Mackay’s Bella Mackenzie wins big at island music festival

The country musician was excited to be the first winner for the talent search competition.

Singer-songwriter Bella Mackenzie released her new single Dance in the Rain on May 15.

MACKAY songstress Bella Mackenzie hasn't let a pandemic slow her down, but it has interrupted her plans for what was to be a big year.

Fresh from a successful performance at Country on Keppel earlier this month, Mackenzie chatted with the Daily Mercury about what it meant to win the talent search, the island and the festival vibe.

At just 15, Mackenzie has an exciting future ahead and one given a lift when she won the Green Brothers Country on Keppel Talent search on Friday, November 13 - the day before the festival officially kicked off.

It earned her a gig at the festival opening the next night.

"It was awesome; a couple of my friends were in it," the muso said of the talent search.

"It was good to catch up with them and get some experience, and the judges were obviously amazing."

Mackenzie lined up against other musicians such as Matthew Munro, Keely Sliwka, Rae Leigh and Mitch Rolfe in the talent search, with each performer given 20 minutes and free rein on what to do with the time.

"They were all really talented and obviously … I've grown up in comps with all of them," Mackenzie said.

"So I knew all of them pretty well and went in to do my best and again get the experience and came out victorious, which was good.

"Seeing all the people who just love country music like me, it was really cool to play to them."

She said it was exciting to perform in front of judges such as James Blundell and Matt Cornell, and Country on Keppel had a casual atmosphere and supportive vibe between each artist.

"The festival is the best of both worlds with country and the beach," Mackenzie said.

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"If anyone was thinking of coming to the festival or doing the talent quest, definitely do it - it opens up so many opportunities and it's lots of fun to get to know the other people in the industry and learn from them as they perform."

Country on Keppel was scheduled for July but was moved to November because of COVID-19 restrictions.

Festival organiser Peter Blundell said it was a success despite the change of date.

"Although there was a lot of uncertainty this year due to COVID-19 restrictions and border closures, the 2020 Country on Keppel festival doubled its numbers from last year, with just over 400 music fans joining us at Great Keppel Island Hideaway," he said.

"There aren't a lot of other country festivals held on an island and the relaxed atmosphere of the festival means fans have access to the artists and everyone is here to mingle and have a fun weekend.

"Country on Keppel 2020 also demonstrated that festivals can proceed, with COVID-safe regulations in place."

Mackenzie said COVID had no impact on the talent search competition but enjoyed the judges and how talented they were.

She said her debut single, Dance in the Rain, was released this year and she planned to record new music and release the songs next year.

Visit Bella Mackenzie for more information.

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