Shannon bursts out laughing when asked if his ego took a battering after fans discovered his “heartthrob” son busking with him at the Tamworth Music Festival and clambered for the apprentice builder’s autograph.
“I think the heartthrob days for me are long gone,” grins the proud dad, whose fans call him Nollsy, in an exclusive interview with Woman’s Day.
Blake became an unexpected star.
(Image: Woman’s Day/Phillip Castleton)“I’m just trying to hold onto a bit of something. He can take over that mantle for sure. He’s just starting out, so he’s not expecting big things at the moment, but he obviously has hopes and dreams. I’m really proud of him.”
Fans were treated to the father-son duo performing an impromptu gig, busking on the street, at the famed country music festival in January – with Blake, 20, getting his first taste of what it’s like to be a rock star like his dad.
“I signed a couple of autographs, which was a first for me,” he sheepishly admits. “It was surprising. I was packing up some gear at the side of the stage when some ladies came up, which caught me by surprise. I didn’t know what to say, and yes, I forgot to get their numbers! I haven’t received that sort of attention before.”
The likeable budding musician only took up playing guitar a year ago, after he got his driving licence. He started belting out tunes he heard on the radio, much to the delight of his dad, who says Blake surprised him with his musical aspirations.
The 20-year-old is adjusting to his new rockstar life.
(Image: Woman’s Day/Phillip Castleton)THE DRIVE TO SING
“I started playing guitar on my 19th birthday,” says Blake. “I never really had much to do with music until then. I didn’t think I could sing until I got my licence, and then there was a bit of carpool karaoke going on. Dad asked us to sing a million times when we were younger and none of us kids really wanted to do it.”
“My older brother Cody is a really good singer but I would never sing in front of dad and neither would my sister Sienna. It kind of scared us. There was always that little bit of expectation, even though he would never have judged us.”
“Once I realised singing is more like a muscle, and it gets stronger and better the more you do it, I kept doing it in the car and started to get more belief in myself, and then I started learning guitar, because I knew I would start singing more if I played.”
Blake cheekily admits that while his dad “taught me the basic chords”, he also had a “big helping hand” from YouTube tutorials, when he decided to learn how to play rhythm guitar.
Like father, like son.
(Image: Woman’s Day/Phillip Castleton)“Mum always had Dad playing in the car when we were younger and played all his new albums when they came out on repeat,” recalls Blake, who says his favourite song is Learn To Fly, Shannon’s hit that topped the ARIA charts in 2004, just months after he was named runner-up in Australian Idol.
“By the time I was 14 or 15, listening back to them all, I could say every word of every song. That’s the first big music memory I have. I’ve learned a couple of his songs and got up on stage at different times with him, which has been awesome.”
“If he ever needs a rhythm guitarist, hopefully I can fill that spot. I’d love to join his band!”
We can’t wait to see Blake play alongside his dad.
(Image: Woman’s Day/Phillip Castleton)Shannon, who has a new rock anthem out now called Believe It, which he co-wrote with Benji and Joel Madden, reckons Blake’s on track to start performing with him this year, even if the tough dad isn’t promising a permanent spot in the band – just yet.
“He’s found his voice and he’s really eager to learn,” beams Shannon, 47, who is working on a new album and touring as well as creating his forever home with his wife of almost 19 years Rochelle in the northern NSW town of Casino.
“Blake’s progressed really, really well and really quickly. He spends a bit of time on the guitar at home. It’s really good to see.”
