Thornlands singer-songwriter Georgie Taylor 15, scored first prize in the North Tamworth Bears Camp Talent Contest at the Tamworth Country Music Festival 2017 in January.
It is the third year running that Fretfest songwriters have taken out the top prize, with Kyle Bryant winning in 2015 and Director Alan Buchan taking the prize in 2014.
Georgie performed five songs and was praised for her pure voice, original song lyrics and acoustic talents on guitar and ukulele. She gave an encore of her original song Lost at Sea.
Georgie was invited to attend the iconic festival as part of the line-up for the Winners Showcase Fretfest Regional Song contest. The showcase highlights talented teenage singer-songwriters, including Georgie, who had previously won a six-month mentorship with Alan Buchan, Director of Fretfest after being runner up in 2015 with her original song Seasons of Change.
Georgie performed on Tamworth's biggest stages in the heart of the festival including Peel Street, Fanzone and The Pub Under the Sails. Performances at Fanzone, radio interviews and many of the festival concerts including The Golden Guitar Awards, were also available for viewing via Livestream, facilitating viewing by an international audience.
Highlights of the 10-day Tamworth trip included writing and performing a new song Soul Sister, busking on Peel Street with friend, Sydney Brand, meeting other buskers, bands and musicians and competing in the Coco-Cola Battle of the Young Stars at the Town Hall.
While in Tamworth, Georgie also did her first live radio interview on the breakfast show discussing her musical journey to date, her aspirations for the future and a live performance of her original song The Divide.
Mid festival, Georgie returned to Redlands as a nominee in the cultural awards of the Redland City Australia Day Awards.