Occasionally, reality TV casting directors select a true gem to be on their show. It's rare, but it happens. And when they do, the amazing thing is that being on the show doesn't end up consuming that person's identity, it enhances it.
Marty Casey is one of those uncommon people whose inner qualities really stand out. He takes a moment to gather his thoughts before talking. He speaks openly and honestly. And furthermore, he has unbelievable patience when it comes to answering endless questions about his experience being on CBS' Rockstar: INXS.
"I still kinda can't believe that I was on a reality TV show," says the 32-year-old musician, who has yet to watch a single episode. "But it's really done a lot for me, so I'm very thankful that I got the opportunity to be on it. I think it busted me out of my shell."
An estimated three-fourths of the people who watched Rockstar: INXS were rooting for Marty Casey to win. When he belted out his own heart-felt renditions of "Baby One More Time," "Creep" and "I Alone," the audience swooned. When he performed his original song "Trees," it was an instant hit. His success seemed inevitable.
"I've only been in one band my entire life," says Casey, "so when I got the opportunity to play with this unbelievable house band, be challenged by different songs, and try to take [my music] to a different level, I think it helped me progress."
In the final episode of the show, however, Casey was not selected as the new singer of the band. This did little to absolutely nothing to dampen his spirit. He and his band, the Lovehammers, promptly cut a record deal with Epic, and released a self-titled album this past January. The band has just taken a break from opening for INXS on their North American tour, and is currently planning a headlining tour that will run until the fall.
"The first leg [of the tour] was really successful," Casey says. "I mean, every gig was sold out. There was a really good response from the crowd; they all showed up early and checked out Marty Casey & Lovehammers. INXS was kicking some ass, and I thought it was a really good bill."
Casey is doing the interview while in New York for a few weeks, to create more new music. "My life's completely 100 percent music right now, which is f***ing awesome," he says.
Originally from Hickory Hills, Ill., Casey met the other members of the Lovehammers playing ball together as kids. He'd always been musically inclined, writing and performing songs for family members from a young age. When he was 15, the Lovehammers were formed.
"I've always been just dying for attention," he admits. "It initially starts when you try to make people laugh at school. I used to sing for my family. I used to be crazy in high school to get people's attention. There was a need for attention, and I think that need for attention eventually grows into something bigger. In order to get onstage, I needed to have songs, and that's the whole cycle of the need for attention."
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