HE’S a modest plumber by day, but aspiring singer Vince Gelonese will soon swap leaky taps for a chance in the spotlight.

The 48-year-old is teaming up with Hollywood powerhouse production company Paramount, who will fly to Canberra this month to film the video clip for his debut single, “Every Dream”.

The single has been getting airplay on around 60 radio stations across America and is currently ranked number six on the “contemporary adult” chart for “Billboard”, one of the world’s most influential music media brands.

“It’s been very surreal, I don’t think it’s quite hit me at this stage, I’m still pinching myself,” Vince, of Gungahlin, says.

“It’s hard to believe that something I initially wrote sitting in my bedroom here, is getting heard by people all the way on the other side of the world.”

Vince, who migrated to Canberra from Italy in 1967, has been singing and entertaining since he was 16, performing in bands and even working as an Elvis impersonator in Las Vegas.

After struggling to make a name for himself in Australia he eventually hired a publicist in Los Angeles, who managed to promote “Every Dream” to a US audience, a song Vince describes as a “pop rock ballad about being happy with the person you’re with.”

Although he currently isn’t signed with a label, Vince says when his publicist set up Paramount to shoot the film clip, he was overwhelmed.

“I don’t think it’s ever too late for this sort of thing to happen, it’s better late than never, and I’ve always had a dream it would eventually happen for me,” he says.

Vince says Paramount’s producers initially wanted him to film the music video in Los Angeles, but he declined, telling them it would work better in his hometown, with Lake Burley Griffin as the backdrop.

“When I’ve visited America, not many people know that Canberra is even the capital of Australia, and it’s a place that is close to my heart, so why not do it here?” he says.
But would he give up the plumbing career and ditch Canberra for Hollywood if his success continues?

“I don’t know about the plumbing, but I’d hope to stay in Canberra for the most part as my wife and I do love it,” he laughs.

Vince is currently planning a North American tour, scheduled for January next year, and will soon launch “Every Dream” in Australia.

“Every Dream” is available on itunes.