Ohope girl Scoops at Tamworth Country Music Competition

Last month Cherie Sinclair competed in the Australian Artistocrat Country Music Entertainer of the year where she was named a grand finalist - a competition she discovered at last minute changing her flight a day earlier to compete in.

Out of about 60 plus artists from week long heats she made the top three final contestants of the Coca Cola Battle of the New Artists finally coming runner up.

There were roughly forty or so competitors for the entertainer of the year comp and well over 65 competitors for the Battle of the New Artists. Forty was turned into roughly five and 65 turned into three for the finals.

Cherie felt it was an eye opening experience with very singer at the festival playing an instrument well singing a lot of their own material something she believes we aren’t used to seeing as much of here in New Zealand.

“I play both guitar and keyboard but definitely need to up my skill so I’m thinking about learning the mandolin for something extra.

“It reminded me how hungry everyone else is out there for musical success which has driven me to work even harder than I was before I went.

“It changed a lot of my goals, I guess we all think of getting a recording deal and making and releasing music for the rest of our lives is the way to go but in this day and age it’s not a necessity,” said Sinclair.

Ms Sinclair will be looking to learn as much as possible about releasing music independently, funding her way rather than seeking a recording deal or contract.

She believes the way technology is advancing that it’s easy to market yourself through social media platforms so this will be part of her plans and goals this year.

She is currently in the early stages of recording her first single ‘Alive’ with Mill Corner Recording Studios due for release this year and writing an album.

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