Engineering a country performance

As the date gets ever closer, Stars In Your Eyes competitors are putting the final touches on their performance for this Saturday night.

While he lives the country lifestyle, being an avid fisherman, hunter and motorbike rider on both dirt and tarmac, Rowan McKay-Simpson will be diving in even deeper, playing country star Colter Wall on October 11 at the ASB Theatre.

“I have been playing guitar for 12 years, and I love to play a wide variety of music ranging from jazz to hard rock.

“I have been admiring his music for a couple of years now because I admire Colter’s calm stage presence, technical guitar skills and gruff baritone voice.”

The Sounds Aero Maintenance trainee aeronautical engineer has chosen the mental health charity Healthy Bastards after being convinced by the cause after hearing the founder on a podcast.

“Dr Dave Baldwin is a flying doctor with a passion for supporting all health and mental health especially, and an amazing guy who champions Healthy Bastards’ mission “to get any unhealthy or unfortunate bastard in our society back in track”.

“I first became interested in flying about two years ago and found it helps with my mental health. Being able to lift off and take a break is awesome and I love the feeling of taking off and everything falling away. I am both nervous and excited about performing, but mostly excited to join this fun event and support our community.”