Groundwater Country Music Festival are once again on the hunt for the nation's hottest emerging country music artists as they team with KIX Country Radio for a second straight year for the KIX-Start competition.
The overall winner will score an opening slot on the main stage at 2022 Groundwater Country Music Festival (28-30 October) on the Gold Coast, as well as a writing session with Nashville-based Phil Barton (who has worked with the likes of Lee Bruce, Sara Evans, The Wolfe Brothers) and recording a single with multi–Golden Guitar winner Rod McCormack (who has produced Paul Kelly, Troy Cassar-Daley, Kasey Chambers)."We had such a fantastic pool of talent involved in last year's inaugural KIX-Start competition and I for one can't wait to see what amazing artists will turn up this year," Groundwater Country Music Festival Director Mark Duckworth says.
"It's an initiative that is dear to my heart and something that the Groundwater Country Music Festival is all about – providing a platform for new talent."
The inaugural 2021 KIX-Start winner, Bella MacKenzie has just released her newest single '1,2,3 You And Me' that was the product of her 2021 prize package and was co-written with Bryce Sainty and produced by McCormack.
"Winning KIX-Start was such an honour boosting my career from the second I won," shares Bella. "The support from KIX Country, Groundwater Country Music Festival, and everyone else involved has been so amazing.
"I could never have imagined a year ago that I would have accomplished what I have today, which includes releasing two singles and playing major festivals.
"I have had my biggest year yet with so much more to come and I urge anyone thinking about applying to just do it! You never know if you don't have a go."
Adds Gina Jeffreys: "I think Bella McKenzie just might be the next big thing! She's an incredible vocalist and has such a fresh twist on her distinct country sound. I absolutely love her new single '1,2,3 You And Me'"
KIX-Start Competition 2022 Prize Pool
• Opening one of the main stages at 2022 Groundwater Country Music Festival 2022• Writing a song with accomplished country songwriter Phil Barton, who has had songs recorded by Lee Brice, Sara Evans, Eli Young Band, Dustin Lynch, Cassadee Pope, Morgan Evans, Locash, The Wolfe Brothers, The McClymonts, Lee Kernaghan, and many more
• Recording a single at The Music Cellar with one of Australia's most in-demand record producers, Rod McCormack who has produced Paul Kelly, Troy Cassar Daley, Jimmy Barnes, Kasey Chambers, and countless others
• The single will be promoted to radio by one of Australia's leading PR companies, Varrasso PR who has promoted the likes of Jason Aldean, Jimmie Allen, Lainey Wilson, The Wolfe Brothers, Casey Barnes, Eskimo Joe, Ruel, and Hanson
• The single will be supported by KIX Country, plus other exciting opportunities
• A one-on-one mentoring session with multiple-award-winning country music star Gina Jeffreys
Applications are open until 3 October.
Indicative of the growing appeal of country music in Australia, the multi-award-winning Groundwater Country Music Festival is one of the country's fastest-growing country music festivals.
Groundwater Country Music Festival is free and takes place in Broadbeach (Gold Coast) 28-30 October.
Groundwater Country Music Festival 2022 Line-up
Fanny LumsdenTravis Collins
Brooke Mcclymont & Adam Eckersley
Catherine Britt
Gina Jeffreys
Kirsty Lee Akers
Kaylee Bell
Dan Davidson
Hayley Jensen
Kristy Cox
Andy Golledge
Lachlan Bryan & The Wilds
Dozzi
Open Season Band
Southbound XO
Cass Hopetoun
Raechel Whitchurch
Whistle Dixie
Abbie Ferris
Freight Train Foxes
DJ Colonel's Country Music Cottage
Plus more to be announced
