Amy Ryan a country star in the making

Amy Ryan, 10, was runner-up in the Tamworth Songwriters Association busking competition, and a finalist in the Aristocrat and Mt Franklin competitions.

She was invited on stage to play with Australian bluegrass singer Kristy Cox at the Capitol Theatre.

Kristy is not the first star Amy has performed with. She has also shared the stage with Catherine Britt, the Davidson Brothers, Weeping Willows and Montgomery Church.

The Emmaus College student will soon perform at the Dolly Parton Festival at Narromine before jetting off to Nashville for two scholarship events.

Then it's on to North Carolina for the Merlefest, the Kruger Brothers Music Academy and the Tunefox Music Camp.

Amy will also visit Dollywood, the Hall of Fame and the Grand Ole Opry.

She strives to follow in the footsteps of Dolly, her country music hero.

"My favourite artist is Dolly Parton," she said.

"I would love to be like Dolly."

Amy said she became involved in the genre after visiting the Australian Bluegrass Conference in Maleny in 2018.

"Then, on my visit to Tamworth in January 2019, I met some other young members of Redlands Modern Country Music Club," she said.

"I joined once we returned to Brisbane."

Along with Dolly, Amy also counts Elvis Presley, Alan Jackson, Hank Williams, Kasey Chambers and Slim Dusty among her favourite artists.

She enjoys playing with other artists and soaking up their knowledge.

"I love to play with other musicians," she said.

"I learn so much from them. I can't wait to meet new people in the USA and play with them.

"The skill level will be so high."

Amy said she was using school to keep her feet on the ground.

"I intend to continue with my schooling through to grade 12 at the moment," she said.

"I play music for fun, so if I am lucky enough to make money that's good.

"I have a long time left at school before I need to make any serious decisions."

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