Talent Quests

The Wests Diggers 2010 Kids Talent Quest proudly sponsored by Mount Franklin

The Kids Talent Quest is a competition for children only. It is open to budding country music artists less than 17 years of age. There are two age categories: under 12 years and 12-16 years. There are heaps of giveaways throughout the week-long competition, while first prize in each category will be awarded $200 and the runner up in each category will win $100. Heat winners must be available for the semi finals and the final. Entrants may use one backing performer or they can supply their own backing music. Entry is free and entrants can simply turn up on the day, however to secure a preferred heat time entrants are encouraged to get their forms in early. Full details are listed on the information sheet which entrants should read before filling out the entry form. The information sheet for 2010 and an entry form for 2010 are available to download for use as a guide, 2011 forms will be available by November 2010.

 To download the information sheet click here. To download an Entry for the talent quest please click here.
Contact: Vernon Darlington , Marketing Executive, Wests Entertainment Group, P: 6765 1548

2010 Mount Franklin Kids Talent Quest
The Winners..

Senior Winner - Georgia White

Senior Runner Up - Jacynta Lee Glaspy

Junior Winner - Karrie Hayward

Junior Runner Up - Gina Balenzano

The Finalists..
Dakota Ellis, Katelyn Watene, Jacob Benko, Abbi Bradshaw,

Jon O Nicholsen, Maddison Caruso.

Country Entertainer of the Year

Blazes showroom at Wests was abuzz on Monday night of all things country.  Following two very successful heats, 16 artists (8 juniors and 8 seniors) battled it out for the crown of Country Entertainer of the Year.

 Margie-May Hockey won the judges over with her amazing vocal talent plus the ability to light up the stage.  Margie-May at the tender age of just 13 won the title of Junior Entertainer of the Year.  Hot on the heels of Margie-May was New Zealand youngster Jordon Watene with 3^rd place and Mitchell Murdock with 2^nd place.  Margie-May collected $750 cash prize money.

 From Woodford in QLD Katrina Burley proved why she should be the 2010 Aristocrat Country Entertainer of the Year.  From her heat right to the final Katrina presented with incredible vocal performances and wowed the audience.  Katrina has taken home $2000 in cash and 10 hours' recording time from Fattrack Studios in Tamworth.

 Newcomer to the Tamworth Festival, Tasmania's Dave Hawkins, picked some nice country notes on his guitar and performed a couple of classic country numbers including Alan Jackson's Don't Rock the Jukebox to win $1000 and runner-up Aristocrat Country Entertainer of the Year.

 From across the Tasman, New Zealand's Daniel Cosgrove took out 3^rd place taking home $500 cash. 

This was Aristocrat's 20^th year as major sponsor of Entertainer of the Year and local Aristocrat sales representative Pete Henderson along with Aristocrat's NSW manager, Graeme Hallett, announced they will be on board again next year to celebrate the 21^st birthday of Aristocrat's involvement.

Competition co-ordinator Gina Timms said both heats were full prior to the festival beginning.
"We had a waiting list of entrants hoping for a cancellation so they could gain a spot," Gina said.
"The talent just gets better and better each year. I have been judging here for 18 years and we have seen some amazing performances, some that make you laugh, some that make you cry. 
"Australia certainly does have a huge depth of young talent and thanks to Aristocrat and Fattrack Studios, we are able to host this awesome competition each year.

"Rod Laing and his crew from Wests Entertainment Group are to be applauded for their ongoing support of country music here in Australia."

PHOTO: Margie-May Hockey, left, and Katrina Burley - junior and senior winners of the Aristocrat Country Entertainer of the Year 2010.

Information sheets / entry forms for 2010 are available to download for use as a guide only. If you would like to download a 2010 entry form click here.

Contact: Vernon Darlington, Marketing Executive, Wests Entertainment Group, P:6765 1548

Juniors

3rd Place winning $200 - Jordon Watene
2nd Place winning $350 - Mitchell Murdock
Winner taking home $700 - Margie-May Hockey

Seniors

3rd Place winning $500 - Daniel Cosgrove
2nd Place winning $1000 - Dave Hawkins
1st Place $2000 cash and 10 hours recording time at Tamworth's Fat Track Studio's - Katrina Burley .

2010 Battle of the Country Bands

Each year this competition woos entrants with some great prizes: $1000 goes to the winning band, $500 to second place and$300 to third place. But wait there's more.. the best lead guitarist on the day, who does not necessarily have to be in the winning band, will win a custom made Tomkins guitar made from Australian red cedar and valued at $3000! The competition is open to country bands and a band is deemed to be three or more people working together as an established act. No scratch bands please. Entry is $25 per band (Please make all cheques out to 'Wests Entertainment Group'). Information sheets and entry forms from 2010 are available for download and can be used as a guide, updated forms will be available closer to December. To download a 2010 entry form for use as a guide only click here.
Contact: Fiona Ainsworth P: 6765 1549 or Vernon Darlington P:6765 1548

2010 Northern Daily Leader Battle of the Country Bands - The Winners.

2010 Country Karaoke Competition

The 2010 Country Karaoke competition was joined by "Mother" energy drink as sponsor, with great support from "Mother" the 2010 event evolved further with the standard of competition suprising the judges and audience alike. Open to anyone 18+ entrants came with the courage to 'have a go' from diverse backrounds, such as a nurse, employment consultant and even a publican. Guest compare Louise Marambio was stunned by the vocal ability of many competitors stating that they should reconsider their current careers. 

2010 Winner - Paul Freeman

2010 Finalists

Highly Commended: Deb Thornett, Jenny Vee, Jason Palmer, Grant Long.