No flash in the pan
MONIQUE CRAPPER
May 11, 2007

WOOLSTHORPE'S Axle Whitehead says he has no regrets about exposing himself during Australia's music industry's night of nights last year.

Breaking a six-month silence on the subject, Whitehead said his explicit stunt while hosting the Australian Recording Industry
Association (ARIA) awards had shown he had a personality.

``It (exposing himself) wasn't the best way to move on from that point of my career...But we learn from our mistakes,'' Whitehead said.

The Woolsthorpe jazz musician was first rose to prominence famous as a finalist on Australian Idol but is now remembered for his on-stage antics at the ARIAs.

The formerVideo Hits host presented an award to hip-hop outfit Hilltop Hoods with radio personality Jabba when he exposed himself during last October's awards night in front of more than 10,000 people including young music fans.

``A lot of presenters are too safe and not willing to take a risk. At least people know who I am now and it showed that I have a personality,'' he said.

``I maybe took it a little too far but I believe everything happens for a reason...It was definitely an interesting way to sign off.''

Whitehead's television career came to an abrupt end when rebuked by Network Ten following his publicly outrageous stunt.

Now living in Maroubra, Sydney, the 26-year-old singer/songwriter is working on a solo album to be released later in the year.

Whitehead said he was moving away from his traditional jazz sounds and described his latest music as contemporary with influences coming from Sting and Nora Jones.

Whitehead said he had made many valuable industry contacts hosting the music show which had helped him pursue his own music career.

``I was able to meet with many record company representatives and musicians. I had important contacts at my fingertips,'' Whitehead said.

He hopes to ``win a few ARIAs'' in the near future but will not bare all again on stage. ``I have a few other ideas up my sleeve instead, but I have to win the buggers first,'' he said.

http://the.standard.net.au/articles/2007/0...8390514214.html