Bundaberg’s own Keely Ellen has made an impact on Australian Idol, with her mesmerising audition bringing judge Kyle Sandilands to tears.
Airing overnight, Ellen performed an acoustic rendition of the 1972 single Always On My Mind. Though originally recorded by Gwen McCrae, the track has been covered countless times over the years, including by artists such as Elvis Presley, the Pet Shop Boys, and Willie Nelson, who won a Grammy for his version in 1982.
Armed with her acoustic guitar, and dressed in denim with her cowboy hat, the 18-year-old musician’s audition was heartfelt and powerful, with judges Amy Shark and Marcia Hines clearly being moved by the song. “Oh, she has an amazing voice,” host Rickie-Lee Coulter tells Ellen’s family outside the audition room.
Despite her audition appearing confident and self-assured, Ellen told TV Week she was far from it during the recording.
“I was really nervous,” she explained. “It’s such a big opportunity and knowing that it is going to be on TV was really daunting.”
The most memorable moment of the audition undoubtedly comes at the end, when judge Kyle Sandilands – who isn’t usually known for letting emotions shine through – is seen teary-eyed as a result of the song’s impact.
“Beautiful," an emotional Sandilands tells Ellen. "Sorry, Keely, just before you came in I got a video from my brother who's at Graceland – Elvis' house – and he's just scattering my dad's ashes there. So that was difficult for me.”
As Ellen apologises, Sandilands make it clear that it was a performance that will stay with him. “Don't be, I really loved it,” he says, prompting support from Hines. “You were fantastic, by the way,” he adds.
Ellen’s audition is just the latest entry in an already-impressive 12 months for the singer. Releasing debut single Red Head in February 2024, Ellen returned in June with Cowboys Can’t Outrun, and in September, she was the Junior Winner at the Gympie Music Muster Talent Search.
Countrytown brings you Australia’s best country music news, interviews, charts and more every week! This post was authored by Countrytown and originally published on the Countrytown website. It has been re-published with permission.
