Gresham goes second round on X Factor

Former Rockingham acoustic king Matt Gresham is having a second try at nationwide stardom.

The singer and songwriter, who recently moved to Fremantle, appeared on X Factor Australia last week — his second attempt at the reality TV show.

Gresham made it to the final 24 last year, earning a trip to the US with mentor Mel Brown.

But he was sent packing when she cut her top six singers to three.

Last week’s performance of the Bill Withers’ hit Ain’t No Sunshine scored Gresham nods from all three judges, sending him straight to the boot camp elimination rounds.

He said he was more prepared this time around.

“It was tough going back,” Gresham said.

“Only getting through to the top 24 was tough last year, and now it’s knowing that at any moment you can be kicked off — that’s always on my mind.

“I’ve got to push through that fear but, as I said last week, it’s heaps easier this time around with the support of my family.”

Gresham, who has released four albums, said X Factor was a great platform to showcase his song writing skills.

“My goal is to get my music out,” he said.

“It’s such a great avenue to let people listen to my music. The six months after being on TV, even if it’s just for a few minutes, is crazy.”

Gresham said he cannot play original material on X Factor but he hoped to gain fans who would love his own songs.

“I’ve been lucky that the songs I have been given to sing on the show are from artists that I aspire to be like,” he said.

“I always try to put my own spin on it.”

Gresham said he sold 120 albums in just hours after his X Factor audition aired last week.

But success is something he was still getting used to.

“I did a gig outside the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre and I was swarmed in the carpark,” he said.

Gresham will return to his home town to perform at the Rockingham Hotel on Friday, August 23, entry is $20 and includes a copy of his album.