Promising, young local artist Travis Jones won the Ros Whitney Scholarship to join artists from across Australia and New Zealand at the Country Music Association Award (CMAA) Junior Course for country musicians from July 14-20 at Tamworth’s Liberty College. 

“I want to learn more voice control and music theory and it’s also good to meet new people from the music industry,” Travis said. 

The 14-year-old’s parents, Lisa and David Jones will also be joining their son at the course to learn more about how to support and manage their children as artists and how to navigate the music industry. 

The students aged between 10 and 18 will sharpen their song writing, performance, business, and media skills at the camp. 

Travis is taking part in the singer/songwriter/performance course. 

Academy Director Lyn Bowtell, General Manager Roger Corbett, and Assistant Director Ashleigh Dallas will be teaching the students. 

Meanwhile, the parent course is coordinated by Dobe Newton and led by Liam Kennedy-Clark, Anthony Snape, and Jayne Denham. 

“It’s extra special to nurture the students and their burgeoning careers when they are young. It’s also wonderful seeing them make lifelong friends during the week,” Ms Bowtell said. 

“These talented young artists truly find their tribe at the Junior Academy as they meet so many like-minded people of similar ages,” Mr Corbett said. 

Travis got the opportunity after his performance at Golden Gig at the 2024 Tamworth Country Music Festival.

Despite not coming in first, the Academy reached out to Travis via the Facebook page of his family band, Castlereagh Connection. 

Travis also performed at the Toyota Fanzone Stage at the Country Music Festival as part of the Aboriginal Cultural Showcase.

Travis has been singing since the age of four. 

At seven years old, he began to pick up guitar thanks to his father David and older brother, David Junior. 

Travis said he started teaching Braydon how to play the drums but says “he’s way out of my league now.”

Castlereagh Connection is made up of brothers Travis and David Junior, dad David Senior, and cousin Braydon Dodd. Mum Lisa Jones is the manager of the band. 

Travis is the lead singer and rhythm guitarist in the band. The songs include renditions performed in his ancestral tongue, Gamilaraay. 

The band released their debut EP ‘We Will Remember You’ in 2021. 

In 2022, Castlereagh Connection made it on The Voice Generations, and although none of the judges turned around the audience was in awe of the band. 

When asked where Travis plans to take his music career in the future Travis said that question is still open. 

“I’m not sure at the moment. I’m just enjoying it.”