WHEN he came in to buy his first guitar I thought, ‘My God, a singing shearer,’” says Young music shop owner Michael Croke.
Since that time, about four years ago, Luke has been back pretty regularly and the staff at M and M’s have developed a liking for their customer who could win Australian Idol this Sunday.

Michael and his wife, Lisa speak with respect about Luke Dickens distinctive singing voice, and with equal respect about how, throughout the process, he has managed to remain humble, and true to himself.

“The biggest thing is how we are all so proud and excited,” said Lisa, “what a great bloke he is and how we are all truly so excited for him.”

This, she said, had been well summed up in this week’s St Mary’s school newsletter to parents, which had contained a request for everyone in Young to vote for the town’s Australian Idol contender.

It had stated, “Give Luke the chance of a lifetime.”

M and M’s was one of the places a Channel 10 camera crew visited on Wednesday, when they made a quick trip to Young seeking short good will messages from Luke’s home town, which are expected to be screened during the Opera House extravaganza on Sunday night.

And there is growing excitement that the local bloke may just take out the title.