HIS world literally crumbling around him, earthquake survivor Liam Kennedy-Clark was convinced his career was over before it even started.
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It was February 2011 and the Christchurch teen found himself sifting through the rubble of his family’s badly damaged home.
But fast forward three years and Liam’s burgeoning musical career – just like his home town – is back on track.
A graduate of the CMAA Academy of Country Music, 16-year-old Liam impressed his mentors with his ability to play multiple instruments and sing in different genres.
So impressed were they, academy tutors Jim Haynes and Lawrie Minson set about sourcing a special gift to encourage Liam.
And during the festival, Liam was invited to Haynes’ popular Morning Variety Show at Wests’ Diggers on the pretext he would help promote the academy.
Little did he know he was about to be presented with his dream instrument – a Martinez Resonator guitar.
“Lawrie (Minson) and I got our heads together after I saw him using his normal guitar to play as a steel guitar at the academy,” Haynes said.
“Liam is an amazing young man ... he is very mature and is totally dedicated to his music. He plays piano, trumpet, guitar, electric bass and harmonica. He also has an amazing voice and can sing songs in all genres – he is a genuine, all-round talent.”
Following the earthquake, Liam even wrote a moving song in a bid to fundraise for fellow victims of the natural disaster.
Emotions boiled over when Liam was handed the guitar, with his mum Nicky Kennedy shedding a tear.