SHE may not know it yet but country singer Caitlyn Shadbolt has become a Gympie region ambassador after a breakthrough performance on X Factor Wednesday night.

Caitlyn wowed judges during her Melbourne audition to make it through to boot camp.

And while her performance of Rascal Flats' Life is a Highway raised a few eyebrows on song selection, Caitlyn's talent and "potential" produced plenty of praise.

The Gympie singer beamed with news she was going to boot camp and "an embarrassing" super hug from proud mum Helen had audiences nation-wide sharing the joy.

The singer also took the moment under the spotlight to speak favourably of her home town and the upcoming Gympie Music Muster.

There was no reference to coming from the Sunshine Coast hinterland.

Instead, Caitlyn sang the Gold City's praises and won even more hearts and minds back home.

Destination Gympie Region tourism development manager Andrew Saunders almost fell off the couch discovering not only Caitlyn had blitzed her audition, but had also thrust Gympie into living rooms across the nation.

"It was brilliant the way she spoke about Gympie and presented herself," Mr Saunders said.

He said the exposure from a tourism perspective was "immeasurable".

Joining the positive feedback yesterday was chair of Gympie Cooloola Tourism, Jan Watt.

Ms Watt said Caitlyn "needed" to be a tourism ambassador for the Gympie region.

"She was bubbly and an absolute standout," Ms Watt said.

"What Caitlyn achieved in five minutes for the region, money can't buy."

The singer's love of all things country music led to praise for the Gympie Music Muster.

Muster general and program manager Geoff Chandler caught up with the footage on his iPad yesterday.

"She's a great ambassador and I really appreciated her comments about the Muster," he said.

The wave of support for the singer played out on The Gympie Times' Facebook page and website yesterday, with more than 800 likes praising the Gympie teenager's achievement.

FACEBOOK COMMENT

Glad Caitlyn showed her pride in growing up and living in Gympie and she is a lovely singer. Well done Caitlyn.

- Cherryl Jane Kirk

It was a good story. Great to see a proud Gympie country girl, not whinging about nothing to do.

- Colin Sallaway

She did Gympie proud and awesome performance now on her way to Bootcamp. Cheers Brendan and Glenda.

- Brendan Deshon

Loved it! Good to see someone from good old Gympie out there doing big! Good luck hun xo

- Bonnie Anne Lee

Congrats Caitlyn. Keep following your dream and we are all so proud of you. Gympie has so much talent . Thanks to all involved with The Country Music Institute and Apex for helping provide pathways for our talented musical youth.

- Bernadette O'Neill

Not a fan of country or screamo for that matter but hey, I hope she does as well as Amity Affliction has done. Maybe next year's star at the Muster?

- Mick Hodge