Peter Blundell Memorial Talent Search Returns To Great Keppel Island

Peter Blundell Memorial Talent Search Returns To Great Keppel Island

Emerging country artists from across Australia and beyond are being invited to enter the Peter Blundell Memorial Talent Search, with entries closing October 5 ahead of the competition on Great Keppel Island on Friday, November 13.

The talent search will kick off the 2026 Sunset Sessions on Great Keppel Island, giving five emerging artists the opportunity to perform in front of an audience, industry professionals and award-winning country artists while competing for the title.

The competition honours the late Peter Blundell, a passionate supporter of emerging talent and the instigator of Country on Keppel, which previously brought live country music to the Great Keppel Island Hideaway.

Peter’s commitment to providing opportunities for emerging artists continues through the memorial talent search, which gives performers the chance to gain valuable performance experience, industry exposure and mentoring from established Australian country artists.

There are no age restrictions on entries, with the competition open to all emerging performers.

Five finalists will be selected from the entries by a panel of award-winning artists and music industry professionals before travelling to Great Keppel Island to compete in the live talent search.

The winner will take home a Takamine guitar and road case, along with mentoring to support their development as an artist.

All five finalists will also receive in-person mentoring from acclaimed Australian country artists James Blundell and Lyn Bowtell, providing an opportunity to gain valuable insight and guidance from two artists with extensive experience in the Australian country music industry.

The talent search has already attracted entries from well beyond the local region, with previous finalists travelling from as far afield as Western Australia and New Zealand to take part.

Last year’s winner, Lily-Grace Grant from Northern NSW, will return to Great Keppel Island this November to perform, giving audiences the chance to see a previous winner back on the island and continuing her musical journey.

The Peter Blundell Memorial Talent Search continues Peter’s commitment to giving emerging artists a platform and connecting the next generation of country performers with established artists and industry professionals.

With the competition open to artists of all ages and previous finalists travelling from across Australia and New Zealand, performers are encouraged to put their names forward before entries close.

Entries close October 5

The Peter Blundell Memorial Talent Search will be held on Great Keppel Island on Friday, November 13 as part of Sunset Sessions on Great Keppel Island – November 13 and 14, 2026.

ENTER: Peter Blundell Memorial Talent Search
EVENT: Sunset Sessions on Great Keppel Island
DATE: Friday, November 13, 2026
LOCATION: Great Keppel Island, Queensland
ENTRIES CLOSE: October 5, 2026
PRIZE: Takamine guitar and road case, plus further mentoring opportunities
MENTORING: James Blundell and Lyn Bowtell
FINALISTS: Five artists selected to compete live on Great Keppel Island