When country music is more popular worldwide than it’s ever been, in its 46th year, Toyota Star Maker is set to uncover the next generation of country entertainers in Australia’s biggest and most prestigious country music talent search.
Boasting an impressive suite of alumni, the annual Star Maker competition has provided emerging country artists a launchpad to boost their career for more than four decades. On Sunday, 18 January 2026, another emerging artist will be crowned the winner. This year, four male artists and six female artists, from Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland, will compete for the title.
The top 10 finalists for 2026 are:
(listed in alphabetical order)
- Bryce Sainty, 33, Springfield NSW
- Jarrad Wrigley, 23, Nundubbermere QLD
- Jaydin Shingleton, 26, Coomera QLD (formerly Westport NZ)
- Jess Crossman, 29, Walwa VIC
- Josie, 23, Douglas QLD
- Liam Maihi, 34, Sanctuary Point NSW
- Mackenzie Lee, 19, Abermain NSW
- Mackenzie May, 19, Tannum Sands QLD
- Ruby Jane, 23, Benalla VIC
- Sarah Catania, 25, Greensborough VIC
Toyota Star Maker Coordinator Cheryl Brown says this year’s top 10 stood out among a massive pool of entrants from right across the nation.
“We haven’t seen as strong a top 10 final as this one in some years and I can see there’s going to be some feisty discussions between the judges, on the finals night.
“Talent, experience, drive and commitment are key to what we’re looking for in a winner and all 10 finalists appear to have elements of these traits. The one who exhibits them all will no doubt deliver on the night.” She said.
Toyota Star Maker is the nation’s most respected country music competition. More than 500 artists have performed as finalists over the past 45 years. The Star Maker alumni includes Keith Urban, Lee Kernaghan, Kaylee Bell, Max Jackson and Wade Forster.
Cheryl says the extraordinary success of recent winners Kaylee Bell, Max Jackson and Wade Forster have raised the bar, and this year’s top 10 are determined to reach it.
“The commitment to their careers has been extraordinary,” said Cheryl.
Kaylee Bell was a determined winner, having won Star Maker after her third attempt and has since built an international career across her homeland of New Zealand, and in Australia, the US, the UK and will perform at the C2C Festival in Germany in 2026. Recently, at the Strummingbird Festival in Newcastle and Perth, she impressed US star Jelly Roll, who invited her on stage to perform a Keith Urban song after seeing her perform her original track, Keith. Kaylee continues to captivate audiences with her lyrics and dynamic performances.
In 2024 real-life cowboy Wade Forster became the 44th winner.
Since his win, Wade has built a strong fanbase in both Australia and the US, due to high demand and he’s selling out his own headline tours across both countries.
Meanwhile, 2022 winner Max Jackson hasn’t stopped since taking the crown and is currently the only Australian artist nominated for TikTok Australia’s Music Artist Of The Year award.
Cheryl says the pair were such a pleasure to work with.
“Max was appointed the Tamworth Country Music Festival ambassador for two years, and both she and Wade were featured in the 2025 Toyota Tamworth Country Music Festival campaign which helped to build an incredible sense of excitement for the event.” Cheryl added.
The top 10 will perform two songs each at the 2026 Toyota Star Maker Grand Final on the first weekend of the Toyota 54th Tamworth Country Music Festival, in Toyota Park.
The grand final concert will feature a performance by previous winner, the 45th Toyota Star Maker Felicity Kircher.
Felicity’s Star Maker EP, Fair Weather, will be launched on Tuesday, 20 January 2026 at Moonshiners Honky Tonk Bar from 3pm to 5pm. Produced by Brandon Dodd, it will feature
Felicity’s own material including Fair Weather, Irish Blessing, Midnight and Stuck on Trying.
Many long-term support sponsors will return in 2026 as well as recent sponsors, Wheelhouse Agency, Corral Boots and Queensland Music Trails.
Chris Watson Travel has been flying the winners to Nashville’s CMA Fest since 2010. Winners have been building the Star Maker brand there and appear on the CMA Spotlight Stage and the Sounds Australia as part of their prize.
Toyota Australia Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Sean Hanley, said Toyota is proud to be celebrating 31 years of supporting the Toyota Star Maker competition, a program that continues to champion emerging country music talent across Australia.
“Star Maker has become a launch pad for many successful careers, helping new artists find their voice and keeping Aussie country music thriving as its popularity grows among younger
audiences.”
We’re excited to see the top 10 finalists perform at the 2026 Toyota Tamworth Country Music Festival, and to contribute to a prize package that will help the winner take the next step in their music career. Congratulations to all finalists – your selection reflects your dedication and talent, and we look forward to your grand final performances.” Mr Hanley said.
The Toyota Star Maker Grand Final is one of the biggest events of the annual Toyota Tamworth Country Music Festival. It all begins at 7pm on Sunday 18 January 2026 at the city’s largest outdoor venue – Toyota Park.