A POP-UP gig from country music singer Billie-Jo Porter from Coffs Harbour saw the Toyota Star Maker talent search finalist perform in a free, mini concert in Coffs Toyota showroom on Orlando Street, last Friday, 11 March.

In the lead-up to the Grand Final, held during the Tamworth Country Music Festival in April, the regional pop-up concerts are a great opportunity for finalists to meet their fans and get a bit of showtime in front of an audience.

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Country music fans David and Howie, presenters from 2AIRFM, Coffs’ local radio station, popped down for the show and had a chat with Billie-Jo.

“I kicked off with ‘Eyes Wide Open’ and then I got a request from David, (to play) ‘Head Full Of Honey’,” Billie-Jo told News Of The Area.

“It’s a popular country music song that I co-wrote with Andrew Swift – he got to No. 7 on the Australia-wide Country Music charts with it.

“I hadn’t thought about playing it but when David asked, I thought…OK, and played it.”

Set up in front of a shiny new Toyota Hilux, Billie-Jo laughed, “I couldn’t get too excited and scratch it.”

Michael Ruff, Coffs Harbour Toyota Sales Manager told NOTA that despite the weather not being conducive to the planned outdoors performance, Billie-Jo put on a great performance and the locals who came along enjoyed being up close and personal.

“To have reached the top ten as a finalist in the Toyota Star Maker talent contest is such an achievement and if she wins, well, the world is her oyster really,” Michael said.

“This region is a bit of a breeding ground, with The McClymonts, Troy Cassar-Daley and Slim Dusty all coming from the Mid North Coast.”

With five weeks to go until the Grand Final in Tamworth on April 19, Billie-Jo has a line-up of gigs in and around Coffs.

On Sunday 20 March, Billie-Jo plays The Hoey Moey and Great Southern Nights GIRL PWR event.

It starts at 12-noon and is a free ticketed event, celebrating a full day of live music showcasing an all-female line-up.

Scotts Head venue, Scotts Hub, welcomes Billie-Jo on Saturday, 26 March 6:00pm to 8:30pm.

See all Billie-Jo’s concert dates at www.billiejoporter.com/tour.

By Andrea FERRARI