AUSTRALIA’S SEARCH FOR THE NEXT COUNTRY MUSIC STAR – TOYOTA STAR MAKER – ANNOUNCES 2020 TOP TEN
From hundreds of country music hopefuls, ten up and coming performers from across the country have been selected to progress to the 2020 Toyota Star Maker Grand Final.
The top ten, which includes an unprecedented number of women, also includes four previous finalists and are, in no particular order:
|
1 |
Chloe Styler* |
Age 22 |
Runaway Bay |
Qld |
|
2 |
Clancy Pye |
Age 27 |
Orange |
NSW |
|
3 |
El Cosgrove |
Age 25 |
Dalby |
Qld |
|
4 |
Hannah May |
Age 25 |
Mount Cotton |
Qld |
|
5 |
Jarred Taylor |
Age 27 |
Tamworth |
NSW |
|
6 |
Juliet Oliver* |
Age 21 |
McLaren Vale |
SA |
|
7 |
Leigha Moore* |
Age 27 |
Sippy Downs |
Qld |
|
8 |
Sammy White |
Age 22 |
Mount Louisa |
Qld |
|
9 |
Taylor Pfeiffer* |
Age 20 |
Nailsworth |
SA |
|
10 |
Zoey Mills |
Age 20 |
Mirani |
Qld |
Toyota Star Maker Coordinator Cheryl Brown said, “The females in this year’s competition were simply stronger, resulting in this unprecedented outcome, at a time when male artists dominate the country music industry, it is refreshing to see so many young women entering the ranks.”
“This year, the competition will be as tough as ever with former winners setting strong examples of what is possible when committed to a career in the country music industry.”
2019 winner Blake O’Connor, who earlier this week received two nominations in the Toyota Golden Guitar Awards for Qantas New Talent of the Year and Male Artist of the Year – agrees, saying “the possibilities are endless when you enter Toyota Star Maker.”
“Star Maker has opened doors and given me opportunities to show more people than ever my songs. It has put me on a greater platform to build a fan base for my career and I have made friendships and met people that I wouldn’t have been exposed to if it wasn’t for Star Maker.
“This year has been a massive step forward for my career and it’s one I’m very grateful for.”
O’Connor has taken advantage of every moment of his reign, performing at festivals, touring with Adam Eckersley & Brooke McClymont, and currently touring with The McClymonts.
Another perfect example of a Toyota Star Maker, making an impact in the industry is 2018 winner Brad Cox. Brad has signed with Mirror Music Group management (Gang Of Youths and Middle Kids) as well as signed an exclusive worldwide recording deal in August, with Sony Music Entertainment Australia, just 18 months after winning Star Maker.
As Cheryl explained: “Australia’s Toyota Star Maker platform sets out to find a new country music star each year.
“It has been a crucial launching pad for some of Australia’s biggest country music stars including Lee Kernaghan, James Blundell, Beccy Cole the reigning CMAA Female Artist of the Year, Travis Collins the reigning CMAA Male Artist of the Year, Samantha McClymont, and the biggest of them all Keith Urban.”
The Star Maker Grand Final provides a chance for finalists to perform two of their songs live on the biggest stage in Tamworth in front of thousands of country music fans and an illustrious panel of judges which includes:
- Daniel Biddle, Chairman, Country Music Association of Australia;
- Roxanne Brown, Manager, Troy Cassar-Daley;
- Justin Thomson, National Content Director, KIX Country Radio;
- Scott Lamond, Saturday Night Country, ABC Radio;
- Greg Shaw, Label owner and artist manager;
- Chris Bodey, Artist Liaison, Deni Ute Muster;
- Craig Power, The Pub Group, Tamworth;
- Susan Jarvis, Journalist;
- Barry Harley, Manager Country Music, Tamworth Regional Council.
The judges have the difficult job of ensuring that the 2020 Toyota Star Maker delivers a new winner who is not only the ‘next big thing’ but who is also up to the challenge of becoming an ambassador for the Australian country music industry.
Toyota Chief Marketing Officer Wayne Gabriel said: “Each year, we are impressed by the raw talent showcased and celebrated during Toyota Star Maker, and we look forward to crowning the next star in Australian country music in 2020.”
The Star Maker Grand Final is one of the biggest events of the annual Toyota Country Music Festival and is on Sunday, 19 January 2020, at Toyota Park Tamworth.
