Sister act shines at Muster talent comp

Katrina and Rebecca Burley are over the moon about winning the Maton Talent Search at the Optus National Music Muster.

Craig Warhurst

COUNTRY Music duo Sista Burley has won The Maton Muster Talent Search at the National Music Muster.

It was the first time the twin sisters won a competition performing together, Rebecca Burley said.

Her sister Katrina won the 2009 Voice of Urban Country Talent Search, and in January she took out the Tamworth Aristocrat Country Music Entertainer of the Year.

The 20-year-old Burley twins have been performing across the nation since the age of seven.

But it was “amazing” for the duo to finally win an award together at their second year entering the Muster Talent Search.

“It was fantastic and completely unexpected,” Rebecca said.

Sista Burley entered the modern and gospel country sections at the Talent Search and came first in both heats, after coming third last year.

At the semi-finals they sang modern country songs Rattlin' Bones by Kasey Chambers and Shane Nicholson, If Tomorrow Never Comes by Garth Brooks, and Settle Down by the McClymonts. The duo was one of three acts chosen to go through to the grand finals.

Then the Woodford-based duo won the grand final held at the Muster Main Stage. “I still can't believe it's us,” Rebecca said

The girls have won a trip to Canada for a gig at the 19th Big Valley Jamboree, a Maton Guitar, an in- studio recording with ABC Country, a gig at Tamworth Leagues Club, an Akubra and a gig on the Main Stage at next year's Muster.

Rebecca said she had wanted a Maton guitar for a long time and was grateful to Katrina for offering it to her.

They are very excited to have the chance to perform at an overseas music festival and the Gympie Muster - this year was the fifth time they attended the country music festival.

As a Muster media supporter, ABC Country offered an in-studio audio and video recording deal in the Sydney-based ABC Studios, facilitated by an ABC Digital Radio recording engineer and airplay on ABC Country - something that will help the girls take their career to new heights.

“I think this is the start of our career, we're really going to knuckle down...Try to give 100 per cent and get out there and get recognised.”

Both talented sisters play guitar, mandolin and piano, as well as sing. Katrina also plays clarinet, baritone sax, tenor sax and bass guitar. Rebecca, who also plays trombone, said they were inspired by their aunt and uncle who always sang.

After getting into high school they picked up a Garth Brooks album and started to really enjoy country music. Rebecca said Brooks was her favourite artist, while Katrina's was Dolly Parton.

The best friends work together to create beautiful harmonies and originals based on true life experiences.

Sista Burley has made it to the top 15 of the TSA and CCMA songwriters awards with their latest single Rainy Afternoon.

“All country music is our influence. We started off listening to Kasey Chambers and followed the genre from there,” Rebecca said.