toronto in the New Year. He’s looking forward to collaborating with some of the former members of Idol’s Top 24 and also hopes to make an album in the near future.
Holiday Traditions: Earl says snowboarding with his family has become a tradition, as has helping his dad hang the Christmas lights. But he points out it’s nothing as extravagant as Clark Griswold’s over the top light display on “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.”
“It’s not that hard core,” says Earl with a laugh. “We just do the one big tree in our yard and do a few trims here and there.”
He also plans to perform at some Christmas parties.
New Year’s Resolution: “Stay motivated.”
Mookie Morris
Mookie has been busy playing gigs and writing songs since Idol and also plans to make an album in the New Year. He’s currently on a month-long vacation in India, where he hopes to visit Rikishesh, a yoga and meditation site where The Beatles famously traveled to in 1968.
Holiday Traditions: Mookie says it has become a tradition in his family to celebrate Christmas away from home as for the past five years he’s spent it somewhere else. But before anyone leaves, they make sure to have a big Christmas party, which he also performs at.
New Year’s Resolution: “Get more haircuts.”
Amberly Thiessen
Amberly hasn’t wasted any time getting her music career going after Idol ended and has been working on an album in New York City, which she hopes to release in the spring.
Holiday Traditions: It’s a tradition at the Thiessen household to rent a hot tub for the week. Since they’re all about family, and not presents, at Christmas, all of her siblings will be coming home and Amberly can’t wait to take a break from her hectic schedule and see everyone.
New Year’s Resolution: “I would like to sell a lot of albums,” says Amberly with a laugh. “I haven’t really thought about that. I have resolutions probably every month that I try and accomplish and most of the time they don’t get done so I just take it one day at a time.”
Mark Day
After appearing in the “Divas Do Broadway” show in St. John’s, Nfld., Mark is getting ready to make a move to Toronto in the New Year to pursue musical theatre.
Holiday Traditions: Christmas is all about traditions for Mark. On Christmas Eve his whole family goes to church, where he sings in the service. After church, everyone gets together at a family member’s house where Santa Claus comes and gives presents to all the little cousins before they go to bed. On Christmas Day, they eat a big turkey dinner and visit many of their relatives. A big Boxing Day brunch is also held every year at his aunt and uncle’s house.
New Year’s Resolution: “Go for everything. Last New Year’s, I made a resolution to take every opportunity and go with it … and then the Canadian Idol auditions came along so I just decided to go for it and here we are now. I just want to follow up on that and follow every path that comes my way.”
Sebastian Pigott
As well as working on making an album with his brother Oliver, Sebastian has been busy acting on shows like “The Border” and will even play the lead role in an upcoming Discovery Channel movie called “Working on the Edge.”
Holiday Traditions: The Pigotts have spent many Christmases in Portugal and Sebastian remembers waking up at 5:30 a.m. to watch the sun rise on the beach while eating jam sandwiches on delicious Portuguese bread. This Christmas marks the first one in five years that all his family is going to be together in Toronto.
New Year’s Resolution: “I want to relax and have more fun.”
Katherine St-Laurent
Katherine is studying Arts & Culture at Dawson College in Montreal, Que., and has been performing a number of gigs, including a show at her old school. She still has her sights set on making an album and is currently in talks with a few people about what to do next.
Holiday Traditions: Every year Katherine’s whole family travels to Saguenay Lac St-Jean, Que., where they spend Christmas Eve snowmobiling and going back to her grandpa’s house to open presents. Christmas Day is spent at her other grandparents’ house where they have a big supper with lots of food.
New Year’s Resolution: “I’m hoping to make a CD this year.”
Adam Castelli
Adam has been in the studio recording original songs for an upcoming EP, which he is hoping to release in the spring. In the meantime he’s looking forward to helping the Top 3 close out their cross-country tour in Hamilton on Dec. 22nd.
Holiday Traditions: Getting together with the family is a tradition for Adam at Christmas, as is enjoying plenty of good food. He loves catching up with old friends as well and plans to continue the newfound tradition of watching “Lost” on DVD with his girlfriend. He also plans to play a New Year’s show.
New Year’s Resolution: “Just to make sure I don’t get indulged too much over the holidays,” says Adam with a laugh. “I’ve got a soft spot for all the sweet foods and stuff like that.” “
CTV puts Canadian Idol on hold
December 22, 2008 by k369Here’s some disappointing news about Canadian Idol for next year.
“Next year, it’ll be all about dance at CTV.
A week after the popular So You Think You Can Dance Canada wrapped up its glitzy first season, the broadcaster announced yesterday it would put its other heavyweight reality talent show on a one-year “rest,” deciding not to air Canadian Idol in 2009.”
Theo Tams on 680 News
December 12, 2008 by k369680 News
Theo Tams | Friday, September 12th, 2008 Video interview
Rudy Blair talked to Canadian Idol winner Theo Tams before his win.
There are videos of Drew, Mitch, Sebastian, Mookie and Earl here too.
Also if your interested there’s an interview here too with Ed Robertson from The Barenaked Ladies talking about recording their version of the Hockey Night in Canada theme song for TSN.
December 7, 2008 by k369
The River has posted a new interview with Theo Tams.
Check it out on their video section.
Theo confirmed release date of his album, March 31, 2009 during the interview.
Theo’s New Christmas Songs
November 28, 2008 by k369Listen To Theo’s New Christmas Songs
Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home)
The tracks will be available at iTunes starting November 25.
Win the BEST SEATS to the sold out Wish Breakfast with Roger, Darren & Marilyn
Tuesday, December 9
5:30 – 9:00 am
Sutton Place Hotel – Royal Sutton Ballroom
Also performing are Canadian Idol winners
Eva Avila and Theo Tams
Tickets to this event are now sold out!
The only way in is to win. Be listening to Roger, Darren and Marilyn every morning for your chance to win the BEST SEATS in the house.
Christmas Songs by Theo
November 11, 2008 by k369Theo will be releasing two tracks to iTunes and radio for the Christmas season and one of them is an original called “Christmas Dream” that he wrote with Luke McMaster, Simon Wilcox, and Greg Johnston.
The other tune is a cover of “Baby, Please Come Home” that will have more of a funk vibe.
This is what I was hoping for, I can’t wait to hear them. I hope they’ll eventually release a whole Christmas album since I won’t be downloading them from itunes.
Top 3 Tour & Pigott Bros. Shows
October 28, 2008 by k369I just noticed on Oliver Pigott’s MySpace that the Pigott Bros. will be joining the Top 3 Tour on December 13 at The Empire Theatre in Belleville, ON (and two nights in St. Catharines).
The Empire Theatre site lists Mookie Morris as joining the concert as well.
Pigott Bros. Shows (from Oliver’s MySpace)
Oct 30, 2008 8:00 PM – Pigott Bros. @ Holy Joe’s
651 Queen Street West (at Bathurst, in The Reverb), Toronto, Ontario
Nov 7, 2008 8:00 PM 08:00 PM – Oliver Pigott Serving Charity @ El Mocambo!
464 Spadina Ave., Toronto, Ontario
E-Mail: elmocambo@elmocambo.ca – Tel: (416) 777-1777
Dec 13, 2008 8:00 PM 08:00 PM – Pigott Bros. & Top 3 Idols @ Empire Theatre
321 Front Street, Belleville, Ontario
Tickets available at the Empire Theatre Box Office, 321 Front Street Belleville, By Phone: 613-969-0099 X1OR www.TheEmpireTheatre.com
Dec 18 & 19, 2008 7:00 PM 07:00 PM – Pigott Bros. & Top 3 Idols @ Brock Centre For The Arts
Brock University, 500 Glenridge Avenue, St. Catharines, Ontario
Tix on sale @Centre for the Arts, Brock University by phone at Box Office: 905 688-5550 x3257Or toll free: 1 866 617 3257 or online at www.arts.brocku.ca
CFRB Theo radio interview
October 19, 2008 by k369Bill talks with Theo Tams, Canadian Idol 2008
Bill Carroll, Jessica Baker and Jaquie Delaney sit down with Theo Tams, this years Canadian Idol winner.
This was an interview with Theo the day after he won.
Theo Tams on National Me to We Day
October 17, 2008 by k369Me to We Day – Oct. 17, 2008
Theo is scheduled appear at 1:05 p.m. – 1:15 p.m but they are running a little behind, so if you’re reading this right now he’s coming up soon at least according to the schedule.
Watch online here.
National Me To We Day – October 17, 2008
Theo Tams – Sing on YouTube
