Idol winner's album release unseen

FORMER Byron Bay student Stan Walker cannot wait for his fans to hear his first album.

And neither can he.

The 18-year-old 2009 Australian Idol winner will release his album, Introducing Stan Walker, on Friday week, but he has no idea how it will sound.

“I haven’t heard it yet,” Stan said.

“I will probably find out the same day as everyone else.”

The album will feature re-recorded studio tracks of some of Stan’s performances on Idol including Purple Rain, The Climb, Ordinary People, Superstar and his two new songs, Think of Me and debut single Black Box.

It will also include a duet with Stan’s idol and the original Australian Idol, Guy Sebastian.

To add to his success, Black Box has further launched Stan into stardom, giving him his first appearance on the ARIA music charts.

The single was ranked number two on the charts for singles and downloads this week.

It was beaten by Tik Tok from American singer Kesha Rose Sebert.

“It has been amazing, I’m really excited about it all,” he said.

“It has all been so full on.”

Stan finished filming for the Black Box music video clip earlier this week.

Stan, who is resting up at home with family in Coolangatta at the moment, is gearing up for the new year.

“I’ve just been taking the time to relax and rehearse,” he said.

Sony Music Chairman and CEO Denis Handlin, said Stan was deserving of his Idol win.

“Stan is a remarkable and gifted young performer who has shown great spirit not only throughout his life, but during the show to win this year’s series,” Mr Handlin said.

“I am very pleased that again this year we will have a brilliant album of Stan’s incredible journey from the show to release to the public for Christmas.”

Stan was born in Melbourne and was raised in New Zealand before eventually settling on the North Coast.

He said he had a troubled life surrounded by drugs and violence but credits Christianity with helping him sort himself out.