Country Stars, the brand-new talent search competition on the Sunshine Coast, has revealed its inaugural winners.
That’s right, two artists have taken home the prize and been crowned Country Star in Australia, as they’re both in different categories: Senior Open 18+ and Junior (12-17 years old). 19-year-old Mack Geiger from Brisbane won the Senior award, and 17-year-old Mackenzie Lee from Abermain, NSW, are the first-ever winners of Country Stars Australia.
Described as “one of the largest prize pools ever seen on the Sunshine Coast,” the winners will receive $15,000 in cash and lucrative career opportunities.
Said opportunities include studio recording and distribution packages, as well as filming, photography, mentoring, merchandise, hair, beauty and clothing. Plus, the winners have earned a chance to perform at next year’s edition of the iconic free country music loving festival, Gympie Music Muster.
Following his win, Geiger took to Instagram Stories and wrote, “Congrats to all the finalists. I’ll be in the studio with some new music very soon.”
Mack Geiger via Instagram Stories
After her win, Lee wrote on social media, “I won!!! Woo hoo Big congratulations also to Mack Geiger for taking out the senior section!
“I’d like to massively thank [Country Stars founder] Col Finley and the Country Stars Australia team along with Maleny Show Society for a fantastic weekend! And thank you to all the sponsors.” Lee thanked all the sponsors, including Nyssa Ray Recordings, Music 2 Media, ARIA Guitars, Gympie Music Muster, Pro Music Australia, Country Music Capital News, and more.
She continued, “Last but not least, thank you to the Country All Stars band! You guys rock!! And thank you to all behind the scenes that put this all together!! I’m absolutely thrilled!!”
Earlier this year, Countrytown shared the video premiere for Mackenzie Lee’s song, Let My Love Drown.
We said about the single:
Like many of the greatest country songs, Let My Love Drown is a song about heartbreak and follows Lee as she asks for love to drown after a relationship comes to an end. Singing against epic trees and strumming her acoustic guitar as an electric guitar accompanies her song, Lee sounds far wiser, way stronger and more accomplished than any young singer has a right to be.