GEELONG chiropractorJames Sidebottom hopes his rather than his hands will work its magic over judges at a national talent competition in Tamworth next week.
Sidebottom is one of three contestants vying for a Telstra Road to Discovery best songwriter title, with the winner to be revrealed next week at Tamworth Country Music Festival.
His two rivals – Western Australia’s Morgan Brain and New South Wales’ Melody Pool – would be “tough competition”, Sidebottom said.
“They’re amazing musicians and seeing where they’re at in their development wows me.
“They were leaps and bounds ahead of where I was at their age.”
But Sidebottom hoped his self-described John Mayer-esque “folk-acoustic pop”and original lyrics would secure victory.
He admitted a preference for other styles of music but was attracted as a songwriter to the country genre’s tradition of “heartfelt lyrics”.
“There’s a lot to be learnt about putting yourself into a song and (country music) is very earnest in that way.”
Sidebottom believed a win would “open doors” from him as it had for previous winners including 2003 title holder Jessica Mauboy, who progressed to fame in music and acting.
“It’s hard to make money from music and I have my own chiropractic business but it would be great to play music more,” he said.
