Geoff Sewell - the lovable star of opera band Amici Forever - has made New Zealand history by going gold in the first week of his solo album Believe being released without the huge backing of a major record label.
The 35-year-old singing sensation is delighted at the success of the album which he produced and distributed himself in New Zealand.
"The response to the album has been beyond my wildest dreams," says the Kiwi from his London home.
As a celebration of the milestone, Geoff will return home on April 29 and will appear in Westfield, Albany, Auckland, supported by Dancing With The Stars winner Temepara George and her dance partner Stefano Olivieri - united in their quest to raise awareness and educate others about autism.
Geoff and his wife Simone have a daughter Sienna who is affected by autism while Temepara and Stefano's chosen charity for DWTS was Autism New Zealand.
The trio will put on a spectacular performance at Westfield Albany from 1pm on Tuesday, April 29.
One of the tracks on the album is titled Sienna's Song and proceeds from this will go to families trying
to overcome autism.
Change is in the air for the 1 in 100 families in NZ that are affected by autism, ADHD, aspergers and other related disorders due to awareness we are raising."
Geoff says that since the album was released this week, he has worked hard to highlight the effects and treatment of autism in his promotion. An example of the reaction is that Sienna's autism specialist received over 100 inquiries from worried parents on Tuesday.
"We are delighted to offer help and HOPE to other parents who are travelling the same path. As a parent,
we think the hardest part upon receiving this devastating diagnosis is not knowing how you can help your child.
But there is a lot you can do to heal your loved one using biomedical intervention. Autism is treatable!
Recovery is possible!"
Geoff and Simone last week attended a conference in Philadelphia called Defeat Autism Now. There they met up with celebrity activist Jenny McCarthy (pictured), who recovered her son from autism, and her Hollywood partner Jim Carrey.