Steve Clisby has the kind of success he wants after being "discovered" on The Voice Steve Clisby, at 67, is the oldest, and arguably the most experienced contestant in The Voice. Courtesy: The Voice, Nine Network STEVE Clisby crossed his fingers as the deadline loomed on the option of his post The Voice recording contract. There was a part of him, let's say the ego, which was a little dented when Universal Music Australia passed on taking up their option to sign the popular soul man. But the seasoned veteran who has jammed with Jimi Hendrix, toured the world with Tina Turner, Chaka Khan and Santana and written tunes for Neneh Cherry and Groove Armada did a happy dance. The major label's loss was his gain. New record ... Steve Clisby took on some now pop classics for his new record Leave Me Dreaming. Picture: Chris Pavlich. When he scored one of the most lucrative commercial deals in Australian television history, it was his deal not the machinations of the music industry. Clisby was hand-picked to star in the Commonwealth CAN campaign which focused on his determination to carve out a five-decade career in music. And paid very handsomely to perform and star in the long-form ads. His profile suitably boosted by The Voice second season, Clisby's inspirational pursuit of his dream - and that mellifluous voice - continued to resonate with fans long after the cameras had stopped rolling. The tickets kept selling too, with 20 gigs in the wake of the show selling out. Instead of a "finalist's journey" album, Clisby decided to take a few more risks and pick wholly unexpected songs for his new record Leave Me Dreaming. Like Coldplay's Magic, Duffy's Mercy, Sam Smith's Stay With Me and the newly minted Paloma Faith hit Only Love Can Hurt Like This which he recorded at almost the same time as the British pop star. "I have been really trying to get out of the cliche of soul man," he explains. "When I went on The Voice, when Seal turned around I thought "This could be good" because he would understand the whole idea of not pigeonholing an artist. I think the show helped people to understand who I was. But choosing songs which were so fresh in the chart is a risk - without a TV show giving you the excuse to perform them for votes rather than sales. "The pros are if you have enough nerve and can entertain, there is a possibility people will like your version ... better," he says. Both Stay With Me and Only Love were in the charts in the UK but hadn't arrived here yet but by the time my album came out, Paloma was No. 1 and Stay With Me was all over the radio. Ultimately this album is a stepping stone to the one I want to make next which will feature my songs. Happy life ... Clisby measures his success in artistic rather than materialistic terms. Picture: Chris Pavlich Source: News Corp Australia Clisby had found himself well-respected by his fellow musicians when he moved to Australia in 1999 but always butted heads with the perception that a black man with his voice is a soul singer. "This is a rock'n"roll country, it's in the roots and now dance and pop have taken over. R & b is a niche market here, it's always been a bit of a struggle and I want to have fun, as well as sing something that connects with the lyrics," he says. The connection he strikes with his distinctive delivery, the way he injects every song with the heart it requires to tell its story, is still resonating with fans. He is constantly recognised when walking the streets. Some of the well-meaning folk suggest he should a "star" rather than a man happy to make a living doing what he loves on his own terms. Most stars would select the second option given the choice between living the life of a celebrity or the life of an artist. People have this idea of what constitutes success. You are at my show, I just sold you a CD and I got a standing ovation. I am successful," he says. I have been doing this my whole life and may not have achieved what most people consider to be success but the bottom line is I am doing what I was put here to do. The Leave Me Dreaming tour, Lizottes Newcastle, January 16, Lizottes Kincumber, January 17, Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre, January 23, Lizottes, Dee Why, January 24 and Brass Monkey, Cronulla, January 30. Originally published as How to find success after The Voice