David Campbell

David Campbell
David Campbell
Background information
Birth name	David Joseph Campbell
Born	6 August 1973 (1973-08-06) (age 36)
Origin	Adelaide, Australia
Genres	Swing Musical Theatre Pop Rock
Occupations	Singer Actor Artistic Director
Labels	Sony
Associated acts	Jimmy Barnes Mahalia Barnes
Website	Official Site

David Joseph Campbell (born 6 August 1973 in South Australia) is an Australian singer and stage performer. He has performed and recorded many different genres of music from rock to classics. He is the son of Jimmy Barnes^[1].

Theatre career

David Campbell won his first major roles in the early to mid 1990s at venues including the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Theatre Company. In 1997, he travelled to New York to perform in cabaret, initially for a short run in a small cabaret room. However, after receiving glowing reviews from the New York press (Time Out New York claimed he was "creating the biggest buzz since Streisand"^[2]), he moved to the prestigious Rainbow & Stars room - becoming the youngest performer ever to headline at that venue^[3].

David Campbell's New York success led to more high-profile roles in the USA, Australia and elsewhere, including in musicals such as Les Misérables^[4], South Pacific, and Guys and Dolls - and in Cameron Mackintosh's Royal Command Performance Hey, Mr. Producer! in London. In 2000 he provided the singing voice for the character Joseph in Dreamworks' animated film Joseph: King of Dreams.

In 2001, David Campbell took the major starring role in the Australian musical "Shout!", the story of 'The Wild One' - rocker Johnny O'Keefe^[5]. This production became a cultural phenomenon in Australia, and made Campbell a household name. Since becoming a successful recording artist, he has continued to make occasional stage appearances in Australia, in musicals such as Carousel^[6] and Company^[7].

Recording career

In 2006, David Campbell released The Swing Sessions, an album produced by Chong Lim^[8], covering 13 classic swing tracks such as "Mack the Knife", "Call Me Irresponsible", "Mr Bojangles", and "Can't Take My Eyes Off You". Both this album, and The Swing Sessions 2 (released in November 2007), achieved platinum sales and charted in the Top 10 of the Australian ARIA Albums Chart^[9].

In 2008, David Campbell released Good Lovin^[10], an album of songs from the 1960s which he described as 'blue-eyed soul'^[11]. This became his third platinum album, and again charted in the Australian Top 10. A live DVD of the accompanying Good Lovin' Live tour hit number one on the Australian DVD chart^[12].

Television appearances

David Campbell was a contestant on the third season of Dancing With The Stars, where he was partnered with World Salsa Champion, Luda Kroitor. He has also featured on two series of the celebrity singing competition It Takes Two as a professional performer. He won the second series in 2007, with celebrity partner Jolene Anderson, an actress on Australian drama All Saints. The pair received several scores of 10 and received perfect 10s from all four judges on one occasion.

Adelaide Cabaret Festival

David Campbell was appointed Artistic Director of the Adelaide Cabaret Festival (the world's largest cabaret festival) in 2008^[13], and his programming began with the June 2009 festival.^[14] This festival broke attendance and box office records, becoming the most successful Cabaret festival to date^[15]. Campbell will remain as Artistic Director for future festivals.

Personal life

David Campbell's father is Australian singer Jimmy Barnes, but he was raised by his maternal grandmother, to whom he has attributed his love of swing music^[16]. Campbell has performed with his father on numerous occasions, including on an episode of Dancing With The Stars^[17] and at Carols by Candlelight[1]. They have also recorded duets for both Barnes's and Campbell's studio albums^[18][19].

David Campbell married British producer and actress Lisa Hewitt at St Philip's Anglican Church in York Street, Sydney on Saturday 29th November 2008^[20].

Awards

• 2009: South Australian of the Year (Arts Category) (nominated)
• 2009: Appointed a South Australian Business Ambassador by the Premier of South Australia
• 2008: Helpmann Award for Best Performance in an Australian Contemporary Concert - The Swing Sessions Live
• 2007: Helpmann Award for Best Performance in an Australian Contemporary Concert - Wild With Style
• 2006: Helpmann Award for Best Actor in a Musical - Sunset Boulevard
• 2005: Green Room Award for Male Artist in a Leading Role (Music Theatre) - Carousel
• 2002: Green Room Award for Male Artist in a Leading Role (Music Theatre) - Shout!
• 2001: Mo Award for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical - Shout!
• 2000: MAC Award for Special Production (with John Bucchino) - Sweet Dreams: The Songs of John Bucchino
• 1999: Variety Club of NSW Heart Award for Entertainer of the Year
• 1999: Young Australian of the Year (Arts Category)
• 1999: MAC Award for Major Male Vocalist (nominated)
• 1998: MAC Award for Major Male Vocalist (nominated)
• 1998: Mo Award for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical - Les Misérables
• 1998: Backstage Bistro Award for Outstanding Achievement
• 1997: MAC Award for Male New York Debut (nominated)
• 1995: Mo Award for Best Musical Theatre Performer - Only Heaven Knows (nominated)
• 1993: Young Achievers Award
• 1993: Australia Day Citation for Contribution to Youth Arts

Discography

Albums

• Yesterday Is Now (1997) Independent release
• A Better Place (2003) Unreleased
• The Swing Sessions (04.11.06) #7 (ARIA albums chart)
• The Swing Sessions 2 (03.11.07) #8 (ARIA albums chart)
• Good Lovin' (15.11.08) #10 (ARIA albums chart)

Singles

• "Hope" (13.06.03) #8 (ARIA singles charts)
• "When She's Gone" (19.09.03) #25 (ARIA singles chart)
• "End of the World" (23.10.05)
• "You've Lost That Loving Feeling" (with Jimmy Barnes) (29.11.08)

DVDs

• "Good Lovin' Live" (24.04.09) #1 (ARIA music DVD chart)

Special Editions

• "Keep On Lovin' (Tour Edition)" (06.11.09) - Double disc: Good Lovin' Live DVD highlights & Good Lovin' CD with bonus tracks

References

External links

• David Campbell discography at MusicBrainz
• It Takes Two official website
• David Campbell Official Myspace
• Official Website
• The Australian David Campbell Information Page