Michael was successful in making it through his heat and joined 15 others to progress to the Grand Final where he was required to perform two songs.

“I sang an original song called ‘Hey John’ and Brooks and Dunn’s ‘Play Something Country’,” explained Michael.

Having impressed the audience and the judging panel, which included popular country artist Beccy Cole, Michael was announced as the winner with his prize including $2000 and ten hours of recording time at Fat Track Studios in Tamworth.

“I was not expecting to win. I just went in it for the fun and the experience,” said Michael.

Michael has been in Tamworth since the beginning of January after being accepted into the College of Country Music.

At the two week college he has been working with artists such as Travis Collins, Jim Haynes and Merylen Carter (from Carter and Carter), with visits from Adam Harvey, Troy Cassar Daley and the Sunny Cowgirls. The college incorporates two weeks of intensive studies of the Australian country music industry covering songwriting, musicianship, recording, stagecraft and business management.

“The best part of the college was working on one of my original songs with producer and former Ted Mulry Gang drummer, Herm Kovak. It has also been so much fun jamming with Travis Collins and the other college students until early hours of the morning every day.”

Michael also competed in the CMAA National Talent Quest on Friday, entering in the instrumental, gospel and vocal sections. Unfortunately the instrumental section was cancelled due to lack of entrants; however Michael made it to the grand final in the gospel

and vocal.

He gained second place in the vocal section and picked up further prize money of $200.

After an enjoying time in Tamworth, Michael will head back to Sydney to continue his studies at the JMC Academy of Music in Surry Hills with the ambition of becoming a music teacher.