At the weekend, Michael won the Gympie Muster Talent Search ahead of a group of more than 120 hopefuls who competed for the title and all the opportunities that come with it.

Michael entered the competition in the modern country section, getting through all the heats to the semi finals, where he was judged by representatives of Sony Music and Maton Guitars.

Michael and two other finalists then made it to the grand final where he performed three songs - an original called Keeps Me Alive, Brad Paisley's Easy Money and Brooks and Dunn's Play Something Country on the main stage at the Muster.

Michael said that it was an amazing experience to play on the main stage and then to be crowned the winner.

“It's good because I'm not the best singer in the world but since I write my own songs, and play guitar, I think the judges liked the complete package,” he said.

Michael won a swag of prizes, including a Maton guitar valued at $2779, a gig at the West Tamworth Leagues Club at the 2010 Tamworth Country Music Festival, an Akubra hat and an opportunity to perform on the main stage at next year's Gympie Muster.

Best of all, Michael will be flown to Canada to perform at the 2010 Merritt Mountain Festival with all expenses paid plus $3000 spending money.

Michael said one of the best parts of the experience was the opportunity to meet many people in the music industry.

“It was fantastic,” he said.

This is Michael's second big award in the country music world, winning the Aristocrat Country Entertainer of the Year at this year's Tamworth Country Music Festival.