BATHURST country music talent Kaylee Bell is hoping it’ll be third time lucky when she lines up as a grand finalist in this year’s Toyota Star Maker competition at the Tamworth Country Music Festival on Friday.
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Kaylee sang her way into the top four on Sunday. She will vie for the 2013 title against fellow judge’s choice finalists Christie Lamb of Kirkham, Nathan Lamont of Wagga Wagga, and people’s choice, Sarah Head of Robina.
It’s the third consecutive year the 23-year-old has made it through to the grand final of the competition, which has helped launch the careers of Australian country music icons Keith Urban, Samantha McClymont and Lee Kernaghan.
She said she was excited to be chosen out of a tough field of competitors.
“I’m very stoked,” she said. “I’m really excited about Friday. It’s a massive concert in a new venue and it’s free for people to come along.
“Tamworth is buzzing. We’ve all got gigs throughout the week, so we’re running around having an absolute ball.”
The competition attracted about 100 entries from Australia and New Zealand. This was whittled down to 15 finalists, who took the stage on Sunday to perform two songs.
Tomorrow, the top four will offer three songs to their audience. Kaylee will sing two originals and a cover.
Kaylee already has an impressive list of accolades to her name, including New Zealand’s Gold Guitar Award which she won at the tender age of 18. She has also performed at the famous Bluebird Café in Nashville and at the Global Artist Showcase, featuring artists from all over the world.
She has had chart success with hit singles Ride That River, Love Was Just A Fairytale and Strawberry Sunset and was last year included in the line-up for CMC Rocks The Hunter alongside Tim McGraw and Faith Hill.
The winner of the 2013 Toyota Star Maker competition will not only receive an album deal and a big budget recording session with some of Australia’s top musicians and producers, but also a huge prize package including a brand new Toyota motor vehicle.
Kaylee said, for her, the prize was a stepping stone towards a full-time music career.
“It gives you a boost into the industry that you wouldn’t otherwise get,” she said. “It’s still a lot of work, but it gives to that extra push towards having a full-time music career.”
