AUSTRALIAN music favourite Damien Leith will return to the stage in Penrith this August, joining acclaimed country artist Jason Owen for an evening of timeless songs and unforgettable storytelling.
The pair will present Classic Favourites at The Joan Performing Arts Centre on Saturday, August 1, promising audiences a heartfelt celebration of some of the greatest songs ever written.
Featuring classics including Unchained Melody, Annie’s Song, Pretty Woman and many more, audiences can expect soaring harmonies, intimate arrangements and the genuine friendship that has made Damien and Jason popular performers across Australia.
Damien first won the hearts of Australians when he claimed victory in the 2006 season of Australian Idol. Over the past two decades, he has established himself as one of the country’s most versatile entertainers, enjoying success as a singer-songwriter, producer, author, playwright and television and radio personality.
I spoke with Damien about the magnificent career he has built over the 20 years since.
“I’ve loved every bit, I have been so lucky,” Damien said.
“I feel so fortunate, first of all to have an audience that has followed me along the way for 20 years – that is a really big thing in itself – and secondly it has given me loads of opportunities.. It started out as one thing but it has given me a lot of other opportunities.”
His remarkable career includes more than 800,000 album sales, platinum-selling records and an impressive collection of awards, including ARIA Awards, a Golden Guitar and APRA Songwriter of the Year honours. His albums Where We Land and The Winner’s Journey both reached number one on the Australian charts, while his debut single Night of My Life also topped the charts.
Beyond music, Leith has become a familiar face on Australian television, hosting programs including Saving Kids, New Idea Test Kitchen and Great Easter Feasts. He has also appeared as a finalist on Dancing with the Stars and regularly fills in as co-host on The Morning Show.
His creative talents extend to writing, with two adult novels published through HarperCollins and, more recently, his first children’s novel, The Extraordinary Misadventures of Lake and Birdy and Their Remarkable Fortitude, released by Walker Books in 2025. A sequel followed in 2026.
Asked whether there was anything still on his bucket list, Damien immediately said he’d love to do a musical.
“I really do like musicals. I started out doing them, it is what got me into music. I do some local stuff where I live but I wouldn’t mind doing a professional show one at some point – that would be a lot of fun,” Damien said.
Despite his many achievements, Leith continues to tour extensively, writing and producing music from his recording studio while collaborating with some of the industry’s most respected artists and songwriters.
Joining him is Jason Owen, whose powerful vocals and authentic country style have earned him a loyal following since finishing runner-up on The X Factor Australia. Together, the duo promises an evening filled with nostalgia, warmth and songs that have stood the test of time.
Damien Leith and Jason Owen present Classic Favourites will be performed at The Joan Performing Arts Centre, Penrith, on Saturday, August 1. Bookings can be made by calling The Joan Box Office on (02) 4723 7600.
