Daniel, Benjamin and Esther have just returned from the Tamworth Country Music Festival where they competed in the Toyota Busking Championships. Photo: Jarryd Rowley.
Benjamin, Daniel and Esther have loved music for as long as they have been alive.
The trio, known as The Little Riverina Band, originally started touring retirement villages and busking to put their name out there.
After several years of covering some of the best music ever written and having produced an album of their own, the young siblings have now experienced the world-renowned Tamworth Country Music Festival.
The trio took part in a couple of competitions, including the Toyota Busking Championships. While the band didn’t place, they admitted the experience was unlike anything else they’d experienced.
“It was such an awesome time; we were there for the entire 10 days of the festival, and we got to see a lot of people perform in a bunch of competitions,” Benjamin said.
“We were in a busking competition where people would walk past and pick their favourite performers.
“We finished 44th, but it was a lot of fun, and we really enjoyed being there with a lot of other great artists.”
While the trio enjoyed their time in the busking competition, Daniel was the only one of the three who was able to take part in the Golden Gig competition, which is limited to performers under 12 years old.
The youngest of the three siblings, he even claimed second place at the Macca’s Golden Gig 2026, officially making him one of the best young country singers in Australia.
Benjamin was able join his young brother onstage, where he played the infamous yet stylish keytar.
“We played two songs as part of our set,” Daniel said.
“The two songs were Small Town by John Mellencamp and Wasted Time by Keith Urban. I really enjoy playing both of those songs; they’re a little different from each other, but they’re both fun.
“It was nice to have my brother on stage with me, even if he wasn’t getting judged for the award.”
Daniel’s placing marks the second time he has placed on the podium for the Golden Gig award, placing third in 2024.
Daniel said he was looking to complete the trifecta and take the top step in 2027.
“I’m just going to keep playing and keep practising,” he said.
“I really want to win; I think I can and I’m looking forward to going back and trying again.”
While The Little Riverina Band might have grown accustomed to the bright lights of international country music festivals, the trio said it was important to continue doing smaller gigs and travelling around their local area.
The trio will perform at Bidgee Strawberries and Cream in late February as part of their Teddy Bears’ Picnic event.
“We started performing at retirement villages and places like that, so we always enjoy performing in places in the area,” Esther said.
“We will play for seniors or babies. We just like playing; for us it’s like reading a book.
“We learnt to play really young, and now it’s just what we love doing.”
Bidgee Strawberries and Cream’s free Teddy Bears’ Picnic event will be held on Saturday 21 February, 10 am – noon.
Be sure to follow The Little Riverina Band on Facebook.
