SINGER TUNES UP FOR ACADEMY
A RISING name in the country music scene, Ayr’s Keely Johnson hopes being accepted into the Country Music Association’s Academy will help further her craft.
The singer shot to fame after recording Turn this to Gold with country star Lee Kernaghan after graduating from the junior Academy of Country Music Tamworth in 2016.
Ms Johnson was one of eight musicians accepted into the senior Academy.
She said she had no idea what to expect but hoped to improve guitar skills.
“I’m hoping to learn more (about the) guitar, to learn more chords and play more songs on stage,” she said.
She has one song in her set where she plays guitar but hopes to increase that number.
First, she will return to her home town of Ayr for a few days, where she will spend Australian Country Music Day today.
Ms Johnson will be joined by Amanda Heartsong, Dom Italiano, Tameka Kennedy, Craig Lloyd, Prayer Aria Lorna Corby, Sally Pottinger and Ruby Gilbert at the two-week intensive academy in Tamworth.
The Academy had been touted as a premier educational opportunity for those wanting to start a career in music.
“The education … at the Academy cannot be found anywhere else,” Academy general manager Roger Corbett said.
“As well as the world-class tutors, songwriters, and industry professionals that the students are able to meet and learn from, the relationships they form are priceless for their development as artists.”