TWO 'talented and hardworking' teenaged solo performers and a travelling British duo took out the top awards at the Cooma regional heat of the Australian Busking Championships at the weekend.

Arthur Hull, 19, from Barnawartha in Victoria managed to create an entire band sound with polished vocals, a keyboard, electronics mastery and choreography to be unanimously selected the winner of the $1000 Alpine Hotel Open division.

Hot on his heels was solo Jindabyne local performer Gabi Forman taking the $500 Roses Restaurant second place after impressing the judges with her guitar, mandolin and vocal covers and original songs.

British duo, Katy and Rob on guitar, vocals and harmonica, went away to complete their found Australia travels with the $300 Mainstreet Clothing in third place prize.

Judges Alex Eldred, Sue Sell and Caroline Fox said they had a tough time separating not only the three open division winners, but also faced the same challenge in the secondary division with big numbers and huge talent.

ANBC President Allan Spencer said the quality of musicianship on display among the 50 or so performers was 'amazing'.

“I really think people enjoyed the day. We couldn’t have fit in any more buskers if we tried,” he said.

“All the spots were filled, half was a record number of locals and half the people were from away, Victoria, the ACT and Sydney.

Mr Spencer said he was pleased with the event, which attracted hundreds of people who came to enjoy the free music, markets, drumming, yoga and ukulele workshops and the Cooma CBD.

“We had a wide variety of instruments, both solo, duo, trios and bands and welcomed some new performers to the ANBC.

“Our winner Arthur Hull was visiting Cooma for the first time but has performed at the Rutherglen heat last year and was very polished and gig ready.

“Our local second placegetter, Gabi Forman, told me she was very unsure about being in the Open category because she is 18 but still at school but she really impressed the judges with her originals, her enthusiasm and her mandolin which she has only been playing for a month or so. She has been around for a while and gets better every time we see her.

“Our third placegetters, who are travelling around Australia from English, were very impressive.”

The $500 Snowy Monaro Regional Council Secondary division cup was won by Laylah Baines from Lavington, Victoria, with long-time Jindabyne local performer Tulli Oayda taking the $400 Snowy Monaro Regional Council second prize and regulars Will and Annie from Canberra the $300 Snowy Monaro Regional Council third prize.

Ms Oayda also won the Rogue Ascent Recording Studio Award and will have a choice of either a multi-track recording session for one song or a five-song live studio recording EP.

“The judges said Laylah had a beautiful voice, she told a story with her music making, with lovely phrasing,” Mr Spencer said.

“She took the audience on a journey with her songs. She also she writes original material which is fantastic, and the judges were impressed with her diction and nice backup guitar.”

“Tully has been in just about every ANBC; she is a very creative young lady, writing a lot of original materials. She is very passionate.

“Brother and sister Will and Annie in third, well, they have been coming to these things since they were 10 and 12 and have performed at the Cooma and Bradden heats. They are an amazing talent, with voices that blend so beautifully.”

Berridale guitarist Paul Shorten won the $300 High Country Automotive Group Junior division with Jindabyne locals The K Brothers (Filip and Justin Klempfner) taking the $200 The Monaro Post second prize and Ollie Richards the $150 ANBC third prize.

“Paul Shorten was competing for the first time after have a small try last year, and got first place, which was awesome,” Mr Spencer said.

“He is a very dedicated young man on the guitar. The K Brothers are absolutely wonderful and young Ollie Richards came up from the coast playing the guitar All are performing way above their years.”

Senior winner Mr Hull also won the $500 Hip Pocket Workwear Peoples Choice award, with The K Brothers taking the $400 ANBC second place and Marley Jacobsen the $300 Tourist Café third place.

Highly commended awards in the open division went to John Curran from Melbourne, Chris Wright, Nathan Gorrings, Peter Kaye, Jules Winter, RoCU (ukulele group from Canberra), Ron Gaylene and Gus, Wren and Crow and The Prospects.

Recipients of highly commended awards in the secondary division went to Marley Jacobsen, Tilly Rose, Elijah Chan and Emily Willsmer and Paisley Coulson.

Jo Spaile and Lean Irwin won the Michael Cook Award for a busker with a disability.