INXS Welcomes Fortune, New CD

(CBS)  Over the summer, the CBS reality series "Rock Star: INXS" held a competition to find a new lead singer for the legendary band.

It all came down to two finalists: Canadian J.D. Fortune and Chicago rocker Marty Casey.

Fortune, who was "right for our band" according to members of INXS, was named the winner of the contest and became the group's new lead singer.

Fortune appeared on The Early Show with band mates Tim Farriss, Andrew Farriss, John Farriss, Kirk Pengilly and Garry Beers to talk about their new CD "Switch."

As soon as the reality show ended Sept. 20. 2005, the band was hard at work on the new CD, which hits U.S. stores on Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2005.

"In fact, the very next morning, I think, Jason and I did about 19 television satellite feeds and then straight into the — literally — straight into the recording studio to make the record," said Tim Farriss.

INXS was one of the world's most popular bands in the 1980s and '90s and has a loyal fan base. So what is it like to be the new guy?

"It's actually been quite a whirlwind to say the least," said Fortune. "But at the same time, I feel so comfortable because five brothers make up this band INXS, and you just kick back."

It took a leap of faith for the band to pick a new lead singer by virtue of a TV show. Band mates say it was originally Pengilly's idea and the entire group kept an open mind about who they were looking for.

"We actually thought about having a woman, but we ended up with Jason, here," Tim Farriss said.

Why was Fortune the one?

"Well, he's just, I guess, he wrote the song 'Pretty Vegas' during the course of the show," said Farriss. "He just seemed like he had an edge. He was a bit of a lad."

Fortune, a Canadian, joins a band full of Aussies. They all agree that there are similarities.

"We're a very small population in Canada, as well, with a large land mass and it's the same in Australia," Fortune said. "I think we enjoy the same things — barbecue, beer, sports and women."

The single "Pretty Vegas" is doing well on the charts. It's No. 1 in Canada and in the top 10 in Australia.

Leading up to the contest, the new front man was living in his car and working as an Elvis impersonator.

"I was not working at the time. I was unemployed. … I love Elvis. I grew up on '50s and '60s music until I discovered rock and roll. This was one of the first bands I discovered — or they discovered me."

Fortune, 32, was only 3 years old when INXS started out, but he grew up listening to the band.

"We were just saying they've grown up playing music together and, you know, working with each other. I feel the same way, because, you know, I grew up with them," Fortune said. "You know, when I was doing this Elvis thing, I was probably like 19 or 20 years old. That's just sort of, you know, it was cool.

"It was Elvis and (I was) trying to pay the rent. I wasn't doing it while I was in my car. I was kind of hanging out in the car. That would be weird getting out of my car in a big leather suit."

Things have certainly worked out for Fortune. But did he set out to be a member of INXS or did he just want to be a star?

"I would rather be considered like these guys — great musicians and a great star, whatever that means. I don't even know," Fortune said. "I haven't been in this game long enough. I heard a great quote: 'If you want to look like a star, stand in the middle of the room and act like you don't know anything.' "