Noosa performer Sari Abbott’s star rises and rises with a Tamworth gig that may be the making of her

Sari Abbott will be one of 15 chosen country prodigies from across three states to hone her playing and stage craft at the Junior Academy of Country Music in Tamworth development sessions starting this Saturday.

Sunrise Beach musical talent Sari Abbott is Tamworth bound this weekend as part of a select group of young musicians.

Versatile Sunrise Beach teenage musical talent Sari Abbott is taking the country road to hopefully future stardom this week.

Abbott will be one of 15 chosen country prodigies from across three states to hone her playing and stage craft at the Junior Academy of Country Music in Tamworth development sessions starting this Saturday.

The Year 12 St Teresa’s Catholic College student said she was excited by the prospect of learning first hand from the likes of multi-Golden Guitar winner and academy director Lyn Bowtell and Academy general manager Roger Corbett, who is also a major Tamworth country music festival award winner.

“I’ve never been to the academy before but I have a lot of friends in the industry who have been there,” Abbott said.

“It’s not only great getting to know people (in the industry) but just learning from other people.

“There’s so many things that you can’t learn unless you speak to those people that are part of the industry who have done it before.”

At just 17, the veteran busker is already wise enough not to pouring her creative energies into just one genre.

Looking for a bright future is Sunrise Beach performer Sari Abbott.

Abbott, who is inspired by free-spirited artists such as John Butler, started singing and playing when she was 14 and focuses on folk, country and alternate music.

“I find it very hard to find a particular genre to play, because I just love playing a bit of everything,” she said.

“I hear a song that I think would be cool to play, I just give it a go.

“It’s a bit more free to play what you like,” Abbott said.

She is soon to take to the stage of the Gympie Muster again after previously performing on the main stage as a top 10 finalist as the audience for her music grows despite the Covid-19 pandemic.

During the live playing bans that hit the music industry hard, Abbott like many performers took to playing online.

“I did miss it (playing to a live flesh and blood audience), it was bit weird playing to your phone but it was good because supportive comments would come up from everyone,” Abbott said.

Her highlight credits to date include being listed on Triple J Unearthed, playing the 2019 Byron Bay Bluesfest and having been named as a top five finalist in the second annual Green Brothers Country on Keppel Talent Search that runs on July 16.