Attentive Music Man readers might have anticipated young Jake Collisson’s CarFest 2024 appearance. I know I was waiting to see how the lad would do. Previously, 10-year-old Jake’s viral guitar shred through Sweet Child O’ Mine with RPJ Band at an event in Painshill Park featured on this forum. That Music Man article gave notice that Jake was invited to join RPJ Band onstage at CarFest 2024. RPJ Band frontman Rick Parfitt Jr introduced Jake to an audience of 30,000 on 24 August 2024 as follows.
“A few months ago something special happened. We played a little festival. A kid held up a sign, “Please can I play guitar with you.” I thought, okay they’re a friendly crowd, let’s take a risk. What happened after that was truly astounding – not only because he was only 10, but because he was one of the best guitarists I think I’ve ever heard. It was so amazing, a heart-warming moment. I wanted to give him the chance to play in front of a big friendly crowd.” Take it away, Jake Collisson.
Wasn’t that amazing? On the CarFest main stage, Jake is in his element. He keeps his cool in front of the large, enthusiastic audience. He fits in with Rick Parfitt Jr Band seamlessly and, when the time comes, he shreds like his guitar strings were treated with titanium oxide. The whole band steps up a gear with Jake on stage – his presence and skills are electrifying. “Is he really just ten?” you wonder.
Jake Collisson’s Painshill Park version of Sweet Child o’ Mine with RPJ Band – when Jake held up his sign – has 100 million views across the internet, with 79M views in two months on YouTube alone. At the time of writing, Jake’s CarFest video has 962K views on YouTube in just 6 days. Of course, skills like Jake’s don’t come from nowhere. Jake’s father is a musician, which helped create a conducive environment, but it also takes a lot of practice. Music Man readers, prepare to be charmed:
In case you stopped watching the CarFest video when the song concluded, it would be remiss of me not to point out that the last third of the video, where young rock star Jake makes his way from the stage and through the audience, is well worth watching. You can sense the buzz Jake is on as he is congratulated left, right, and center, and you get to see him sign his first autograph. All told, it’s every bit as heart-warming as Jake’s first viral video. Way to go, Jake! Congratulations from the Music Man.
“What about RPJ Band?”, you ask. Rick Parfitt Jr is the son of the famous Rick Parfitt of the rock band Status Quo. Status Quo charted with over 60 songs in the UK, with Down Down (1974) their biggest hit. The other RPJ Band members are Sam Willcock, Darby Todd, Luke Price, and Tim Oliver. The band mostly plays covers. If you missed the Music Man article on Jake’s first appearance with RPJ Band, here’s the link: https://www.themusicman.uk/jake-collisson/
If you would like to hear more from this talented guitarist you can subscribe to their YouTube Channel for more incredible music. Follow Jake Collisson on Facebook and Instagram to stay updated on their latest performances and news.
