Not only did Gracie Young celebrate her 13th birthday on Saturday, she also wowed the judges at the Gold Guitar Awards, winning the overall award in the junior category.
Her rendition of Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah beat out the other competitors in the junior final, which included her younger sister, Emily Jane (11).
She also won the junior gospel award and the Tamworth Encouragement trophy.
Watching in the crowd were her excited parents, Richard and Donna.
``It was a lovely surprise for everyone. You could see Gracie's surprised reaction when they showed her on the big screen - her eyes were wide open,'' Mrs Young said.
Gracie, who has been singing for about three years, admitted having a few butterflies on stage in front of the large crowd of country music fans.
``It was a bit scary,'' she said.
For her win the Tahuna Intermediate pupil was given a new guitar, which she will use during her first guitar lesson on Friday.
