THE transition from soap star to pop star has been a common one by many Australian stars.
KYLIE MINOGUE, HOLLY VALANCE and NATALIE IMBRUGLIA are just some of many who have turned television careers on programs such as Neighbours into recording careers.
Home & Away actress BEC CARTWRIGHT is next in line to make the shift.
Best known to Australian viewers for her role as HAYLEY SMITH on the popular Australian soap, Cartwright made the venture into music last year.
A career in the entertainment industry has long been a goal for Cartwright who has been starring in commercials since she was just five.
She has appeared on programs such as Police Rescue, Heartbreak High and Water Rats but always pursued her love of music along the way.
Throughout her acting career, she developed her singing, dancing and drama skills at the AUSTRALIAN COLLEGE OF ENTERTAINMENT and at the MASQUE NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR PERFORMING ARTS .
A talented dancer, Cartwright represented Australia in 1996 at the DANCE EXCELLENCE competition in Los Angeles and was awarded first place in the Junior Women's Solo event.
After joining Home & Away in 1998, Cartwright was quickly embraced by the Australian public and received a Logie nomination for Most Popular New Talent in 1999.
She was also nominated for a Silver Logie for Most Popular Actor in 2001.
Her long running dream of a career in music was met in late 2002 when she signed a record deal with WARNER MUSIC.
Cartwright released her debut single All Seats Taken last October and watched the single climb to No.
8 on the ARIA charts, achieving gold sales status.
Proving that she wasn't just a one hit wonder, Cartwright returned with her second single On the Borderline in May, 2003 which debuted in the national Top 30.
With two hit singles under her belt, she has recently seen the release of her debut self-titled album.
``I was going to name it after one of the songs It's a Matter of Time because I felt this is my time,'' Cartwright said.
``It's time for me to get things done and prove I've got what it takes.
'' While she is concentrating on a career in music, Cartwright still manages to find time to juggle her acting commitments and has been working up to 19 hours a day to fulfil her dreams.
``I went through lots of lollies to keep me going.
``I recorded it at night after work, no matter what time it was, and on weekends.
I used up every spare second I had for four weeks.
'' The album was released last week and features the new single A Matter of Time.
Touring is next on the agenda for Cartwright and she will perform at the CRUSH under 18s dance party at CLUBNOVA PANTHERS NEWCASTLE on Friday night.
Crush will also feature DJ NICK SKITZ who will launch his new album Skitz Mix 15 and Crush's resident DJ DANNY B pumping out hi-NRG, dance, Top 40, r'n'b and hip hop.
The show will continue from 6pm to 10pm and also feature a spectacular light show.
Pre sale tickets are available from the club for $15 or for $20 on door.
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