Country Klancie awes Idol fans

FROM the dusty plains of Outback Queensland to the bright stage lights of Sydney, country girl Klancie Keough has finally found her niche.

Last Monday the 25-year-old from ‘Judith Royl’ near Richmond was named in the top 10 finalists for the reality television show Australian Idol.

A feat that is "surreal" for Klancie’s big sister, Leigh Pickering.

"It’s always been her dream, but you just don’t get the opportunities where we live," Mrs Pickering said.

Mrs Pickering said family and friends were instantly on the phone encouraging Klancie to try out for the gig when Australian Idol announced they were conducting auditions in Mount Isa earlier in the year.

The reality television show professes to give ordinary Aussies the chance at musical stardom, conducting talent searches across the country to seek out gifted singers who ordinarily wouldn’t have the chance to be noticed.

"Her first competition performance was at the Richmond Country Music Festival last year where she was runner-up," Mrs Pickering said on behalf of Klancie who is currently under a total media ban due to Idol regulations.

"We all knew she would be great, but she really didn’t think she would do any good.
"Then family and friends found out about the Idol auditions, everyone really got behind her, encouraging her to try out."

Sticking close to her country roots, Klancie has managed to woo the show’s judges, but most importantly she has charmed the voting public to ensure she remains in the competition.

Singing songs by country artists like Dolly Parton and the Dixie Chicks, Klancie is sharing with a broader audience what rural people know about country lifestyle: it’s not all heartache and lost love.

But for sister Leigh, it’s Klancie personal development, alongside her musical talents, which is impressing her friends and family.

"We are all extremely proud of her.

"She is the baby of the family and has to a certain extent always relied on someone being there for her.
"To do the 800-kilometre round trip just to audition for Idol on her own was a big step for her.
"It’s been surreal though, looking up and seeing Klancie on the TV.
"It’s great to see that she becoming more and more independent. Her confidence is really growing.
"I think Klancie is starting to say, ‘I can do it on my own’."

Up until her Idol call up, Klancie had been working on ‘Judith Royl’ providing educational support for her young nephews. In the past she has tried her hand at accounting, cooking and shearing.

"I had a gut feeling back in March when all the auditions for Idol started that we wouldn’t have Klancie around to teach the children," her sister said. "I was so confident that she would be successful in Idol that I booked a replacement teacher to take over.

"The support has just been incredible.
"We were worried because Imparja doesn’t screen Australian Idol until 11pm on Sunday night, which we thought would affect the voting."

"For the past few weeks, we have been getting at least 20 phone calls on Monday mornings from Klancie’s family and friends asking us to show Australian Idol at an earlier time slot," Imparja program assistant Sharon Bliss explained.

Imparja has now announced that from this Sunday, Australian Idol will be televised at 10pm EST.

The Verdict Show will then also be screened at 10pm EST from Monday, October 2.