At just 16 years of age – KORA NAUGHTON – is proving herself as an artist with drive and determination.
In 2015, doctors informed Kora that due to a serious spinal cord condition, she would have to give up her passion of cheerleading – a sport she had loved since she was 7 years old. The condition resulted in two surgeries in 12 months and it was during this time that she turned to music. Kora taught herself to play guitar, write songs and sing. This gave her the freedom to channel her emotions through music.
In January 2017, Kora attended her first Tamworth Country Music Festival where she busked for ten days. It was from this moment that she found a new passion in life and knew that country music was what she wanted to do with her future.
Following Tamworth, she applied for and was accepted into the CMAA Junior Academy of Country Music. Part of the application process was creating a recording of her original music, leading to her first single, “Wrong”. The track hit airplay charts all around Australia including #7 on the Australian Country Radio Top 10, #40 on Country Tracks Top 40 and #3 on My Country Australia’s Top 40.
Throughout the year, Kora performed alongside the likes of Amber Lawrence and Bill Chambers and has appeared at various events including the Nellijam Winter Breaker Country Party and the Sir Ivan Fire Benefit in Dunedoo alongside Brewn, Jess Holland and Adam Eckersley Band.
In August 2017, Kora was named a Finalist in the Today’s Country 94.1’s Brand New Star Competition and in October, she was crowned the Souther Stars Rising Female Artist at the Mildura Independent Country Music Festival.
Kora’s second single, “I Don’t Wanna Grow Up”, is reminiscent of a young Kasey Chambers or Catherine Britt. The song is further proof that we are witnessing the emergence of one of the most exciting new talents on the Australian Country Music scene.