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The NQ Fast Track Talent Showcase is known for providing opportunities to regional performers and the 2024 event has done just that for one talented 10-year-old.
Lucas Smith performed at the Showcase held at the Burdekin Theatre on Saturday, March 16 and won the Fast Track to Fame Prize, the biggest and most exclusive prize offered to date.
Sponsored by Yoyo Music, Burdekin Shire Council and Burdekin Shire Youth Council, the prize offered Lucas the opportunity to travel and stay in Melbourne to perform live at the Royal Children's Hospital Good Friday Appeal held on March 29.
As part of the experience, Lucas and his family got to go behind the scenes of NEP Studios, where the Good Friday Appeal was filmed, including seeing the camera operators, TV producers, artists and hosts at work.
Lucas even had the opportunity to meet some of his idols including Australian Idol contestant Ivana Ilic and TikTok and The Voice star Sean Millis.
“It was amazing to watch the artists do their sound checks,” he said.
“My favourite part of the morning was getting to meet some of the celebrity artists, like Sean Millis from The Voice and Ivana Ilic from Australian Idol!
“They were all so nice to me!
“I even got to sing for Ivana!”
Lucas and his family then went to the Melbourne Convention Centre where he had the opportunity to perform three songs on stage at The Kids Day Out in front of thousands of people.
“I was so nervous, but it was lots of fun,” he said.
“I learned that the music industry can be a lot of hard work, but if you give it your best, you can achieve great things and have so much fun.
“It was really cool to see the artists interacting with their managers and all the behind-the-scenes production and camera work in the studio.”
With this once in a lifetime opportunity coming off the back of his incredible Fast Track performance, Lucas said others wanting to participate in the Showcase should “just give it a go”.
“It's a great opportunity to showcase your talent, meet new people and have fun!”
Lucas Smith performed in Melbourne after winning the Fast Track to Fame Prize at the NQ Fast Track Talent Showcase in Ayr. Photo supplied
