It was a nail-biting decider which came down to Livy and just one other contestant to make the final cut.

But Livy has no hard feelings and believes his Idol experience has let old fans know he’s still belting out his tunes.

He says it’s also broadened the appeal of the country music genre.

“My aim was to make the Australian public realise that country music is cool — I think I succeeded,” he said.

The devoted dad has been performing since he was 12 and has toured nationally several times with coveted country stars including Nash Chambers and Brian Young.

Livy also has no regrets about breaking a promise to his oldest son Dalan — not to cry on national television.

The performer let the tears flow as fellow idol contestant Jonathan Winkler was knocked out of the competition.

“It wouldn’t have mattered what happened that day,” he said.

“If someone told me Sesame Street had been cancelled I would have cried,” he said.

Livy said his Idol experience had reignited his desire to continue performing.

“It’s not about winning it’s about learning from the journey,” he said.

“Idol has given me an insight into the world of television and I got to meet some really wonderful people and made some good industry contacts.”

After impressing judges at the Albury auditions earlier this year the country music singer-songwriter spent six days in Sydney as part of the top 130.

Even notoriously harsh judge Kyle Sandilands was touched by Livy’s soft nature.

“I gave Kyle an Akubra hat and he wore it every time I performed,” Livy said.

Albury singer-guitarist Lisa Mitchell, 16, is the only Border resident into the top 24.

The Scots School student is a regular on the Border live music scene and performed at the Australian Idol concert in QEII Square in April.

However, the Albury auditions have produced three members of the top 24.

Joining with Lisa Mitchell are Wagga teenager Brendon Boney and Bendigo auctioneer, Paul Vercoe.

Boney once had an ambition to be a professional soccer player.