1. DENISE BROOKS – (Tinana Qld)

Denise has been performing regularly on the local Country Music circuit since 1999 as a member of the Wide Bay branch of the ACMA (Australasian Country Music Association). Recognised throughout the region as a very talented country drummer, Denise started competing at Country Music Festivals as a vocalist and discovered that her easy listening and relaxed vocal style lends itself extremely well to Bush Ballads - a style of music she has always favoured. Between March and September 2003, Denise has competed in 5 Festivals winning vocal awards at all including 2 firsts in Female Bush Ballad and 1 Overall Bush Ballad. The highlight of the year was becoming the Emerald Gems of Country Overall Winner singing the Stan Coster Bush Ballad - "Just A Little Girthy".

2. COL DUNCAN – ( Mackay QLD)

Born at Emerald in Central Queensland, Col Duncan grew up in the Clermont District amongst cattle and horses, and down to earth country people. During those early years, Col worked as a Clerk, Storeman, Labourer, Shearing Shed Hand, Ringer, and Drover. Col joined the Australian Regular Army, and served as an Infantry Soldier with the First Battalion Royal Australian Regiment. He then joined the Queensland Police Force (now the Queensland Police Service) and served for some (31) years in such towns as Cloncurry, Blackall, Boulia, Duchess. In October 1976, Col attended Government House, Brisbane where he was presented with the Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct by the then Queensland Governor of the day, Sir Colin Hannah. Whilst serving during the 1990's, Col performed with the Queensland Police Service, Public Relations productions "Rocking the Blues" under the directorship of Greg Doolan, of Wickety Wak fame. In the main these performances were done as a Charity fundraiser for the likes of Camp Quality. and other worthy organisations. Col has always liked Country Music from a young age, it was not until some (6) years ago that he joined a Country Music Club and started competing in local Country Music Festivals. During which time he has won numerous Awards in all Sections of Country Music. This prompted him to produce a CD titled 'Country Music at Heart' almost 2 years ago, which contains (16) tracks of some of the most requested Country songs. Col has also written a short authentic Story called ' Jim McCrae - Horseman of Renown' which was published in OUT BACK VOICES for 2OO2 Year of the Outback. Col enjoys mixing with people of all walks of life, and performing his music.

3. MATTHEW MANNING – (Casino NSW)

Matthew is 19 years of age and has been singing since he was 6 years old. He began playing guitar at the age of 8 and dedicated a lot of time to instrumental work with strong support from Barry Thornton. He has been competing successfully on the South Queensland and Northern NSW Talent Quest Circuit for 12 years winning many trophies for vocal as well as instrumental sections. He has been a finalist in Queensland Champion of Champions each year since 1993 - 2002 in vocal sections as well as Instrumental section where he was finalist 1998,1999, runnerup 2000, winner in 2001. He has been part of Country and Music Clubs playing in backing bands at festivals and assisting young members with their music playing for them at practice sessions and club events. He left the club scene 18 months ago to pursue a career as a vocalist, guitarist instrumentalist and has now decided to make his career in the bush ballad industry. He plays and sings in a family band performing traditional country music and has done some session work over the past 12 months learning another facet of the industry. He plays rhythm, lead, and bass guitars as well as drums, he also enjoys sound engineering. He would like to follow his chosen path now in traditional country with his main emphasis being Australian Bush Ballad and Instrumental.

4. ASHLEY COOK - (Thangool Qld)

Ashley was born in Monto Central Queensland and lived there until he moved to Biloela in 1974. He had a traditional country up bringing, helping his parents on their property. He learnt the guitar at a young age and was a member of the Biloela Country Music Club for a few years and he travelled as far as Brisbane, Charters Towers and other local festivals competing until he was fifteen. After leaving school at fourteen he completed an apprenticeship in butchering until he was eighteen. Now at thirty-seven years of age Ashley with wife Toni and their three children Kimberley 13, Scott 9 and Chloe 6 have rejoined the Biloela Country Music Club. Ashley runs his own cattle property at Thangool and also works as a plant operator at Callide mine. Ashley's parents raised him listening to Slim Dusty and other great country music, but Ashley especially liked listening to Slim's bush ballads, now he shares his own love of bush ballads with his children especially with Kimberley joining in and competing in Country Music Festivals. Ashley loves to play the guitar, bass and sometimes lead using the traditional pluck and strum method. Always practicing with his children, Kimberley playing guitar, Scott playing the drums and Chloe listening and learning with her little guitar as they practice. Ashley and Kimberley have successfully competed in festivals with Scott joining in this year playing the drums in instrumentals. Ashley and his family have travelled to Bundaberg, Biloela, Rockhampton, Wandoan, Springsure, Miles, Roma and Emerald. Ashley has won many trophies through competing in the last eight years especially in the bush ballads sections often placing first or second. His dream is to write his own bush ballads, but in the mean time he finds that there are so many good bush ballads out there to learn and to perform. Ashley has done a lot of Charity work with his daughter Kimberley in their local area playing at the Nursing Home, Christmas Trees and in the local shopping centre and sporting functions. Through Ashley's travels with his family to festivals he has met many talented and good people that share his love for bush ballads and country music. Ashley was a finalist in the Bush Balladeers Star Quest 2003 and decided to come back to try his luck for 2004.

5. VICKI WALSH - (Young NSW)

Vicki Walsh is no stranger to performing, starting out in the Young Public School Band and Choir at a young age. After leaving school she became involved with several Country Music Clubs, and has performed extensively throughout NSW, and other states, in Concerts, Talent Quests and Festivals. Vicki has a keen interest in songwriting, and has been a committee member of the Tamworth Songwriters' Association for the past 5 years. She has won many Song writing Awards in 2003 including: Stan Coster Memorial Songwriters' Award - Manilla NSW Bombala Talent Quest - Bombala NSW Clarence Valley Country Muster - Grafton NSW Australian Songwriters' Award - Traralgon Eisteddfod VIC songwriting awards also Include: Parkes Country Music Spectacular - NSW (3 times) Bundy Easter Round up - QLD (3 times) Steel City Songwriting Contest - NSW Queensland Songwriters Awards Vic-Song Competition - VIC Tas & N Z Songwriting Competition – TAS In recent years Vicki has been Overall Winner of many Talent Quests including those held at Forbes, Wagga Wagga, Leeton, Bombala Country Music Clubs; Casino Beef Week; and the Sydney Country Music festival. In 2003, Vicki was a Grand Finalist in Tamworth’s A.B.B.A. Bush Balladeer Star Quest, and in the past has also appeared in the Australian Country Talent Seekers' Quest, Parkes - NSW, Queensland Champion of Champions, Victorian Champion of Champions, and the NSW & ACT Champions Showcase. Vicki was a support act for Lee Kernaghan on the Pass The Hat Around Tour, and has supported artists including Owen Blundell, Rob Fairbairn, and the pop group "Cherry". As well as Country Music, Vicki loves theatre. With the Young Theatre Company this year she performed in "Me And My Girl", last year in `The Pirates Of Penzance', and in 2001 was the Musical Director for their Production of Dimboola.

6. MAL PODMORE (Lightening Ridge NSW)

Accomplished musician playing bass guitar and singing back-up vocals in various groups most of his life from 18 years of age. Worked with Reg Lindsay, John McSweeney, Slim Newton, Ron Odgers and Chad Morgan just to name just a few. Played with "Surfside Four' in the 50's and 60's, "Spinifex" in the 70's and "Sundown" in the 80's and 90's, winning many country festivals including Charters Towers, Home Hill, Rockhampton and Townsville. It wasn't till he moved to the opal mining area of Lightning Ridge in NSW in the late 90's that he started singing solo, playing a six string acoustic guitar. He soon found he had songwriting talents and has recently recorded his first single "Where money can be Found". It has been extensively played on the community radio network across Australia. Now just released from the studio he has a new 5 track CD "Country Life (ext play)". His production team is Wayne Findlay, Bruce Brown and Mark Punch and all tracks were recorded at Alberts Studios in North Sydney, NSW. All songs are written and sung by Mal Podmore.

JACQUI GAYNOR - (Palm Beach QLD )

Singer, pianist, keyboards, guitarist and songwriter.

Jacqui has always had a passion to entertain and touch people through music. After several years touring Europe, USA and Japan as a Piano-Bar singer and Cabaret Artist, her love for Country Music drew her back home where she has entertained with her guitar from Kempsey to Toowoomba. Jacqui's repertoire spans 30 years of music, from Anne Murray ballads to Kasey Chambers and whether relaxing in a Piano-Bar or partying in a Country Pub, her music will reach your heart and soul.

If you would like to be an entrant in the 2005 Bush Balladeer Star Quest go to....Starquest.....