Youth in Tamworth and district have the opportunity to showcase their talents by entering the Regional Song Contest, with the chance to perform on stage at the 2017 Tamworth Country Music Festival.
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The annual competition is in its third year and is run by singer-songwriter showcase company fRETfEST, founded by new Gunnedah resident Al Buchan. Prizes also include a music mentorship with fRETfEST.
Fretfest is credited with helping kick-start the careers of successful singer-songwriters including Pete Murray, Kate Miller-Heidke and Tom Busby of Busby Marou.
“The Regional Song Contest is designed to give young people from regional Australian communities the chance to be discovered,” Mr Buchan said.
“It’s all about nurturing authenticity and guiding growth.”
Mr Buchan said the contest was focusing on Tamworth this year and he had been actively involved in the Tamworth Country Music Festival (TCMF) for six years.
“I think the Tamworth Country Music is one of the premier events for young singer songwriters in Australia,” he said.
“I want to support the Tamworth Country Music Festival. I want to encourage participation and applaud them for what they provide.
“The country music industry is one of the most exciting genres globally and young people from regional Australia deserve an opportunity to participate.”
Mr Buchan said the festival was “highly contested” and performance spots were “hard to come by”, which made the prize of a performance on the Fanzone stage even more significant.
“What I know is important, is teenagers being given live performance opportunities with an audience; that can help kick-start a music career,” he said.
“I feel that it is important to provide doorways and pathways for young people and this is what the Regional Song Contest offers.”
The song contest is aimed at youth aged 13-19 years, who are unsigned, with original songs to be submitted.
Entry closes on December 23, with winners to be announced on January 16. For details visit www.fretfest.com/regional-song-contest