One of the country's fastest growing country music festivals, Groundwater Country Music Festival has teamed with KIX Country Radio Network to assist the next-gen of Australia's budding country music stars.
Launched last month, Groundwater's KIX-Start initiative will offer the opportunity for an emerging country artist or band to open The Back Road stage (with a 45-minute set) at Groundwater CMF on the Gold Coast this November, alongside the likes of Adam Harvey, Catherine Britt, and Gina Jeffreys.To enter, participants can wow the judges by submitting an original, country-inspired song that 'exhibits an exceptional music ability, and the passion, creativity, and authenticity that characterises the country genre'.
Part of the judging panel is the perennial Queen of Country, Gina Jeffreys.
The award-winning singer-songwriter burst on to the Australian country music scene 30 years ago, winning the Tamworth Toyota Star Maker competition in 1991, taking over the reins from none other than Keith Urban.
Gina is certainly familiar with the incredible opportunity these competitions afford artists hoping to launch their career. "I am so excited to be a part of the very first Groundwater's KIX-Start to help find an exciting new Aussie country artist.
"I'm passionate about helping to mentor and develop new artists and I know there are so many incredible artists out there ready to be discovered and this is the opportunity of a lifetime.
"I won Star Maker back in 1991, and it truly 'kick-started' my career and I'm forever grateful, so I really understand the value of a launching pad like this for a new artist."
Entries close 5pm EDT on 17 October.
In 2019, 73,000 people attended the 3-day Groundwater CMF event, with the event injecting approximately $8.46 million into the local economy.
Groundwater Country Music Festival (Gold Coast) takes place 12-14 November.
