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'King and Queen of the Song'  -  Original Song Competition
Noosa Junction, Queensland - Australia  (
28/8/08 - 23/10/08)
 

Organiser of the King and Queen of Song - original song competition, Jay Bishop arrived on the Sunshine Coast ten years ago when all the original music venues were being shut down:  The Yandina Club, The Beach Chalet and others.  His inspiration of creating possibilities of how musicians can still have a place to perform was a high priority of his.
 

“A dark cloud hung over the Noosa music scene venue-wise, but I sensed a great spirit still nurtured in the hearts of the musicians. I felt there was a need for quality events that would nurture a healthy original music scene here.  I started Peregian Originals, and a couple of years later, I ran the first King and Queen of the Song. It was huge, and I have continued running it, based on demand, wherever it is wanted. It moves around the coast to different host venues, but always goes very well at Irish Murphys. The staff are all very warm and supportive there, and the atmosphere is good.

 

 

This event is about celebrating grass roots original music community. It reminds us how exhilarating and wonderful live original music can be. It is more than 'an opportunity for the artists to express themselves'; it is also a splendid opportunity for the public to come out and be blown away by the awesome local talent. The 'competition' aspect is minor, and really just adds a fun sparkle to things. Of course, it also allows us to give away cash and great music-related prizes to performing songwriters, which works well for everyone,” highlights Jay.

     Performers are scored on:-

  • Lyric - Quality & Originality
  • Musical sensibility - Mood, Melody & Magic
  • Performance - Stage presence, Engagement of audience & Impact

The competition will return next year.

 

FINALIST WINNER 2008
Australian singer/songwriter - Nick Latta.  AusNotebook Music & Creative
Above photo taken by Kristina Sinclair

Nick also won week 7 of the competition (see list below)

Click here for article on Nick Latta

  Finalist Winner: 
Nick Latta (solo)
www.myspace.com/nicklattaband

A standing ovation for this humble Sydneysider,
Nick Latta winning the final of the
'King and Queen of the Song' Original Song competition.

Nick's comments on winning:-

"I decided to go back, I thought, well bugger it!  I’ve never actually won anything on my own before, I don’t perform that much by myself.  I thought well bugger it, go up and give it a go.  And obviously it worked out really well for me. 

I flew up on Thursday afternoon (competition was Thursday night) and few back (Sydney) Friday afternoon.

I was astatic, I was very emotional, like I said I have never won anything in my life, it was weird for me.  The fact that people appreciated what I was doing [and] the stuff I have written.  Can’t explain how much that means to me." 

WINNERS OF THE PREVIOUS WEEKS LEADING UP TO THE FINAL

Australian singer/songwriter Luke Goodwin.  Photo by Chrissy Layton, AusNotebook Music & Creative
Photo by Chrissy Layton, AusNotebook Music & Creative
 

  Winner:  Thursday 16/10/08 -  Week 8
Luke Goodwin (second time winner)
www.myspace.com/goodwinmusic


Luke won the competition on week 6 and was surprised he won again.


"I wasn't expecting to win at all tonight.  I thought maybe I've already shown [the judges] what I could do and they would be looking for something else.  So I was really just coming along tonight to have a good time and practice a couple of new songs and see how they went with the crowd.  I was very happy how it worked out. Very, very surprised!"

 

 

Nick Latta Band - Australian Band.  Photo by Chrissy Layton, AusNotebook Music & Creative
Photo by Chrissy Layton, AusNotebook Music & Creative
 

  Winner:   Thursday 9/10/08 - Week 7
Nick Latta Band

www.myspace.com/nicklattaband
 
Sydney based Nick Latta Band were pleasantly surprised of winning this week's competition due to competing with the talented local musicians.

The band's frontman,  Nick Latta comments on winning.

"A little bit surprised.  We knew we were coming into a local competition and we were only here to have a good time and have a play.  Very surprised that we won but much appreciative of the people who enjoyed the music." 

Fellow band member Tim Fisher adds: "There are lots and lots of people up here at Noosa trying to have a go and really get into it, it's great to see there is such a live music scene happening up here.  Its really, really encouraging".     
 

Australian singer/songwriter Luke Goodwin.  Photo by Chrissy Layton, AusNotebook Music & Creative
Photo by Chrissy Layton, AusNotebook Music & Creative
 

  Winner:  Thursday 2/10/08 - Week 6
Luke Goodwin
www.myspace.com/goodwinmusic

Pacific Paradise resident Luke Goodwin won over a noisy crowd,   as well as winning over the the judges at this week's singer/songwriter contest.  Luke's comments about winning:-

"I was a little surprised actually because there were some really good acts here tonight.  I just didn't think I was any better than the rest who performed.  I was really surprised to hear of the talent who came here, I've been to some other original nights before and the talent that were gathered here tonight was really, really wonderful".     

Australian singer/songwriter duo The Firetree.  Photo by Chrissy Layton, AusNotebook Music & Creative
Photo by Chrissy Layton, AusNotebook Music & Creative

  Winner:  Thursday 25/9/08 - Week 5
The Firetree
www.myspace.com/thefiretree

The Firetree's Dale Buchan and Josie Cubis are not just a talented musical duo but are also engaged to be married.  They have been playing together for about two years. The duo are no strangers with mixing and being support acts to celebrity artists including
Missy Higgins and Angie Hart (Frente). 

Both members of The Firetree were thrilled with winning this competition.

"It was a tough competition," says Josie.  "It's a good place to play and it is always nice to get some appreciation".

"And to pay the rent!" adds Dale with a laugh.   
 

Australian singer/songwriter Massey Smith.  Photo by Chrissy Layton, AusNotebook Music & Creative
Photo by Chrissy Layton, AusNotebook Music & Creative
 

  Winner:  Thursday 18/9/08 - Week4
Massey Smith
www.myspace.com/masseysmith



Recently relocated from Caloundra, Massey now resides nearby at Peregian.   Massey makes similar comments to the previous week winners by noting the high standard of performances of the night.  He briefly comments about winning week four....

"I was blown a way!  Plenty talent in the room so I didn't know what was going to happen.  It was heaps of fun."

Australian singer/songwriter Tom Waterhouse.  Photo by Chrissy Layton, AusNotebook Music & Creative
Photo by Chrissy Layton, AusNotebook Music & Creative
 

  Winner:  Thursday 11/9/08 - Week 3
Tom Waterhouse
www.myspace.com/twaterhouse

Tewanin base, Tom Waterhouse was delighted with winning whereas the previous week he came second. Hearing about the competition in a free magazine Tom decided to enter the competition.  British born, he has been living close by in Tewanin for the last six weeks.

Tom highlights that the standard of the performers are very high. His comments about winning:-

"I was very surprised. I played last week and I came second, that was very good, I  didn't think I would win it this week.  I was very happy, very surprised, in shock!" says Tom.
 

Australian singer/songwriter Andrew Healey.  Photo taken by Chrissy Layton, AusNotebook Music & Creative.
Photo by Chrissy Layton, AusNotebook Music & Creative

  Winner:  Thursday 4/9/08 - Week 2
Andrew Healey

www.myspace.com/andrewhealey
www.facebook.com/pages/Andrew-Healey

Andrew's views about what the competition means to him.

"The competition is great.  I really like seeing different styles.  There is nothing more inspirational than coming down on nights like this....  I think probably  my song writing definitely came from this sort of thing.  Where you see a whole pile of different musicians, different stages in artists development as well as their different styles which is absolutely wonderful.  You get absolutely blown away by some people.  You think ‘my god’ that appeals to me, that appeals to everybody!   You also find artists you like as well as seeing this amazing potential for them and it's just fantastic.  I’ve always loved these sorts of nights.  My favourite sort of way to play!" 
 

Karen Smith, singer/songwriter.  AusNotebook Music & Creative.
Photo compliments of Karen Smith

 

Winner:  Thursday 28/8/08 - Week 1
Karen Smith
www.myspace.com/karensmithmusic

Karen describes how she felt about winning the competition:-

"Amazed and over the moon! I hadn't gone to the event to compete, I had just set myself a personal challenge to get up in public and play after nearly ten years of not doing. The  standard  of singer/songwriters on the night was really high, so I was just happy to be sharing the stage with them and grateful for the opportunity to do so. I loved performing in front of an Australian audience for the first time!"

     

 

Not all winners of the finals below are listed above.  The musicians that are are listed with an * below also won the competition on the specific night they performed during the season (which is covered above).

 

Listed below are prizes received for the Finals are in order of winning:-


*Nick Latta  - $700 & $210 worth of Music vouchers

  Brett Orr - the Roland & $100 cash

*Andrew Healy - 8hrs at Sparky Recording studio & $100 cash
 
*Fire Tree - $300 cash
 
  Zenith - 8hrs PPS Recording studio
 
  Col Meredith - $65



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