YOUNG TALENT TIME: Aristocrat’s Peter Henderson with 2013 Aristocrat Junior Country Entertainer of the Year Jordy McMillan, runner-up Liam Kennedy-Clarke, bottom left, and band members of Something in Latin, the third placegetters. Photos: Robmac
Now, that’s entertainment! Another crop of new country stars were rewarded for their talents in Tamworth on Monday night at the 2013 Aristocrat Country Entertainer of the Year Quest.
Staged annually by the Wests Entertainment Group and held in Diggers’ Showroom, a capacity crowd witnessed New Zealander Kylie Price claim the winner’s crown in the senior section and Victorian Jordy McMillan taking the junior title.
Event coordinator and judging panel chairman Gina Timms said the talent this year was outstanding.
“It’s very exciting to have both heats full prior to the event commencing,” Gina said.
“New Zealand was strongly represented this year with young Liam Kennedy-Clarke taking out second place in the junior section.
“After six years of competing, Jordy McMillan was a very deserving winner of the junior entertainer crown. She’s grown into a seasoned performer and has an amazing vocal quality that would be the envy of many female singers.”
Four-piece band Something In Latin, took out third place in the junior section with their rockin’ country style.
Other placegetters in the senior section were Emily Markham, who won $1000 cash, and George Czender, described by Gina as “a true gentleman of country music”, secured $500 for third place.
Aristocrat Leisure Industries, a longtime sponsor of the quest, was represented by Peter Henderson, who was more than impressed with the quality of finalists.
He has confirmed the company’s continued sponsorship of the event and said he looked forward to celebrating the 25th anniversary in 2015, when a major concert would mark the occasion.
Guest judge Beccy Cole, who has been part of the grand final panel for the past 10 years, was delighted with the quality of performers and agreed the future of Australian country music was in good hands.
Results - junior section:
1. Jordy McMillan
2. Liam Kennedy-Clarke
3. Something In Latin
Results - senior section:
1. Kylie Price
2. Emily Markham
3. George Czender
