Post by Inside Australian Idol on Feb 10, 2004 22:53:02 GMT 10
Likable Shannon the Noll package
Tuesday, February 10
ROCHELLE SMITH
YOU can take the boy out of the country but you can't take the country out of the boy.
``Yer all champions! I'm gunna sing a cuppla songs, what d'yoose reckon?!'' announced Australia's runner-up Idol Shannon Noll to the waiting crowd at Geelong yesterday.
POPULAR BLOKE: Australian Idol runner-up Shannon Noll on stage at Market Square yesterday. Thousands turned out to watch the popular singer perform live. Photo: MIKE DUGDALE
A packed Market Square answered in screams of pure adrenaline-charged ecstasy, waving his new CD, flowers, chocolates and teddy bears.
Speaking to the patiently waiting throng, it doesn't take long to discover the attraction of this former farm boy from Condobolin, country New South Wales.
He is wholesome, handsome - a good old fashioned looker. There's the warm brown eyes, ready grin and, of course, the cheeky `flavour saver' tuft of facial hair under his bottom lip.
It may not be as big a trademark as the 'fro on crown prince Aussie Idol Guy Sebastian, but to those in the crowd yesterday Shannon Noll plays second fiddle to no one.
While Shannon warmed up his vocal chords in some private cranny of the mall an impatient cry went out, ``Sha - nnon (clap, clap clap), Sha - nnon (clap, clap, clap)''.
There were arms temporarily tattooed with texta - I love you Shannon, and - you're #1 Shannon and bellies flashed with S-H-A-N-N-O-N across them.
Then it was finally time for him to hit the stage. Spunky in blue T-shirt and jeans, he was true to his word of ``a cuppla songs''. His new single `Drive', followed by the hottest, most-played song on the radio at the moment - Shannon's version of the Moving Pictures' hit `What About Me?'
He didn't disappoint. The sweet high notes contrasting with that gravelly quality that will no doubt increase as his whirlwind promotional tour continues.
The Australian Idol judges may have criticised Shannon for his lack of dancing talent but yesterday he brought his air guitar and Angus Young stage hop to the show. Fortunately he left the flannelette shirt at home.
The 28-year- old backed the short, two-song concert with a wrist-cramping three-hour autograph session, fighting off kisses by amorous admirers and declined signing body parts.
Mostly he stuck to the staple `G'day mate', according to the woozy fans who stepped off the stage, their shaking hands carrying the shiny new CD with a quickly scrawled `Shannon'.
``He said `G'day mate' to me and told her to `take it easy, sweetie','' said Jade Loats of Geelong, who escorted her six-year-old niece Tori Humble to meet the heart-throb.
So what did the man himself have to say about singing to the Geelong crowd?
``Terrific, mate,'' he told the Geelong Advertiser.
The humble Shannon said the Australian Idol experience had given him the opportunity to make a career out of performing.
``The direction I'm heading in now, it's a great chance,'' he said.
``It's important for me to make a go out of it.''
Shannon said he had moved to Sydney from Condobolin to pursue his dream and the shift had been a tough on his family.
``My boys are a bit little yet to understand all this,'' he said, gesturing to the hundreds of people watching his every movement.
www.geelonginfo.com.au/readarticle.asp?articleid=10410
Tuesday, February 10
ROCHELLE SMITH
YOU can take the boy out of the country but you can't take the country out of the boy.
``Yer all champions! I'm gunna sing a cuppla songs, what d'yoose reckon?!'' announced Australia's runner-up Idol Shannon Noll to the waiting crowd at Geelong yesterday.
POPULAR BLOKE: Australian Idol runner-up Shannon Noll on stage at Market Square yesterday. Thousands turned out to watch the popular singer perform live. Photo: MIKE DUGDALE
A packed Market Square answered in screams of pure adrenaline-charged ecstasy, waving his new CD, flowers, chocolates and teddy bears.
Speaking to the patiently waiting throng, it doesn't take long to discover the attraction of this former farm boy from Condobolin, country New South Wales.
He is wholesome, handsome - a good old fashioned looker. There's the warm brown eyes, ready grin and, of course, the cheeky `flavour saver' tuft of facial hair under his bottom lip.
It may not be as big a trademark as the 'fro on crown prince Aussie Idol Guy Sebastian, but to those in the crowd yesterday Shannon Noll plays second fiddle to no one.
While Shannon warmed up his vocal chords in some private cranny of the mall an impatient cry went out, ``Sha - nnon (clap, clap clap), Sha - nnon (clap, clap, clap)''.
There were arms temporarily tattooed with texta - I love you Shannon, and - you're #1 Shannon and bellies flashed with S-H-A-N-N-O-N across them.
Then it was finally time for him to hit the stage. Spunky in blue T-shirt and jeans, he was true to his word of ``a cuppla songs''. His new single `Drive', followed by the hottest, most-played song on the radio at the moment - Shannon's version of the Moving Pictures' hit `What About Me?'
He didn't disappoint. The sweet high notes contrasting with that gravelly quality that will no doubt increase as his whirlwind promotional tour continues.
The Australian Idol judges may have criticised Shannon for his lack of dancing talent but yesterday he brought his air guitar and Angus Young stage hop to the show. Fortunately he left the flannelette shirt at home.
The 28-year- old backed the short, two-song concert with a wrist-cramping three-hour autograph session, fighting off kisses by amorous admirers and declined signing body parts.
Mostly he stuck to the staple `G'day mate', according to the woozy fans who stepped off the stage, their shaking hands carrying the shiny new CD with a quickly scrawled `Shannon'.
``He said `G'day mate' to me and told her to `take it easy, sweetie','' said Jade Loats of Geelong, who escorted her six-year-old niece Tori Humble to meet the heart-throb.
So what did the man himself have to say about singing to the Geelong crowd?
``Terrific, mate,'' he told the Geelong Advertiser.
The humble Shannon said the Australian Idol experience had given him the opportunity to make a career out of performing.
``The direction I'm heading in now, it's a great chance,'' he said.
``It's important for me to make a go out of it.''
Shannon said he had moved to Sydney from Condobolin to pursue his dream and the shift had been a tough on his family.
``My boys are a bit little yet to understand all this,'' he said, gesturing to the hundreds of people watching his every movement.
www.geelonginfo.com.au/readarticle.asp?articleid=10410
