The 16-year old won the junior section overall after his fifth year in the competition, proving that passion and persistence pays off.

New Zealand was strongly represented this year with Kiwi, Zoe Scott, taking out second place in the junior section.

Event co-ordinator and judging panel chair Gina Timms said the talent this year was outstanding , making Anna Rose and Beccy Cole’s task of judging very hard.

Nathaniel also won the Overall at Manilla, after taking out five out of five sections, the Mt Franklins competition and second in the junior male vocal, and first for the best Australian song in the Capital Country Music Associations competitions.

Finalists and winners in the talent quest were announced at the association’s Jamboree Spectacular in the Tamworth Town Hall.

Nathaniel was one of nine selected by Carter and Carter to perform at Capitol Theatre as an up and coming talented artists in the Shine concert.

David Carter introduced Nathaniel as an outstanding young performer with a “unique voice “that they had discovered while he attended the Academy of Country Music.