NEW SENSATION

(back row, l-r): INXS's Tim Farris, J.D. Fortune, Kirk Pengilly and Gary Beers; and (front row, l-r): Jon Farris and Andrew Farris.

With the help of a unique summer reality TV show, Aussie Rockers INXS discover a talented new front man in J.D. Fortune

On the recent hit reality TV series, Rock Star: INXS, Nova Scotia native and ASCAP member J.D. Fortune beat out 14 others to become the new lead singer of the legendary band INXS. The "American Idol" style competition aired on U.S. television throughout the summer and featured the original members of the band helping to judge performances by a group of talented contenders. The new incarnation of INXS recently released the single, "Pretty Vegas," written by Fortune, on Epic Records, and their debut tour will begin in January in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Although Fortune was three years old when the original band played its first gig, guitarist Tim Farriss was quoted as saying that Hutchence would have approved of the selection of J.D.

WHAT THEY WANT: Pictured is the original group of singer-songwriters competing to become a member of INXS: (front row, l-r) Dapha Dove, J.D. Fortune, Jessica Robinson, and Wil Seabrook; (middle row, l-r) Dana Robbins, Heather Luttrell, Brandon Calhoon, Mig Ayesa, Suzie McNeil, Deanna Johnston, Tara Slone, and Ty Taylor (back row, l-r) Neal Carlson, Marty Casey, and Jordis Unga.

Prior to the series airing on television, ASCAP reps met with the singer-songwriters who were competing for the coveted front-person position. Many were already ASCAP members and several of the show's participants signed with ASCAP as writer members. The members of INXS are APRA members who license their music through ASCAP in the United States.