Aussie singer and performer Nathan Foley has enjoyed a successful career in the music and entertainment industry for more than 35 years.
The star, 45, became a household name thanks to spending 10 years in the now-iconic Australian children’s musical group, Hi-5, with the show airing on Nine and also the group consisting of Charlie RobinsonTim Harding, Kellie Crawford and Kathleen de Leon Jones.
He was just 18 years old when he got the opportunity of a lifetime to join the children’s group – but he already had years of experience under his belt, having released an album at just 10 years old and having known what he wanted to do since the young age of five.
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Now, he’s taking to the stage for a string of performances with two shows, Aussie to the Bonewhich honors some of the big names in Australian pop and rock, and unforgettablewhich features covers of some of the biggest songs from the 1950s and 1960s.
Speaking exclusively to 9honey Celebrity, Foley reflects on his time in the group and reveals what it was really like behind-the-scenes, teases a possible reunion, and speaks about his exciting new performances.
He also gives some interesting advice to upcoming Aussie performers and musicians, saying they should ditch the idea of seeking fame if they want “longevity”.
“It was incredible, I was 18 when I got that show,” he says about Hi-5.
“I knew I wanted to be an entertainer and on stage and then the audition came up and that was it.
“Even when we were filming it the first two years, we had no idea what we were part of and even when we finished… not until years later,” he says about the group’s success, which even spread worldwide when they gained young fans overseas.
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What the original cast of Hi-5 is up to now 25 years later
“Hearing comments from people nowadays (that they loved the group), is quite special.”
He says they spent a fair bit of time visiting children’s hospitals and says how special it was for them.
“It just comes back to a reason why I’m in this industry, to make a difference, get out there and make someone have a great night or great day and for myself, it’s a passion for me.”
Of course, it was a lot of hard work being in the group, but he wouldn’t have it any other way. He says his days in the group helped “shape” him into the musician, performer and entertainer he is today.
“It was long, long days. We were filming for four months of the year, touring for seven months and had about a month off each year. Long, long hours. It shaped a lot of me today,” he says.
About a possible reunion, Foley says three of the original line up are keen, but they’re not sure if they should do something without all five stars involved. But he says he and Tim Harding are “working on to do something together”.
“It shaped a lot of me today.”
“I know three of us are (keen). But do you go ahead with something if it’s not five?” he asks.
“On the other hand, Tim and I are working on to do something together, by the end of the year or next year. Doing something on stage together, a bit of Hi-5 or pop rock and maybe a fusion show which would be pretty cool.”
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Speaking about his new shows, the Hurricane The singer jokes he’s a “busy man”.
”I just think with covid, I was losing my mind and now I’m making up for lost time and getting out there… and it’s a lot of fun doing cover shows and there’s a bit of nostalgia there too I guess, ” he says.
“I’m very lucky to say I’ve had a really healthy career now for 35 years. I love being on stage, it’s still a passion for me and its why I love putting these shows together, it’s a joy for me.”
Speaking about his best advice for others, he tells people to not be “driven by fame and fortune” if you want to spend years in the industry.
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“There’s going to be highs and lows and money isn’t always going to be there,” he says.
“Fame is not real. I think you go out there, do what you love and have respect for everyone around you, respect yourself and your peers and there will always be longevity.”
Dates for Nathan’s shows are:
Aussie to the Bone:
Saturday – Jan 25th – Penrith panthers
March 7th – Pymble Golf Club
March 15th – Illawarra Yacht Club
April 12th – Avoca Beach Theater
June 21st – The Concourse, Chatswood
June 28th – Flamingos Live, Newcastle
July 5th – Brass Monkey, Cronulla
August 2nd – Wyong Arthouse
Unforgettable:
February 16th – Avoca Beach Theater
May 11th – Wyong Arthouse
May 18th – Hayden Orpheum Theatre, Cremorne
July 20th – Flamingos Live, Newcastle
Tickets are available at www.nathanfoley.com
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