Teen Star Appeal Charlie Is On Song
BY LAWRENCE MACHADO
If you close your eyes and listen to Teen Star CHARLIE TCHETCHENIAN’s singing, you may think you are listening to a famous crooner.
That’s the magic of Charlie’s deep and strong voice and you forget that he is just 16 years. When he was just 15, the Cherrybrook youngster sang with his idol Michael Buble during his Sydney concert, being invited on stage by the legend.
They sang Dean Martin’s You’re Nobody Till Somebody Loves You, with Buble telling the star-struck Charlie that he had a deep voice like a man. The legend looked stunned when Charlie began singing and their duet could not have been better planned.
“Buble is so cool and he has a perfect voice,” Charlie told Hills To Hawkesbury Community News.
“I attended three of his concerts in Sydney and it was at the third when I put my hand up when he was looking for someone to join him on stage.
“This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and it was surreal.” Charlie’s mother, Annette, was also invited onto the stage after the song.
After the concert, Charlie hooked up for a year of special training with Buble’s star trumpeter, Jumaane Smith, who has also worked with legends Stevie Wonder, Quincy Jones, Herbie Hancock and Aretha Franklin. Herbie Hancock, Aretha Franklin Charlie sang with The Voice Australia finalist Masha Mnjoyan at the major Armenia National Committee fundraising gala in Sydney last November.
Charlie grew up to the sounds of Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr, Dean Martin and Buble and jazz greats, including Ella Fitzgerald, and takes after his mum’s Dad, after whom he was named.
“My Dad used to sing a lot and Charlie has got his deep voice,” mum Annette Madjarian said.
Charlie’s musical career has been boosted by the Talent Development Project, run by top artistic director Peter Cousens, after he was accepted into the 2020 batch.
You can listen to Charlie’s amazing voice at the Foundry616, Ultimo, on Wednesday, January 20 at 8.30pm and on Sunday, January 31, at Hornsby RSL at 2pm.
“The TDP has taught me so much about music, theatre, singing, composing, recording and encourages us to have our own cabaret show,” said Charlie, who has aspirations of being a journalist like his mum.
“Because of COVID, it was very tough getting my shows but we managed to get two venues. “I am super excited about the shows and a year ago, I would have never thought I will be headlining two shows with my own band.”
Charlie has been a drummer and percussionist since he was nine but took to singing only in 2019 at his Cherrybrook Technology High School’s Big Band, which performs at festivals and community events.
Last November, Charlie headlined Hornsby Council’s finale to their Friday Night Vibes online concert series, accompanied by a full orchestra.
SHOWS:
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 20: An Evening of Crooning with Charlie Tchetchenian at Founry616, Ultimo at 8.30pm (doors open 6.30pm). www.foundry616.com.au
SUNDAY, JANUARY 31: A Swinging Affair with Charlie Tchetchenian at Hornsby RSL at 2pm.
www.hornsbyrsl.com.au
