2018 Muster Talent Search

A 2018 graduate of the CMAA Academy of Country Music, Bek Thornton has co-writen with Ashleigh Dallas and been mentored by industry legends Lyn Bowtell, Amber Lawrence, Adam Brand, Fanny Lumsden, Kevin Bennett, Roger Corbett and Kasey Chambers. Sharing the stage with O’Shea at the 2018 Golden Guitars as well as The Bushwackers and Kevin Bennett at the Tamworth Country Music Festival, and performing at the opening concert in Bicentennial Park kicked 2018 off to a great start for Bek. Not to mention supporting Kevin Sullivan at his ‘BELONGING’ album launch, taking out overall senior at the Redlands Modern Country Music Festival and attending the DAG Singer Songwriters retreat and now a finalist in the Muster Talent Search! 

Growing up on a farm in Bundaberg Queensland, Matthew Munro started playing guitar and writing songs at 14 years old. Being a graduate of both the Junior and Senior streams of the Academy of Country Music has provided Matthew with a solid business as well as creative base, and has opened up opportunities such as performing on the Golden Guitar Awards in Tamworth. 2018 sees Matthew continuing to pursue a full time music career, performing with major artists like O’Shea, Adam Harvey, Carter & Carter and Brad Butcher, he is well on his way to fulfilling his dream. He’s passionate about his songwriting and has co-written with Alan Caswell, Matt Scullion and David Carter, as he works towards his first original recording.

Kate Hindle is an aspiring Singer/Songwriter who is turning heads in the Country Music Industry including many bigs name such as Lee Kernaghan, Travis Collins, Lyn Bowtell and Jayne Denham, to name a few. With a knowledge of music beyond her years, a new Album released in January 2018 and many awards under her belt, Kate’s original sounds and great covers will leave you wanting more. 
“Ready For The Ride” is a Mini Album with 7 tracks produced by Kate Hindle and Mark Donohoe, recorded at Apollo 10 Studio. The Albums sound is melodic with a fresh, upbeat as well as ghostly and powerful theme, grasping Kate’s tones and raw emotion taking you on a journey of love, positivity and a touch of heartache.

The Tony Q Band gets the party started with a good mix of classic country tunes along with new, hard hitting, party country rock. A regular band at Johnny Ringo’s, the boys closed out the Warwick Rodeo to a packed house at Winton’s ‘Way Out West Festival’. Since 2016, the band have made a massive impact on the South East Queensland country music scene and have developed a very strong following nationwide. Their debut album, “Road to Nowhere”, peaked behind Keith Urban’s “Ripcord” on the iTunes Country album charts at number 2. The title track also placed 4th in the ASA awards in 2017 in the country category. The Tony Q Band put on an energetic show that will have you dancing, singing and partying until the sun comes up.

Ali S hails from Boulia in North West QLD, one of the most isolated and sparsely populated places in the world. The last 12 months have been incredibly busy for Ali, with his 1st album “Couldn’t Do This On My Own”, debuting at Number 2 on the Australian iTunes Country Charts, his debut single, ‘I Need A Beer’, hitting number 3 on the Australian iTunes Country Charts and his second single, “Talking Bout Brooks and Dunn”, receiving recognition from Kix Brooks who publicly announced his love of Ali’s tribute song to the great duo. 

As leader of Highway 65, Vanessa combines the roles of manager and musical director. With a love of singing from a young age Vanessa’s powerful mezzo- soprano voice is ideal for the style of music played by Highway 65. Her earliest music influences were Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn and George Strait but over the years she has broadened her repertoire to include popular music from many of the Top 40 Genres of today. Vanessa is popular with the boot scootin’ crowd but is equally at home with Rock and Rollers and the Country Rock scene she enjoys performing for patrons over a wide variety of genres. 

Zac & George now in their early 20’s, met in year 7 (2011) at school in Sydney, and have been best mates since day dot. Zac originates from Lake Macquarie (Newcastle) and George from Gundaroo (Southen Tablelands). The duo took out 2nd place in the Busking Competition and 1st Place in ‘The Battle of the Bands’ with their drummer, Dylan Harding at the 2018 Tamworth Country Music Festival.  Zac & George are currently in Nashville exploring new opportunities and further developing their art. They are both looking forward to returning back to Aus for the “DAG Songwriting week”.

Growing up in a world filled with song and melody, Zoey Mills’ love for music started at a very young age. Zoey flourished when she began writing for herself and once she discovered the magic of writing her own music she began to really take a leap into the song writing world. She attended both the Junior (2016) and Senior (2017) Academy of Country Music in Tamworth and the DAG Sheep Station Song writing Retreat (2017). With her unique and captivating voice Zoe shares 5 self penned songs of heartbreak, journeys and self-belief on her up and coming debut EP ‘Gypsy Girl’. 

Renee Jonas is a singer/songwriter that grew up listening to the natural sounds of the Australian bush. Growing up with solar power on 100 acres of subtropical rainforest in northern NSW, no TV or radio – Renee learnt to sing as a way of entertaining herself. Having toured Australia for over five years as a lead soloist with The Ten Sopranos and sung in prestigious venues all over Australia, Renee  quit the Ten Sopranos to re-embrace her alt-country roots to start a solo country music career combining stunning vocals with heartfelt songs. Having won the 2017 TSA APRA AMCOS New Songwriter of the Year Award, a finalist with 4 songs in the Songsalive Song Comp 2017 and a finalist in 6 categories of the 2017 ASA Awards including a Rudy Brandsma nominee and 8th place in the Open category; Renee has proven her songs are both entertaining and witty. 

Voted WA’s RAW:Musician of the Year in 2015 and Winner of ‘Best Country’ in the 2016 MusicOz Australian Independent Music Country Awards have seen Natalie Pearson’s profile rise. Combined with support from CMC Australia, Country Music World, Spotify’s Featured Playlists and airplay on premier networks such as KIX Country FM has led to solid chart success and has seen Natalie become one of Australia’s most exciting new acts. With her online popularity, she recognised the demand for her to take a leap of faith. Leaving the comforts of her hometown in Perth, WA, Natalie has relocated to the eastern states to intensify the focus on music. She recently embarked on an extensive regional and national tour with country-rock artist, Brook Chivell, performing an impressive 24 shows over 2 months, to captivated audiences all over the country. 

A late starter to the Country Music scene, Anita Tresidder brings her years of experience in Classic Aussie Rock into her love for American and Australian Country Rock and shares it with the audience at every performance. Not just a singer but also a terrific story teller and performer that inspires the crowd in every performance. With an energetic stage presence her music has certainly turned modern day country music skeptics into believers, yet still delivering the traditional modern country vibe in spades.  Whilst always keeping a “Positive Attitude” Anita would also love to share her powerful story of migration from suicide attempts to setting and achieving goals through to survival and most importantly, living each day as if it’s your last. With a personality and a powerful voice to match, what better way than through stage and song.

Sophie Rainbow is a spirited performer and storyteller hailing from the country’s capital, Canberra. The 19 year old singer/songwriter has been apart of the music scene since debuting her talents in mid 2015, and has been growing in her abilities and following ever since. Born and raised in the Clare Valley SA, Sophie has never lost her country roots. After graduating from the CMAA Senior Academy in 2016, Sophie set off to travel the world, which shifted her musical direction and worldly perspectives undoubtedly. Her nomadic spirit transforms into a blend of Americana and soul, telling stories of her adventures abroad and life on the road. Her honesty and sincerity captures audiences form all demographics, carrying a powerful message in her music to care for others and the world we live in. Sophie has been workingon her debut EP with Michael Muchow, to be released late 2018.

Melissa Isles is a resident of Eumundi and has lived on the Sunshine coast for 26 years and has sung at many events on the Sunshine Coast. Melissa had always wanted to have her own singing group and created The Doo Wop Dolls. They performed for the last 6 years on the Sunshine Coast, nationally and internationally. In 2013 Melissa directed a 1940’s style Burlesque show called ‘The D’Vine Burlesque Show’ and performed it at the Pomona Majestic Theatre over two nights to sell out shows. The reviews were wonderful, so, Melissa decided to do another show and ‘A Vaudeville Affair’ was created. The show was performed over two nights in Eumundi and then the show went to the Tivoli in Brisbane. 

Glenn Fox got a ukulele for his 8th birthday and he wrote a song on it – “Jake The Wandering Man”. At ten he started on guitar. Having a musical family made harmony and rhythm an inbuilt skill for Glenn. He started playing in bands at about 14, as a singer, doing rock and top 40 for the beach crowd on the west coast of Auckland. At 19 he joined a six piece horn band and they got one of Glenn’s songs on the radio. By 24 Glenn moved to Australia and played with various bands, touring from the Gold Coast as far as Darwin. Eventually going solo Genn discovered midi and started making backings for myself. Presently Glenn performs solo and teaches guitar with the Australian Institute of Country Music in Gympie.

JenWild formed in January 2018, consisting of Lindsay-Emma Hains and Jenalee Hopkins. The duo enjoy singing many different genres, however they particularly love Blues, Country and Soul. At the recent Charters Towers Country Music Festival, the girls won the Open Duo and Open Anything But Country section. Jena came second in the Open Rock and Lindsay won the overall award for 2018 Charters Towers Country Music Festival for her Open Solo.

JenWild currently performs at local venues and events in Mackay and the Whitsundays. JenWild very much look forward to performing and entertaining the crowds!

QUEENSLAND singer-songwriter Kim Wright wants to continue the sound of country pioneers like George Jones, Merle Haggard and George Strait in his music. A 2018 CMAA Academy of Country Music graduate, Kim has been playing music for 15 years and released his debut single, Man of the House, this year. Country music has always been close to Kim’s heart, having grown up on it, appreciating the storytelling nature of the form and that everyone can relate to the experiences sung about in a country song. Kim’s biggest musical highlight so far has been performing at the 2018 Tamworth Country Music Festival Official Opening Concert in front of 10,000 fans. 

The Dennis Sisters are known for their sibling harmonies and collaborative song writing process, which is showcased in their 1st EP released early 2018. Their debut single ‘Find Me’ charted at No.1 on the Triple J Unearthed Roots Charts and earned the pair a Highly Commended from the Queensland Music Awards.  

With Tiana on guitar and Briannah grooving it out on bass, the sister’s love of performing together and with their band.

Jason Daniels is a young blues singer/songwriter from the Sunshine Coast. He has been playing music ever since the tender age of 4 and over the last 3 years has started pursuing it as a full-time career. 
His sound and original songs are mix of blues and groove, yet with the relatable heart of story-telling country music. Jason has played near 250 local shows on the Sunshine Coast region of the past 3 years and hopes to expand this over the coming months.

Music has always been a very important aspect of Talisha Young’s life, beginning with classical singing lessons at the age of 6. Talisha grew up and so did her musical tastes. She quickly learnt that she loved to play instruments guitar, mandolin and piano and began to try and write her own music. Talisha has travelled for gigs and festival’s from Tamworth, Sunshine Coast and Brisbane and she won the Mount Franklin Talent Search and Battle of the Bands with her then band in 2015 at Tamworth Country Music Festival.