Entry is now open for the 35th Toyota Star Maker – Australia's longest running search for a new country music star. Star Maker has been a crucial launching pad for some of the nation's biggest country music stars including Kirsty Akers, James Blundell, Darren Coggan, Beccy Cole, Travis Collins, Gina Jeffreys, Lee Kernaghan, Samantha McClymont (The McClymonts), Keith Urban and Brendon Walmsley.
The 35th quest, to run in January 2014, is expected to be "as tough as ever" in the words of organisers and promoters Rural Press Events (RPE), publishers of Australia's Country Music Capital News, "following the outstanding commitment from recent winners Luke Austen, Luke Dickens, Bob Corbett and Kaylee Bell, who have all grabbed the prize and haven't stopped running."
"The Australian country music scene has many outstanding established artists and those who continue to breakthrough," said RPE General Manager Barry Harley. "It has long been the belief of the industry that the scene is crying out for a new super star.
"And that is what the Star Maker platform sets out to achieve.
"The quality of performers has been outstanding in the past few years, in line with interest in the event, and the competition has a responsibility to deliver a new winner who becomes an automatic ambassador for the Australian country music industry," Barry said.
"Star Maker is heading into its 35th year and continues to take country music to new heights by elevating a new artist who has the most potential to go all the way in the country music industry.
"This year's winner Kaylee Bell entered the competition on two previous occasions and on her third attempt turned up to win and take home the prize. She had packed up her life in New Zealand and moved to Australia to follow her dream. She became the first female Kiwi to win the competition and I think she could be a hot contender to be 'that' new big star we’re looking for.
"Keith Urban was New Zealand born although he lived in Queensland at the time of winning in 1990 and Craig Robertson (1989 winner) remains in NZ where he performs regularly.
"Toyota Star Maker continues to set the benchmark in showcasing Australian country music's best new talent," he said.
"To enter is easy," said Star Maker Co-ordinator Cheryl Byrnes. "However, the hard part starts as soon as an artist commits. Even as a finalist, their lives will change forever as they prepare to win and be cast into the spotlight. From then on there's nothing easy about it.
"Any one of the previous winners will soon tell a prospecting entrant that, whilst it's exciting at the time, if you want to make it in the industry, be prepared to go, go, go."
Star Maker is an annual search for an individual star aged 18 years or more who has the greatest potential to take advantage of the opportunities offered in the prize package which includes the recording of a full album with a leading producer, full use of a Toyota motor vehicle including fuel card for their winning year, guaranteed performances at major festivals throughout Australia, monthly media exposure in Country Music Capital News, a return flight to Nashville to attend the CMA Music Festival with a performance at the Global Artist Showcase – total prize value more than $100,000. For entry detail, contact Rural Press events on 02 6768 5800 or email cheryl.byrnes@fairfaxmedia.com.au.
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