As part of New Zealand Music Month, Waimea Weekly is featuring local bands and musicians throughout May, showcasing the talent and stories behind the region’s thriving music scene. This week, Kate Russell speaks with aspiring country music singer Caci McNeill-Mckechie, who is juggling school, several instruments, and a growing list of awards as she prepares to take on national competitions.
Country music is more than just a hobby for Caci McNeill-Mckechie, it’s part of everyday life.
The 12-year-old spends her spare time singing, learning instruments and competing, with the New Zealand Gold Guitar Awards next on her calendar later this month.
Caci, who attends St Paul’s Catholic School in Richmond, will compete in several categories at the annual awards in Gore, which happen to fall on her 13th birthday.
She will then head to Rotorua this October to represent Nelson in the junior section of the New Zealand Entertainer of the Year competition.
Music has been part of Caci’s world for as long as she can remember.
Her family moved from Blenheim to Nelson when she was nine. She soon joined the Nelson Country Music Club and hasn’t looked back.
She recalls becoming hooked on singing after watching the Disney movie Frozen, belting out Let It Go at every opportunity. Her first performance was at the Springlands School talent quest when she was five.
The young performer has already stacked up a growing list of achievements.
During her first trip to the New Zealand Gold Guitar Awards, she made the junior open final, while last October she was named junior overall winner at the Sun City Awards in Nelson.
More recently, at the Top of the South Country Talent Quest earlier this month, Caci entered four events – junior vocal, under 18 gospel, open New Zealand song and under 18 country rock.
She made the finals in all four categories, winning junior vocal, under 18 gospel and under 18 country rock before taking out the overall under 18 competitor title.
While she has become a familiar face on the country music circuit, she says performing still comes with some nerves.
“The hardest thing is doing the introduction,” she reckons. “I pace a lot backstage… and I always practice the first word.”
Caci also plays the guitar and is learning bass and the keys. Her mum, Monique, says Caci has “the most amazing” teachers, John Philips and Paula Connor.
Caci agrees.
“I’m grateful to have my tutors to help guide me, and I wouldn't be here without them,” she says.
She says her biggest inspiration is American country singer-songwriter Lainey Wilson, and she also looks up to Anne Wilson and Ella Langley.
Caci says she hopes to build a future in the music industry.
“I want to show people what I can do and share my gift.”
