Rex Goudie (Courtesy Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)
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Rex Goudie is a Canadian singer, songwriter and was the runner-up of Canadian Idol 3.
Biography
Rex Goudie was born in Dawson Creek, British Columbia on November 18, 1985 and moved back to his father's hometown of Burlington, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada with his family when he was a year old. His mother was born in Baie Verte, Newfoundland. Goudie was studying mechanical engineering at Memorial University of Newfoundland as well as working as an auto mechanic part-time for his father's trucking company before Canadian Idol.
After all votes had been cast, Goudie finished as runner-up to winner Melissa O'Neil. On Thursday, April 6, 2006, she and Rex confirmed in an interview with the CTV entertainment program eTalk Daily that he and O'Neil had been dating since the third week of Canadian Idol. They have since split up.
Goudie's musical talents began in Sunday school, where he was encouraged by his grandmother to sing.
By the time he turned sixteen, Goudie had formed a band with his friends, The Purple Monkey Bomb Squad, with a new rock/country focus. The band was moderately popular in Burlington, where they played in local bars after having received written permission to do so from his Grandmother.
He was ousted from the band to make room for an older more "experienced" singer, Brandon Mitchell, when he was in grade 12.
Although he has been criticized by some of the judges for his stiffness while on stage, a sports collision injury had caused him limited motion in both knees. Goudie missed a knee specialist appointment, in August 2005, due to his progress on Canadian Idol.
Goudie is proud of his Newfoundland roots and speaks with a noticeable Newfoundland accent. He was quoted by local Newfoundland magazine The Newfoundland Herald as saying:
In September 2005, Goudie signed a major recording contract with Sony BMG. His debut CD Under the Lights was released on December 13, 2005, and debuted at #5 on the Canadian charts, selling 36,000 records in its first week. The album was certified gold in Canada 23 days after its release. In January 2006, Under the Lights was certified platinum by the Canadian Recording Industry Association. Goudie always claims that his songs are "true to himself" and that if you listen closely, they tell the story of his life. Goudie, having been inactive in the music industry for some time partook in a collaboration show with local Newfoundland band Break Em' Up! on December 4, 2008.
Canadian Idol performances
Songs that Rex performed on Canadian Idol include:
"Alive" "After the Rain" "Superman (It's Not Easy)"
Rex Goudie/Melissa O'Neil Blue Rodeo Five for Fighting
Grand Finale
Group Performance Finalists' Duet Favorite Song
"The Devil Went Down to Georgia" w/ Melissa O'Neil and Kalan Porter "Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)" "Feeling Good
Charlie Daniels Band Phil Collins Sammy Davis, Jr.
Post-Canadian Idol
On August 29, 2006, Goudie made a special guest appearance on the Top 4 results show of Canadian Idol season 4. After performing his hit single "Run", host Ben Mulroney presented him with an award for his platinum album Under the Lights.
His official biography Idolized, written by St. John's author Kim Kielley, was released in September 2006.
His second album, entitled Look Closer was released on December 12, 2006. The album made its debut at #19 on the Canadian charts, and sold over 11,000 copies in its first week. However, two weeks after its release, it fell off the top 100 chart.
In September 2006, Goudie along with fellow friend Shaun Majumder started a foundation to help raise money for medical needs in Goudie's hometown, Burlington. The Share Foundation has held several concerts, served with merchandise, and have raised over $50,000 Canadian dollars.
The following month, Goudie appeared at the opening ceremonies of the 17th annual Provincial Student Leadership Conference of Newfoundland and Labrador, hosted by Laval High School. Causing a frenzy in the youth-packed gym, he spoke about the importance of perseverance and getting involved in one's school. He showed that he was not only musically gifted, but a great public speaker as well, and graciously signed autographs after the ceremony.
In January 2007, it was revealed that Goudie would be travelling to the United States aboard a cruise ship, performing for the fans that decided to take a trip 'down south' with him.
For a week, Goudie performed hits from his new album as well older hits from his platinum album Under The Lights.
In March 2007, he won a Canadian Radio Music Award for Best New Solo Artist (CHR) of the Year.
On April 10, 2007, the Edmonton Sun and VOCM both ran articles that Sony BMG dropped Goudie from their label, due to lack of demand in Canada for him.
A Sony BMG Rep posted on the official Rex Goudie Message Board denies these rumors and says both News Stations have been contacted and requests made that the error be corrected.
On Sunday, November 25, 2007, Goudie announced on his MySpace account the news that SONY BMG had indeed dropped him. He stated:
After announcing this, Goudie quickly added that he is in Nashville working on songs for his new album. The album 100 Pages Later is expected to release in December 2010.
Guodie is also stated to be performing for St. Anthony Come Home Year/Yer (CHY).
Personal life
In early 2010, Rex travelled to Afghanistan to play for Canadian troops.
Discography
Albums
Year
Album details
Peak
Certifications (sales threshold)
CA
2005
Under the Lights
Released: December 13, 2005
Label: Sony BMG
Format: CD
5
CA sales: 100,000
CRIA: Platinum
2006
Look Closer
Released: December 12, 2006
Label: Sony BMG
Format: CD, digital download
19
CA sales: 20,000
2010
One Hundred Pages Later
Released: December 7, 2010
Label: Fontana North
Format: CD, digital download
-
CA sales: TBA
Singles
Run (2005) (Reached #1 on the Canadian Top 20 Chart and won a SOCAN #1 Award)
Lie Awake (2006)
You Got To Me (2006)
One Good Reason (2007)
Like I Was Dying (2007)
Undone (2009) (Reached #1 on East Coast Countdown)