TOYOTA CELEBRATES 30 YEARS OF SPONSORING THE 45TH TOYOTA STAR MAKER **ENTRIES OPEN NOW**

In January 2025, Toyota Australia will celebrate a 30-year milestone as the longest continuous sponsor of an Australian country music event, partnering with Star Maker, Australia’s longest running and most prestigious country music talent search which offers over a $100k prize pool.

Toyota’s contribution to the Australian country music industry goes beyond Star Maker having commenced their long sponsorship of the Country Music Awards in January 1994 until 2005, and returning in 2014 until today. Toyota has supported a number of festivals in various ways over the years including the Gympie Music Muster.

Toyota has had a number of country music ambassadors over the years including Lee Kernaghan, The McClymonts, various Star Maker winners, and more recently Tamworth City Toyota’s sponsorship of Zac & George, James Johnston and local artists Aleyce Simmonds and Ashleigh Dallas.

In addition to the ambassador sponsorships, Toyota’s investment over three decades has allowed country music artists to flourish through special events like the Toyota Busking Championships, Toyota FanZone – a free stage for visiting artists and Toyota Tailgate – a special event stage on the back of a Toyota for emerging artists’ performances.

Toyota Australia’s Chief Marketing Officer, Vin Naidoo, said Toyota is incredibly proud to be celebrating a milestone of 30 years supporting the 45th Toyota Star Maker competition.

“As the longest and most respected country music talent search, the Toyota Star Maker competition continues to unearth talented newcomers and provide them with enormous career opportunities following the commencement of the competition.”

“This is the stepping stone for up-and-coming country music talent looking to propel their career within the industry, so I encourage all emerging country music artists across the country to enter,” he said.

“The substantial prize package and competition experience will fully immerse the winner into the industry and provide a potential platform to launch their career.”

Australian country music artists interested in a professional career in the business are being encouraged to enter next year’s competition, with entries for the iconic Toyota Star Maker now open.

The highly regarded Toyota Star Maker is an opportunity for 10 aspiring country music artists to take their career to the next step, with only one being crowned the final winner.

Toyota Star Maker Manager, Cheryl Brown says the competition is a positive opportunity for all 10 artists to use as a springboard into the spotlight.

“Star Maker is a launch pad, designed for individuals who’ve already begun their journey as a country music artist and who are ready for a long and successful career in the music business.

“We believe that due to its reputation, Star Maker should be the last of the talent quests an artist should enter, so if you’re passionate, determined and ready to make your mark in this industry, then I encourage you to get your entry in.”

Keith Urban, Lee Kernaghan, James Blundell, Travis Collins, Gina Jeffreys, Beccy Cole, Kirsty Lee Akers, Samantha McClymont, Kaylee Bell, Blake O’Connor, Max Jackson and Wade Forster are some of the leading names who have used the platform as a launching pad.

In January 2024, Winton’s rodeo cowboy Wade Forster became the 44th Toyota Star Maker, and since his win, he has been performing at music festivals and events across the country, while also working on his Toyota Star Maker EP.

Wade said; “Star Maker has introduced me to the Australian fans and industry where I’ve had a year of firsts, including my first sold out show, first national tour support, first time played on national radio, first time heading to Nashville’s CMA Fest, first time performing and touring with my own band and my first music video for the song Off The Drugs.

“I’m just so grateful for the prize pool offered which includes the fully-serviced Toyota and fuel card to get me around the country, and to all the media and fan support. I’m not sure how Toyota feels but I’m aiming to beat whoever drove the most kilometres in their Star Maker year!”

In his short career, Wade has had over 20 million streams worldwide and this number is growing daily.

Artists wishing to enter must submit two original tracks, plus a list of their achievements and describe why they are ready to be the next winner. The top ten finalists will be announced later this year and will be invited to perform at the 2025 Toyota Star Maker Grand Final in Toyota Park on Sunday, 21 January, 2025 at the 53rd Tamworth Country Music Festival.

Star Maker winners continue to sit high on the charts and headline festivals throughout the country. A number of the more recent winners will be flying the Star Maker flag at the 52nd CMA Fest in Nashville this June including Kaylee Bell, Wade Forster, Max Jackson, and Blake O’Connor who relocated to Nashville last year.

Head to starmaker.com.au/enternow/ to enter. Entries close Friday, 6 September 2024.