Country music’s newest star, Jared Porter, is set to make his mark on the world stage after winning more than $15,000 in cash and prizes and a mentorship with one of the world’s biggest labels in the Unsigned Only Music Competition.

The Bachelor of Popular Music alumnus and fellow musician Kaylee Bell took out the 2015 Grand Prize for their acclaimed duet and co-written song “Pieces”.

The judging panel included well-known names in modern music including band members from The Killers, The Cure, alt-J, Run DMC and Kool and the Gang.

Jared’s song beat 7000 entries from 100 countries and was the first entry outside of North America — and the first country song – to win the overall prize.

Jared, who moved to Australia from the US when he was 15 years old, can’t wait to return to his homeland to be mentored by the top echelon of record company professionals.

“There are a couple of options and we have the opportunity to test the waters with a few labels.

“We have the opportunity to meet many professionals and see if the relationship works for both parties. I hope to continue my relationship with Big Machine Label group who manages artists like Taylor Swift. It doesn’t get much bigger than that.” he says.

Jared became a full time musician after winning Toyota Star Maker in January 2014. Since then, he has gone on to become aGolden Guitarfinalist for New Talent of the Year 2015, a finalist for CMC (Country Music Channel) New Oz Artist of the Year 2015, win the international“Fender Contender Challenge” and play the Country Summer Festival, Northern California’s biggest country music festival.

Jared says in the competitive music industry, winning a competition like Unsigned Only is invaluable — and he’s already seeing the benefits.

“It’s a tough competitive industry, you need publicity for people to see you as a valid option for a tour, a festival a side act, to sign to a record label. The money is kind of a small thing, it’s nice but the publicity is what will really help my career as an artist.”

Jared says studying at Griffith gave him the knowledge he needed to springboard his music career.

“I’ve been very fortunate in that I’ve won a few significant things that have progressed my career a lot quicker but the Bachelor of Popular Music is a phenomenal course. I couldn’t recommend it anymore. I decided I need to stay in Queensland because the BPM course was the best option I had. I would recommend it to anyone looking to be in the music industry.”

Listen to Jared Porter perform at Griffith University’s TEDx event here and his award winning duet “Pieces”here.