2015 Ekka aims to unearth the next star in country music

Organisers of the 2015 Royal Queensland Show (Ekka) are hoping to find hidden gems of Queensland country music this August, with entries now open to the annual Ekka Country Music Showdown Competition.

The competition, which seeks to uncover some of Queensland’s best musical talent, is calling on country music artists aged from 12 years and over to enter. 

Queensland’s rising country music stars will have the chance to showcase their talent and get a true live music experience when they are backed by live band ‘The Smokin’ Crawdads’.

Performers will also have the opportunity to meet Queensland’s own country music legend and Ekka star, James Blundell.

Last year’s inaugural competition unearthed Tori Somers, the winner of the junior section and open winner Karen Maimon. Both artists have gone on to record their first singles and are now pursuing careers in the music industry.

Explaining that the Ekka is about bringing the country to the city and encouraging the development of new talent in all industries, including the arts, RNA Chief Executive Brendan Christou stated “Ekka wouldn’t be Ekka without country music.

“The Ekka Country Music Showdown is about unearthing the best of the best and providing a platform for these artists.”

The first prize in the junior competition (aged 12-16) is valued at over $2,500 and includes a coveted Troy Cassar-Daley Ekka Junior Country Music Scholarship to The Tamworth Academy of Country Music.

The prize for the senior winner, those who are 17-years-old and over, is valued at over $3,000 and includes a recording session and basic video package with Tamaralin sound and a photography package with Robin Reidy Photography.

For more information go to www.ekka.com.au/entertainment.aspx 

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