The Gympie Music Muster is known for celebrating country music in all its forms. This year is Gympie's own 'X Factor' sensation Caitlyn Shadbolt, who will be performing alongside some of Australia's biggest, country artists.
Since she was 12, the Gympie Music Muster has been the highlight of the year for Caitlyn Shadbolt. It was here that Caitlyn discovered her love for country music. “I guess you could say I kinda grew up in the Gympie Music Muster. I think it was the first festival that I ever went to.”
This year will be the biggest Muster for Caitlyn yet, after being announced as ambassador for the festival alongside one of her country idols Adam Brand. “It's crazy! I've always looked up to Adam Brand as an artist, but now I'm kinda alongside him which is really cool.”
Born and raised in the small country town, Caitlyn has always been a Gympie girl. Despite having travelled across the world, she loves kicking back in her hometown and is excited that she has the opportunity to represent the region. “It's just such a cool, little, humble, country town. I'm actually the youth ambassador for the Gympie region which is exciting. It's just great to come back to a little, humble town like Gympie where I've always grown up. It's also great to be able to represent a festival in my hometown. It's nothing but excitement.”Gympie has been a great support network for Caitlyn, particularly over the last 12 months as she has taken 'The X Factor' by storm. Despite being eliminated a few rounds shy of the grand final, Caitlyn is particularly grateful for the experience and opportunities that 'The X Factor' gave her in 2014. “'X Factor' was so beneficial for my career, so now I'm just taking everything in my stride and running with it... I've always wanted to be a cool, country music singer to show the youth of Australia just how cool country music can be, or really is. It was great to have the genre represented in such a positive way.”
Country music has always been Caitlyn's genre of choice. “I grew up listening to all kinds of music, from Shania Twain to AC/DC, but I think country music is straight from the heart. It's such a real genre, and it's great. I listen to heaps of different stuff but country music has a special place in my heart.”
2015 will be a big year for Caitlyn as she releases her debut EP in July and sets out to meet as many of her fans from around Australia as she can. “I'm in the pre-production for my EP being released later this year. Then I'm just planning to go around to all different towns in Australia and say hello to everyone that supported me on 'The X Factor', and of course the Gympie Music Muster and being the youth ambassador for the Gympie region.”
Caitlyn is looking forward to big crowds at this year's Muster, and would encourage everyone, country music lovers or not, to come along. “You must do the Muster. It's there any year to do it, you might as well do it this year. The Muster is just full of friends you haven't met yet really. Everyone's so polite and friendly, and it's just a great atmosphere. I'm really excited, this should be a good year!”
The Gympie Music Muster takes place 27-30 August.
