It was wonderful recently to get to chat with young singing star Straalen McCallum. The name is pronounced as you would expect strar-len and is Dutch in origin; although the family possesses no close ties with their Dutch heritage the name chosen is infinitely suited. Straalen translates as ‘sunbeam’ and Straalen with his infectious and humble personality is a beam of sunshine. Refreshingly unaffected by the enormity of such events as singing the national anthem at Suncorp stadium before the state of origin with 53,000 thousand fans in attendance.

Straalen who rarely feels nerves, did to a little extent that day. He tells a humorous story of walking through the tunnel to the stadium with his dad. He says along the way he said to his dad, dad ‘what am I going to do?’ His dad in his wisdom said “go out and tell me what you see” and so he did and was amazed with the sight of the burgeoning masses including firemen! he ran back to his father recounting what he saw again pleading for advice his Dad put his hand on Straalen’s shoulder and said in the way only a dad could:

‘If you are ever going to stuff up a song don’t make it today’

Straalen said this comment relaxed him so he could perform.

Since then Straalen has done appearances on Sunrise, The Morning Show and Hey, Hey, it’s Saturday.

What happened that day is probably a preview of things to come as Straalen continues to gain great success in the industry. One album already and another in the making, a scheduled tour with Irish songstress Mary Duff soon to begin, and plans for more tours in the near future Straalen is busier than most 13 year olds. So busy his education is now administered online, although he is not totally out of the loop, returning to school to participate in rugby games where he can catch up with friends.

This young man has come a long way since singing as a tree in a school production, and like the sunbeams he is named after it would seem he will be beaming his talent well into the future.

Garth Porter, the piano player and song writer from Sherbet, has already written a song specifically for Straalen called ‘Father’ about Straalen’s relationship with his Dad. The song features on Straalen’s album ‘A Little Faith’. Straalen is a piano player himself and is eager to be involved in the song writing process.

Straalen has most recently visited Tasmania at last years ‘Carols by the Bay’ and Straalen told me he is looking forward to seeing more of Tasmania this time especially the beautiful countryside as he travels from Launceston and Devonport down to Hobart.

Straalen McCallum performs in concert as Mary Duff’s opening act on her Australian tour. They will play in venues across Tasmania in August. Please see below for dates and bookings.

Wednesday 17 August - BURNIE Arts Centre - 8pm - Tel: 03 6431 5918

Thursday 18 August - WREST POINT Entertainment Centre - 8pm - Tel: 03 6225 7001

Friday 19 August - LAUNCESTON Country Club - 8pm - Tel: 1300 795 257