2006 Canadian Idol runner-up Craig Sharpe will perform as special guest with Roger Hodgson (formerly of Supertramp) at Mile One Stadium’s Molson Club in St. John’s, Nov. 6

Craig Sharpe, the second Canadian Idol semi-finalist from Upper Island Cove, NL, received a special invitation from Roger Hodgson, the legendary artist who mentored and performed his classic hit, Give A Little Bit, with the top 7 Canadian Idols in August. Hodgson is continuing the mentoring with this season’s 17 year old runner up. Hodgson, who began his musical career at the age of 19, when he co-founded the band Supertramp, said he appreciated the opportunity to pass on some of his experience to the young idols and wished he had a mentor when he started out in the industry.

When Hodgson appeared on Canadian Idol this summer he performed some of the hit songs which he recorded with Supertramp. Many of his songs, including Breakfast In America, Dreamer, and Give a little Bit were written when he was about Craig’s age. Others, like Take the Long Way Home and Logical Song, Hodgson wrote during the 14 years he spent building Supertramp into a world wide phenomenon that sold over 60 million albums.

During the Idol show, Hodgson felt a special connection with Craig. “My heart really went out to him…  The mentoring was way more emotional than I was expecting.  I really wanted to help and offer what I could from my years of experience.”  

When Hodgson learned that Craig’s hometown was close to St Johns, he realized it would be a wonderful way to continue the mentoring. “In this industry we don’t have mentors; if you wanted to be a lawyer, you would intern in a firm for a year or two. But in this business they just throw you in the deep end and you either sink or swim.”

Craig will spend the day with Hodgson, going through rehearsal and sound check and sharing in some of the wisdom Hodgson has acquired in his 36 years as a writer, composer and performing artist.  In the evening Craig will join Hodgson on stage to perform several of his classic hit songs.

The young idol is very happy to be invited to learn from such a legend in the industry.  “It was so amazing to meet him.  He was the one person that really touched us all so deeply with the advice he gave.  Everything he taught us made a difference, everyone was so much better for it.”

Roger Hodgson’s first National Canadian Tour in 23 years begins in Rama, Ontario October 27 and ends November 22 in Vancouver, BC.  His debut DVD, “Take the Long Way Home – Live in Montreal” was just certified platinum in Canada. 

Tickets are for the St. Johns show are $35, $55, and $75 plus all applicable service charges. Tickets are available at The Mile One Box Office, by phone at 576-7657 (toll free 1-800-361-4595) or online at http://www.admission.com <http://www.admission.com/> . For further information as well as DVD and concert reviews visit:  www.RogerHodgson.com.