For many Aussies, taking to the water with rugby league legend turned fishing aficionado Andrew Ettingshausen would be a surreal experience.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Look no further than rising singer and local Madelene Ward, known professionally as Madelyn, who guest starred on Andrew's Network Ten program 'Escape With ET' earlier this month.
Madelene has maintained a long association with the program, with her music used in segments in the last few years.
"We both thought that considering he has used my original music, we should put a face to it and do an episode together, which was a bunch of fun to film," she said.
"Obviously, for indie (independent) artists all exposure is great exposure, and to have it so frequent on the show is a wonderful opportunity."
She took part in her first fishing and bait digging exercise with the television personality in the Harrington/ Crowdy Head area.
"Crowdy Head is my local, so having Andrew film there with the crew was very special," she said.
Madelene confessed her fishing experience is quite minimal.
Obviously, for indie artists all exposure is great exposure, and to have it so frequent on the show is a wonderful opportunity.
- Madelene Ward (Madelyn), singer
"My grandfather was a fishermen, but (I) don’t think the talent passed through to my generation somehow," she said.
"Although, the show made me look like a true professional which is all that matters, right?"
The segment kicked off with the duo pumping yabbies on the sandflats before an informal chat about her latest music.
"Well Madelyn you sure can sing, but can you pump yabbies," queried the host.
And she certainly did, before jumping into a two person kayak in search of whiting.
Andrew firstly snagged a bream before Madelene claimed a sought after whiting and a ludrick.
Her music provided an adequate background track to the segment.
In the words of Andrew, it was "a virtuoso solo performance."
With hundreds of live shows under her belt, Madelene is truly a star on the rise.
The country-folk artist wrote, record and produced an eight track album 'Wholehearted' in Nashville, Tennessee in the United States.
"Together with my musical partner/manager Ian Sandercoe, we have completed 520 live shows in two years here, there and everywhere in Australia as well as writing, recording and producing the record.
"Upon receiving a great opportunity to work with a producer in Nashville, Tennessee, who had worked alongside singer/songwriter Jewel, my team and I got to produce an eight track record which featured incredibly talented live musicians and a few other sound engineers from Los Angeles.
"As a little girl, I always said to myself: ‘How cool would it be to have your own album’ and now it's ticked off the bucket list, created in the musical city of America, Nashville.
"(It) still kind of blows me away," Madelene said.
Despite all the travel, she is still proud to call the coast home.
"I’ve been super lucky to grow up in this beautiful area of the Mid North Coast and attend St Clare's High School, growing up on a little farm with my family, with my parents taking me to countless music lessons whether it be piano, guitar or vocal training," Madelene said.
"They are the reason I am where I am today and I am so grateful for the both of them."
She's got a big year in store.
"2019 is when the album will be released, one single at a time, with film clips for some of them as well.
"2019 holds lots of creativity in writing for the next record, touring and letting go of this album that has been only heard by my team for so long.
"Just super grateful to live the way I do," Madelene said.
While you're with us…
Did you know the Manning River Times is now offering breaking news alerts and a weekly email newsletter? Keep up-to-date with all the local news: SIGN UP HERE.