THE Mackenzie Brothers won Mount Isa’s first busking competition last weekend at the music festival.
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Liam Mackenzie, 16, and brother Darren, 20, had never played together before entering the busking competition, but came out on top and now have dreams to go to Tamworth Country Music Festival in 2016. Liam said he had been playing the guitar for just four years and they entered the competition to have fun and play music. They played outside Michael’s Showcase Jewellers on West Street on Friday, May 15, and had an uplifting reaction from the community.
“We haven’t played outside of our home together,” Darren said. ‘‘Friday was the first time.’’
They began their set on Saturday night with Knee Deep, a Zac Brown Band song, and competed with two other acts that went to the finals.
Darren said they planned to make it to Tamworth in 2016, but just needed a little help and encouragement to get there.
“Music is obviously a gift we have. It would be mad not to take every opportunity to come our way,” Darren said.
Rod and Sherry Simmons, of Discovery Parks Argylla – the major sponsor for this year’s busking competition – said they were proud to sponsor up-and-coming talent in Mount Isa.
“We want this to be a good way to interact with the local community and we hope to support Darren and Liam to make it to Tamworth in 2016,” they said.
“Discovery will have further discussions with the mayor [Tony McGrady] to ramp up support to get these guys there and to encourage more people to join Discovery Parks’
busking competition next
year.”