ORGANISERS ARE PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT THE ANNUAL TOYOTA STAR MAKER COMPETITION IS BACK AND WILL BE HELD AS PART OF THE 50TH TAMWORTH COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL IN JANUARY 2022.
The competition is urging emerging artists who are ready for a professional career in the Australian country music scene to enter now.
Toyota Star Maker is the nation’s most loved and respected country music competition and has been making an impact on the landscape for 42 years.
It provides a launching pad for 10 finalists, with one being the ultimate winner.
Star Maker coordinator Cheryl Brown said; “We’re looking forward to a bright new year with all the good things that come to the winner.
“We look for a winner who is open to the experience and will work together with our team to create a long and successful career in the music industry.”
Toyota Australia Chief Marketing Officer John Pappas said Toyota was proud to continue to support Toyota Star Maker and give up-and-coming country music artists the wonderful career opportunities provided by the prize package.
“After the competition being cancelled last year due to COVID-19, it is great to be able to bring both country music fans and talented newcomers to the scene together, and support our rural heartland through Toyota Star Maker.
“For the past 42 years, Toyota Star Maker has been a highlight on the country music calendar and we can’t wait to celebrate with the 2022 winner at the Toyota Country Music Festival’s 50th anniversary in Tamworth next January,” he said.
Entrants are required to send in two tracks of their choice, provide their biography and career achievements to date, as well as provide any additional information that might help them over the line to become a finalist.
This year, to give more entrants an opportunity to sell themselves, 20 semi-finalists will be interviewed individually and privately via zoom, followed by a public announcement to introduce the final 10.
Despite Star Maker not going ahead in January 2021, due to the pandemic, the positive element that came out of it was that the current winner Sammy White had her year extended as the 2020 winner, giving her the opportunity to have continued use of the Toyota vehicle to tour and share her music, as well as access to Star Maker support. Sammy released three singles in 2020 Lay It On Me, Home (Feels Like You) and her Star Maker album Undone.
All winners have different experiences and Sammy’s was indeed that. She continues to work really hard, through the unusual circumstances, to carve a solid foundation for a successful future.
We are excited to invite interested artists to take the leap and enter the 2022 Toyota Star Maker to start their dream year.
Winner’s Quotes:
Blake O’Connor said; “I tried not to treat Star Maker like a competition, but I saw it as all part of the process of building a career in country music.”
Kaylee Bell said; “Winning Star Maker was basically an introduction for me into the Australian country music industry and the door opener that allowed me to play the festivals, tour with the artists I admired like The McClymonts and Morgan Evans, perform with superstar Keith Urban, release an album and solidified me in country music history in Australia.”