It’s been 20 years since Shannon Noll’s life changed forever and he placed runner-up to Guy Sebastian on Australian Idol.
Now, Noll, 48, has reflected on the remarkable milestone, saying he’s grateful to still be in the music industry and doing what he does best after all these years.
Speaking to 9Honey Celebrity as he marked the release of his new Christmas track for his collaboration with Jetstar, Nollsie admits: “It doesn’t feel that long ago, but time flies, they say!”
Watch the video above.
READ MORE: Paul Walker in never-before-seen footage 10 years after death
READ MORE: Robert Irwin’s girlfriend shares public tribute
“To still be a professional musician travelling the country and playing music 20 years later after a singing competition, I’m so thankful and blessed.
“And it’s all because of the support the Australian public has given me over the years, during the ups and downs as well.”
He adds: “It’s all because of the public. I’m thankful to them and will be forever.”
READ MORE: Bandmate’s tribute to The Pogues’ Shane MacGowan after death
Nollsie still keeps in contact with Australian Idol co-star Guy Sebastian, who has also gone on to have a successful music career after their stint on the show.
”I just messaged him just now. We do keep in contact, we haven’t had much chances to catch up over the past few years with travel schedules,” Nollsie says.
“You’re never in the same spot, but we catch up whenever we can when scheduling finishes and it’s great.”
These days, the What About Me singer is based in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales with his family, which he says he loves due to the “peace and quiet” he gets on their farm.
“It’s great and really, really good, it’s a good opportunity to get away from the busy city life and being on the road as well,” Nollsie says.
“It’s a bit out of the way, but it’s well worth it when you experience of the peace and quiet when you get there.”
His son Blake, who turns 21 this month, is even following in his father’s footsteps and becoming a musician – and Nollsie couldn’t be more proud.
“I didn’t want to push them [his children] into something that I loved, so I just let them find their own happiness in whatever field they wanted to and it turns out music has the same effect on Blake as it does on me,” Nollsie says.
“He’s really, really picking it up quickly and has a nice little voice, and it’s about getting those hours behind the microphone. It’s nice to have that thing in common we can enjoy together and watching him come along, is a really proud moment for me, you know.”
Nollsie says he’s “constantly” giving his son advice, but the biggest piece of advice he’s given him is that it’s a “hard” road in the music industry.
“I’m trying to let him know what he’s in for and what he should be focusing on and that it’s hard work. I was in a band a few years before Idol… but he’s still in that mentality he has to work,” he says.
“But he’s out rehearsing and going to guitar lessons and getting a handle on what it takes, but jamming together and enjoying it is what it’s all about.”
For a daily dose of 9Honey, subscribe to our newsletter here
Reflecting on his new collaboration with Jetstar, where he sings a new rock rendition of the 12 Days of Christmas to help fans win over $100,000 worth in flights, Nollsie says it was “great fun”.
“The guys were great to work with it and it’s giving away great prizes and I thought it was a great thing to be apart of,” he says.
“It’s really rocky… I ham it up a bit in the film clip, and that’s what it’s all about.”