Bendigo musician John Lingard might have missed out on first prize in the Road to Discovery talent search, but his trip to Tamworth last week wasn’t wasted.
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After his performance Lingard received a very flattering compliment from one of Australia’s leading country artists.
“Kasey Chambers came up to me afterwards and said it was really good, and she whispered that I was her and (her husband) Shane’s favourite,” Lingard said. “I didn’t tell anyone that at the time of course, but humbly I’m quite proud of that now.”
The modest 25-year-old said making industry contacts like Chambers was the best part of the Road to Discovery experience.
All of the finalists received mentoring from Ella Hooper, a musical idol of Lingard’s.
“It was just a joy to be a part of it all and the actual event was mind-blowing,” he said. “The band was world class and it was amazing to be on stage with them because they played so well.
“And I played well too, which was great because normally I’m never happy with how I sound.”
The finalists performed to an audience of about 900 at Australia’s biggest country music festival.
“It was the biggest crowd I have played my original songs to,” Lingard said. “I kept thinking I was going to forget the lyrics, so I must have read my song ten time before I went on stage, but I was fine on stage I felt really relaxed.”
Lingard said he wasn’t bitter about losing out to Melbourne singer Gena Bruce. “Every performer deserved something, because everybody who was performing did so well,” he said.
