ClubsNSW & TDP Partnership Paves the Way for Young Entertainers

Vocalist and musician Charlie Chech describes his first headline show at Hornsby RSL Club at just 17 years of age as “monumentally influential” — paving the way for his music career.

Now aged 19, Charlie credits the important partnership between ClubsNSW and the Talent Development Project (TDP) for giving him this first break. 

Charlie, who graduated from the prestigious TDP in 2022, sold out that first show in 2021, and this was during the height of the COVID pandemic!

Due to his popularity, he went on to hold two more headline shows in 2022 and 2023 in the Showroom of Hornsby RSL, each time filling the space with more than 300 guests.

“In my first year with the TDP, we were tasked with organising our own show, no matter how big or small, and that meant the whole process,” Charlie said.

“This meant pitching ourselves to a venue, arranging all the intricacies with the venue, ticket sales, marketing, and everything else involved,” he said.

For Charlie, there was one venue that immediately sprung to mind — Hornsby RSL Club, which was also his local club. His family had been members for years, so Charlie was a regular patron.

“I wanted to have my first big show at a local venue and Hornsby RSL was the best venue we could have ever found,” Charlie explains.

“The TDP was the best training ground I could have ever asked for, and I am very thankful to the TDP and Hornsby RSL for believing in me at just age 17.”

After speaking with the Club’s then Marketing Manager — now Chief Operating Officer — Daisy Brown, Charlie quickly realised Hornsby RSL really was a perfect fit. 

“Nothing was too hard for them and they assisted with any of our queries.”

Daisy Brown says the Club is equally thrilled about the affiliation.

“Hornsby RSL Club’s relationship with Charlie stemmed from his time with the Talent Development Project, and this partnership has since produced three successful shows in the Club’s esteemed auditorium.”

Charlie has also performed at numerous private events at Hornsby RSL Club, including Christmas parties and the Melbourne Cup function.

“Thanks to the TDP and their incredible upcoming artists, young talent has reinvigorated the live music scene in the club industry. We are one of the lucky venues who have been able to utilise artists such as Charlie to entertain members of all ages,” Daisy said.

Charlie has gone from strength to strength from that first show at Hornsby RSL in 2021. The young crooner — who honours the likes of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Bobby Darin, Tony Bennett, Michael Bublé and many more — is now steadily booked. 

He has held several sold-out shows at a variety of prestigious venues, including Sydney Jazz Club Foundry 616; Lazybones Lounge, Bar & Restaurant; and iconic Darlinghurst venue Claire’s Kitchen.

Through the TDP, Charlie was booked to perform as pre-show entertainment for classical maestro Andrea Bocelli at his Sydney show at Qudos Bank Arena, and more recently, he wowed crowds as pre-show entertainment for international classical crossover vocal group Il Divo at the Aware Super Theatre.

Charlie’s success has even reached the dizzying heights of the recording studio. He recently released his Debut EP ‘Checkmate’ (recorded at the iconic Studios 301), which is available on all streaming platforms and his website charliechech.com.

Charlie has featured on TV (Top 50 Australian Idol; Channel 9’s Today Show; ABC TV’s 7.30 Report; Channel 7’s Sunrise Program); on radio (2GB’s Ben Fordham Breakfast Show); and is regularly booked for private events, weddings, Christmas parties, and more.

In February 2020, Charlie had the pleasure of singing with International Grammy Award winner and music sensation Michael Bublé during his Australian tour in Sydney in front of 20,000 fans. Definitely a highlight of his musical career and one which Charlie will hold dear to his heart forever!

Charlie also regularly teams up with his TDP peers for a variety of events.

“The TDP was the best training ground I could have ever asked for, and I am very thankful to the TDP and Hornsby RSL for believing in me at just age 17.”

Charlie is looking forward to bringing his show to many other clubs across NSW and selling out more showrooms.

The TDP is one of the most successful development programs in the Australian music and entertainment industry and is offered free to NSW Government high school singers, singer-songwriters, musical theatre performers, instrumentalists and bands in years 9,10,11 and 12 after auditioning. 

But the program could not be offered without the financial support of the NSW Government and ClubsNSW under the Your local club banner.

As Anne Fitzgerald, TDP CEO, explains: “We are so very appreciative that we have these two long-term partners in the Department of Education and Your local club as they allow us to inspire, nurture and expand the creative talent of select young musicians, singers and songwriters and develop in them the artistry, optimism and resilience required to pursue a professional career in the performing arts.”

Peter Cousens AM is TDP’s Artistic Director, and he leads a team of mentors and consultants that delivers a valuable Schools Program with key milestones for students to develop performance and creative musical skills. 

TDP alumni include Human Nature, Sam Fischer, Angus and Julia Stone, David Le’aupepe (Gang of Youths), Morgan Evans, Brad Cox, Imogen Clark, Ashleigh Rubenach, The McClymonts, Nicholas Gentile, Jeremy Boulton, Diana Rouvas, Julie Lea Goodwin and Paulini. 

If you are interested in booking Charlie to perform at your club, contact him via email at [email protected] or phone 0414 476 962.