ONE of the personal highlights of my career so far has been performing in Las Vegas and meeting some amazing, talented people there.

This week I’d like to introduce you to one of those artists, who I met at the Golden Nugget Casino, when he was just beginning to film the Fox Television reality show The Casino. He is an amazing talent who is doing a fantastic job at keeping my favourite genre of music alive and swinging!

Multi-award winning, platinum-selling, Canadian crooner, Matt Dusk has sold over one million albums, has three number one radio hits and four Juno Award nominations. Matt is a throwback to the crooners of yesteryear but with a cool, updated, modern twist. He effortlessly croons both new and original swing songs and he also pays tribute to the songs from The Great American Songbook.

He told me: "When I was a teenager, I was looking to classy older guys to aspire to be like. Here was Frank Sinatra, Bobby Darin, Nat King Cole, looking all dapper, havin cocktails, and hanging out with beautiful ladies as they crooned away. Who didn't wanna be like them?

“Frank Sinatra was definitely my favourite singer. I was lucky as a young lad I had the same register and voice as Frank. Finding karaoke cassettes instantly gave me an orchestra to sing along to. I could close my eyes and feel I was on stage with the best of the best”.

Before long Matt made the break from singing karaoke to hitting the stage.

He added: "I won a couple of talent competitions, then, as soon as I was at the legal age for drinking, I sent demo tapes to all the local bars and clubs. I was pretty motivated, I sent out like 25 packages, then I followed up with all the bar owners, and got weekly/weekend spots. By the time I was 21 I was doing about 20-25 shows a month”.

“Universal Music came a-knockin' and it started the worldwide touring. I was very lucky to have some great teachers along the way. Bob Fenton, who played with Billie Holiday and Chet Baker, taught me how to sing. I also had masterclasses with Oscar Peterson."

He lists his higlights as hanging out with Tony Bennett, Paul Anka, Michael Bublé, Frank Sinatra Jr and Harry Connick Jr.

Right now he is releasing an album called 'Sinatra' but more writing and recording are planned.

“I’ve never recorded these songs, so myself and 17 musicians went into a studio one day and recorded 18 tracks. All live off the floor. I was amazed at how good it turned out”.

I asked if he would like to tour the UK and he replied: "Of course! I had the opportunity to tour the UK with Shirley Bassey and Van Morrison. But I’ve never been to Ireland and it’s on my bucket list!”

I’d like to thank Matt for taking the time from his hectic schedule to share his story with Wayne’s World readers and I’m sure you’ll all join me in wishing him every success with his latest album ‘Sinatra with Matt Dusk’.

You can learn more about Matt Dusk and hear his fabulous singing on his website mattdusk.com