Pete Armstrong has long been a musician content with a life in the background, but with the support of his fiancee Jo Williams, he was able to find the confidence to put himself forward.

Entering his first talent quest at the age of 57, Mr Armstrong won the first in what is sure to become a long list of awards.

He picked up first place in the Golden Oldies category of the Capital Country Music Association National Talent Quest in early June, as well as being named a finalist in three other categories.

Then, at the South Australian Country Music Festival and Awards, Mr Armstrong won first place in the Male Vocal category and the Songwriter category, for which he submitted a song about his grandfather Joseph Summerfield.

The results were a big a surprise for a man who never liked to put himself forward.

“Until now I’ve never really been interested in talent quests; I’ve always played guitar and drums for other people,” Mr Armstrong said.

“If it wasn’t for Jo [encouraging me] I wouldn’t have done it.”

Mr Armstrong has been playing music since he was 10 years old and now works as a teacher at the Mitchell Conservatorium.

In addition to this, he is working on his first EP, tentatively titled A little taste of things to come. The EP will feature four songs, one original and three covers, that all fit into the style of country music, but have a touch of Mr Armstrong’s personal flair.

“I specialise more in easy listening and nostalgia,” he said. “Everything I play has a sort of swing undercurrent.”

Until the EP comes out, Mr Armstrong is likely to be found busking on the streets for smiles.