Idol's Rex Goudie releases album
By YURI WUENSCH -- Ottawa Sun
Canadian Idol runner-up Rex Goudie says he always thought he'd end up in Alberta ... only as a mechanic in Fort McMurray.
"I thought I would end up here this year," says Goudie. "Four or five buddies I graduated with are living in Lloydminster and Fort McMurray. I was actually in university taking mechanical engineering. Then my cousin dared me to try out for Canadian Idol ..."
And now the 20-year-old native of Newfoundland is on a cross-Canada tour promoting his new album, Under the Lights, which is out this Tuesday.
Goudie made a stop in Edmonton to promote it last week.
The move from greasing the wheels to standing in the spotlight is, as one might imagine, is "like night and day," Goudie says.
However, even if he wasn't pursuing a career in music, Goudie says he'd be content to tinker as a mechanic. That might be comforting should his tour bus break down.
"What I loved about being a mechanic is that you do a good, hard day's work and you feel good about it. I always wanted to work hard, anyway. It's the way I was brought up. I don't mind a little wear and tear."
As such, being whisked into the music industry's machinery hasn't required much adjustment for the diligent Goudie. His album's release is a scant two months or so since Idol finals wrapped up, and his promotional tour has also been hectic. Goudie says he hasn't minded it a bit.
"The professionalism of everyone involved has helped. I've been learning so much from everyone I've worked with so far. They all want to see you do well."
Goudie does take exception to the fervour of some of his fans, however - particularly those who call into question who's better: Goudie, the Idol runner-up or first-place winner Melissa O'Neil.
"That just bugs me when people are like that," he says.
"The way people are in Newfoundland is that they're really supportive of you, but they have been going slightly crazy over me. Melissa did her thing, she won and she deserves it. Everybody in the top 10 really stood behind one another."
Goudie and O'Neil will show their solidarity on tour, performing together at the Jubilee Auditorium on March 3.
Less concerned with living up to expectations, the polite young man from the small town of Burlington (population 350 - the other 50 are in Fort McMurray, Goudie jokes) only wants to remain true to himself.
"I got four of the co-writes on the album, and even the songs I didn't write I could relate to. But that's the way I feel about music in general - it's just what you like. Everybody's got a niche somewhere."
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