This morning was one of the earliest starts we have had during my time here in Tamworth this year. I had an audition/heat for the CCMA National Talent Quest starting at 9am. I therefore needed to be there at 8:30am, which meant leaving the accommodation no later than 8am. This meant all of us were reluctantly up at 7am. I managed to be the first person in the competition to sing, so there was a lot of effort required to sing in tune and with the energy I need for my songs … against a band who hadn’t had a big sound check, and a sound operator working hard to get the sound just right. Thankfully, through all of this I was able to win a spot in the grand finale tomorrow night. Exciting.
Once we finally figure out a way to return into town with this bus service, we make a trip to see Catherine Britt and Amber Lawrence perform their sets at the Fanzone. Both of these ladies are world class. I have a huge respect for these talented individuals. Honestly, we would’ve stayed a bit longer if it hadn’t been 41’C temperatures in the middle of the hot Aussie sun.
I have a songwriter’s aspect to this CCMA National Talent Competition, which means I drop in the newest original I have … “Blue Lake”. On paper, I didn’t get anywhere with this song, however I know that people were moved by the performance, as I saw a few tears being wiped from people’s eyes while I was playing. I feel invigorated every time I hit the stage in this town, and all the other performers are so good … and in this instance, so are the songwriters.
We shoot off to the Troy Cassar-Daley concert, and it looks full on. It’s great to see a number of the Academy students claiming the rear seats within the theatre. It’s another time (amongst many during this trip) where the country music family have got together.
After we watch the full show (yes, finally a full show), Maree and I jet it off to the NZ Showcase to support fellow performers, as well as perform myself. This gave me the opportunity to showcase my original skills again. I manage to hit the stage after Neilly Rich and before Aly Cook. It sounded good from what I was been told. I dropped in “Blue Lake” again (with the story behind it), and was touched when a lady stopped me side stage after the show in tears, talking about how much it the song meant to her, as she had a connecting to a different tragedy which occurred in Victoria. It’s amazing how much music can touch people’s souls.
We followed the show with a radio interview on Toyota Festival 106.1FM. It’s always a privileged to do interviews like this, and I look forward to jamming through some tracks with them again soon.
We finish the night with a few cool drinks with the rest of the NZ team, which give me a great time to chillax with others at the accommodation. It’s about 2 hours into it, and I realise that I need to tap out and sleep. Night night all.
Once we finally figure out a way to return into town with this bus service, we make a trip to see Catherine Britt and Amber Lawrence perform their sets at the Fanzone. Both of these ladies are world class. I have a huge respect for these talented individuals. Honestly, we would’ve stayed a bit longer if it hadn’t been 41’C temperatures in the middle of the hot Aussie sun.
I have a songwriter’s aspect to this CCMA National Talent Competition, which means I drop in the newest original I have … “Blue Lake”. On paper, I didn’t get anywhere with this song, however I know that people were moved by the performance, as I saw a few tears being wiped from people’s eyes while I was playing. I feel invigorated every time I hit the stage in this town, and all the other performers are so good … and in this instance, so are the songwriters.
We shoot off to the Troy Cassar-Daley concert, and it looks full on. It’s great to see a number of the Academy students claiming the rear seats within the theatre. It’s another time (amongst many during this trip) where the country music family have got together.
After we watch the full show (yes, finally a full show), Maree and I jet it off to the NZ Showcase to support fellow performers, as well as perform myself. This gave me the opportunity to showcase my original skills again. I manage to hit the stage after Neilly Rich and before Aly Cook. It sounded good from what I was been told. I dropped in “Blue Lake” again (with the story behind it), and was touched when a lady stopped me side stage after the show in tears, talking about how much it the song meant to her, as she had a connecting to a different tragedy which occurred in Victoria. It’s amazing how much music can touch people’s souls.
We followed the show with a radio interview on Toyota Festival 106.1FM. It’s always a privileged to do interviews like this, and I look forward to jamming through some tracks with them again soon.
We finish the night with a few cool drinks with the rest of the NZ team, which give me a great time to chillax with others at the accommodation. It’s about 2 hours into it, and I realise that I need to tap out and sleep. Night night all.
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