When it comes to country music idols, there’s no-one Finnian Johnson looks up to more than the legendary Aussie singer Troy Cassar-Daly.
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Fifteen-year-old Finnian, of Aberdare, will have the chance to compete for his idol’s eponymous scholarship at the Ekka Country Music Showdown at the Royal Queensland Show in Brisbane on August 20.
The winner will receive entry into the 2018 Tamworth Academy of Country Music, among other prizes.
Finnian said he is excited to be competing for the scholarship, and also to be taking part in a songwriter’s workshop the day before the showdown.
“Troy Cassar-Daley is my idol, and I’d love to do my best,” he said.
Straight after the Ekka, Finnian will head north for the Gympie Music Muster (August 24-27), where he has been invited to take part in the Music Makers Show, which showcases the best young rising country artists in Australia.
He has been invited to be a guest artist at Bill Chambers’ show at Gympie’s Royal Hotel the night before the Muster kicks off.
Finnian said it’s been an amazing year so far, following his success at the Tamworth Country Music Festival in January and the Reg Lindsay Talent Quest in Cessnock in March.
He opened for Amber Lawrence and Catherine Britt at the Hats off to Country festival in Tamworth last month, and supported Adam Eckersley and Brooke McClymont at Wallsend Diggers’ Mezz Bar.
“I’ve met a lot of country artists I look up to,” he said.
And the St Joseph’s Lochinvar Year 10 student’s busy schedule will continue throughout the year, with performances at Country at the Camp at Drovers Camp in November, and supporting Golden Guitar winner and The Voice contestant Lyn Bowtell at Branxton Golf Club’s Christmas spectacular in December.
Finnian is hoping to get some support from local businesses to help cover the costs of the Queensland trip.
Anyone who may be able to help is asked to email bigjohno69@hotmail.com or message Finnian’s artist page (Finnian Johnson Music) on Facebook.
VIDEO: Finnian Johnson opened for Amber Lawrence and Catherine Britt in Tamworth on July 8.
And check out Finnian’s performance at the Reg Lindsay Talent Quest (taken by his brother Tyson) in the post below.
