A new generation of country stars will compete in Australia’s biggest country music talent search in January, in the Toyota 45th Star Maker.
For more than four decades, the Star Maker competition has provided emerging country artists a launchpad to boost their career. On 19 January, 2025, another artist will join the impressive line of Star Maker alumni. This year, there is strong representation from Australia’s east coast, with four finalists hailing from Queensland and six from New South Wales.
The top 10 finalists for 2025 are:
- Briana Dinsdale, 21, Longholme Qld
- Bryce Sainty, 32, Springfield NSW**
- Cait Jamieson, 18, Toowong Qld
- Ella Powell, 20, Terrigal NSW
- Felicity Dowd, 20, Bega NSW**
- Felicity Kircher, 20, Tingalpa Qld
- Finnian Johnson, 22, Cessnock NSW**
- James Keith, 40, Warriewood NSW
- Kaitlyn Thomas, 24, Rifle Range Qld
- Teak, 39, Tatham NSW
(**Three top 10 finalists are returning for a second year)
Toyota Star Maker Coordinator Cheryl Brown says this year’s top 10 will bring a variety of country styles to the stage.
“Last year seemed to be a return of the cowboy and Wade Forster stood apart with his authenticity of someone who lives the life of a rodeo cowboy and country music singer-songwriter.
“Often there are one or two clear front runners, but I think all 10 are definitely in the running and we are always anxious as we anticipate the result.” Cheryl said.
Toyota Star Maker is the nation’s most respected country music competition. More than 500 artists have performed as finalists over the past 44 years. The Star Maker alumni includes Keith Urban, Lee Kernaghan, Beccy Cole and James Blundell along with the latest stars, including Kaylee Bell, Brad Cox, Blake O’Connor and Max Jackson.
The top 10 will perform two songs each at the 2025 Toyota Star Maker Grand Final on the first Sunday of the Toyota 53rd Tamworth Country Music Festival, in Toyota Park. The grand final concert will feature a performance by previous winner, the 44th Toyota Star Maker Wade Forster, whose year has been nothing short of phenomenal.
Wade says Star Maker has given him the opportunity to showcase his talent not only in Australia, but to the world as well. Sponsor Chris Watson Travel flew Wade to Nashville’s CMA Fest where he performed on the CMA Spotlight Stage and the Sounds Australia stage, which is opportunity available for the new winner.
“Performing on some of Australia’s biggest stages and meeting with some of Australia’s biggest names in the industry have been key in making sure this hobby is now a full-time job for me.” Wade says.
Wade has also received his first Golden Guitar nomination for the Toyota 53rd Golden Guitar Awards.
“I can’t believe this, what a year I’ve had and it’s all happened because I took a chance and entered Star Maker.
“The support from Toyota means so much to me. I can’t thank them enough for the wheels and fuel this year to get me around the country.
“When I look back over this year, I can honestly say I wouldn’t change a thing.” Wade says.
Wade’s Star Maker EP will be launched at his late-night headline show at The Longyard Hotel, on Friday 24 January at 10:30pm. The EP will feature his own material released this year, including Off The Drugs, Chemistry, Honky Tonky Bulldoggin’ Man and a new collaboration to be released in January 2025.
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 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. This year, The Wiggles will enter the country sphere complete with their specially prepared Toyota Big Red Ute.
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 performance stage for visiting artists, free to the public and the Toyota Stars Under The Stars on main stage at Toyota Park every night across the 10-day festival.
Toyota Australia Chief Marketing Officer, Vin Naidoo said Toyota is proud to be celebrating 30 years supporting the Star Maker competition, which has provided unparalleled opportunities for emerging artists for many years to showcase their talent on a national stage.
“We are proud to support all the talented musicians aiming to make a mark in the country music scene through the Toyota Star Maker Competition and it is always a delight to see the great talent that emerges from it,” he said.
“We look forward to watching the top 10 finalists perform on stage in January, and are thrilled to be able to contribute to the prize pack the winner will receive that will no doubt help propel their career within the country music industry.
“Congratulations to all the country music artists selected as finalists in the 2025 Star Maker competition, we look forward to your performances at the grand final concert,” Mr Naidoo said.
Many long-term support sponsors are also returning, along with new ones including Wheelhouse Agency, Corral Boots and in 2025, Queensland Music Trails will be added to the winner’s tour dates.
The Toyota Star Maker Grand Final is one of the biggest events of the annual Tamworth Country Music Festival. It all begins at 7pm on Sunday 19 January 2025 at the city’s largest outdoor venue – Toyota Park.