Two rising young country music stars from Otago are among six finalists in a national television talent show, who will be facing off against each other live tomorrow.
Former Mount Aspiring College pupil Jody Direen (22), who splits her time between her hometown, Wanaka, and Rakaia, and Dunedin teenager Kylie Price (18), who attends Kavanagh College, have both made it through to the finals of Good Morning's Find a Star competition after their performances on Monday's televised round of semi-finals generated favourable scores from the judging panel and a strong text-voting response from viewers.
If Direen or Price triumph in the competition, they will win a prize package which includes career-development training with New Zealand musician and promoter Gray Bartlett, an opportunity to record their own single and a music contract-seeking trip to Sydney, accompanied by Bartlett.
"I generally stay out of the competition scene ... It's just a policy I have with my career, but when something like this comes along when the prize will actually further my career, it's definitely worth it," Direen said.
Direen's debut album, Here We Go, released on April 30 this year, has sold more than 700 copies and a boost in sales has been evident since her television appearance on Monday, when she performed the album's title track. Price, a former Gold Guitar winner, sang Black and Gold.
Direen said, while she was "in it to win it", making it as far as the semifinals had been reward enough as the national television exposure provided an opportunity to raise her profile and advance the country music industry in New Zealand.
"I would love to be able to give country music a better name in New Zealand," she said.
"Everywhere I go, I try and encourage people to open their minds to country music."
Good Morning's Find a Star finals episode screens from 9am tomorrow. The winner will be determined by a combination of public text voting and judges' scores.
