Little singer big praise

Pint sized country music singer Elizabeth Maindonald won the judges hearts at Wanganui's Muddy River Country Music Awards last month.

The 5-year-old singer from Eltham impressed the judges and audience with her performance of American folk song 'I've Been Working On The Railroad' and won first prize in the "Littlies Section".

Elizabeth, who is a pupil at St Joseph's School Stratford, says she has been singing since she was only two years old.

I love to sing, my mum and dad sing a lot and I like to join in with them.

Elizabeth Maindonald

Elizabeth sings with her parents Lindsey and Anita Maindonald as part of the Redwood Oakes Country Music group and is also a regular performer at the Taranaki Country Music Club. Elizabeth has also performed at other awards nights including the Lower Hutt Country Music Awards and the Waverly Country Music Hoedown.

"I have sung in front of people lots of times but at the competition in Wanganui I was a bit afraid, there were a lot more people watching."

Wanganui's Muddy River Country Music Awards attracts singers and song writers from all over the North Island and is open to children aged 0 - 18.

Elizabeth says leading up to the competition she and her father practised her performance everyday, "I choose to sing 'I've Been Working On The Railroad' because it is my favourite song". For Elizabeth however it's not all about performing, "I've made lots of friends at singing competitions and I like getting to see them again".

Elizabeth's father Lindsey says his daughter's confidence on stage is a great inspiration for other young singers. "Elizabeth performs her heart out when she is on stage. It would be great to see more singers from Taranaki on stage with her at next year's awards."

While competition season is now over for the young vocalist, Elizabeth says she'll still be singing every day at home along with her family.