G'day!!

Check out the information below re: LOUISE EGAN chosen as one of the Top 20 new artists in Australian country music!

Keep pluggin' Louise's current single The "One More" Song and we'll look forward to catching up with you soon!

Top 20 Finalists selected for the 32^nd Toyota Star Maker

The top 20 finalists from across Australia have been selected to compete in the 32^nd Toyota Star Maker final, proudly supported by 60 years of Toyota LandCruiser.  

Following in the footsteps of Australian country music royalty including Keith Urban, Lee Kernaghan, Gina Jeffreys, James Blundell, Kylie Sackley and Samantha McClymont (of The McClymonts), the finalists will battle it out for what is recognised as Australia’s oldest and most prestigious music talent search, awarded at the Tamworth Country Music Festival to be held as the main event on the first weekend Sunday, 16 January 2011.

The 20 hopefuls invited to travel to Tamworth this January are...

AARON JURY, Kaitangata New Zealand

AMANDA HALLORAN, Bongaree QLD

ANGELA EASSON, Bridgewater SA

CAMERON CUSACK, Tura Beach NSW

CHRIS MATTHEWS, Kununurra WA

DAMIAN HOWARD, Thornbury VIC

DAVID AGIUS, Greystanes (Sydney) NSW
ELIZABETH PAPALIA, Greenbank QLD

EMMA KELLY, Blackburn South VIC
FIONA FIELDS, Glenmore Park NSW

HOLLY DENTON, Woodvale WA

JESS HOLLAND, Mungindi NSW
KAYLEE BELL, Avanhead New Zealand
LACHLAN BRYAN, South Melbourne Vic
LOUISE EGAN, Lavington NSW

LUKE DICKENS, Bondi Beach NSW

MITCHELL STEEL, Bendoble QLD

NATALIE BRANDT, St Clair NSW

PJ GORDON, Rankin Park NSW
ROSEMAREE DINARO, St Clair NSW

Toyota Star Maker 2011 proudly supported by 60 years of Toyota LandCruiser will be staged at the Tamworth Regional Entertainment & Conference Centre (TRECC) on Sunday, 16^th January.  

 “The Top 20 will run through the day starting at 12.30pm,” said organisers Rural Press Events General Manager Barry Harley. “The Grand Final later that evening, at 7.30pm, features the five best new talents in Australian country music plus special appearances from past Star Maker winners.”

The 2011 Toyota Star Maker prize package is bigger and better than ever.  Valued at over $150,000 the winner’s prize includes ...

1. Toyota Star Maker 2011;
2. An album recording contract;
3. A big budget recording session with Australia’s top musicians and producers;
4. 12 months use of a brand new, fully serviced Toyota motor vehicle;
5. A fuel card for the 12 months after winning Toyota Star Maker;
6. 50 copies of the prize album for personal distribution;
7. Distribution and promotion of at least two tracks to radio and other media;
8. Production of a professional video clip of one of the tracks by an award winning director;
9. A Maton acoustic guitar;
10. Fender products;
11. Media promotion including monthly exposure in Australia’s only monthly country music magazine Country Music Capital News, media exposure in the Directory of Australian Country Music;
12. Photographic portfolio with Image Design Photography;
13. An album launch at the National Music Muster at Gympie Queensland;
14. Guaranteed performance bookings at a designated list of events including the Tamworth Country Music Festival, National Music Muster at Gympie, the Urban CM Festival at Caboolture, Mud Bulls and Music, plus a special showcase performance at the Toyota Star Maker Grand Final in 2012;
15. Return air tickets to Nashville for the CMA Festival in June 2011 courtesy of Travelworld; and
16. 12 months membership to the Country Music Association of Australia.

Tickets for the Toyota Star Maker Final and Grand Final are on sale now through the Tamworth Visitor Information Centre on 02 6767 5300 or on-line via www.tamworthcountrymusic.com.au (follow the link to tickets).

STAR MAKER WINNERS | 1979 Grand Junction|1980 Tommy Miller|1981 Leanne Douglas|1982 Lee Kernaghan|1983 Vic Lanyon Band|1985 Great Divide|1986 Jane Maddick|1987 James Blundell|1988 Jenine Vaughan|1989 Craig Robertson|1990 Keith Urban|1991 Gina Jeffreys|1992 Warren Derwent|1993 Beccy Cole|1994 Clint Beattie|1995 Tanya Self|1996 Darren Coggan|1997 Lyn Bowtell|1998 Kate Ballantyne|1999 Brendon Walmsley|2000 Grant Richardson|2001 Kylie Sackley|2002 Kieran Lancini|2003 Todd Williams|2004 Travis Collins|2005 Samantha McClymont|2006 Cat Southern|2007 Kirsty Lee Akers|2008 Talia Wittmann|2009 Liam Brew | 2010 Luke Austen

For audio profiles of Toyota Star Maker Top 20 Finalists presented as 20 produced radio segments go directly to www.tamworthcountrymusic.com.au  please contact Rural Press Events, 02 6768 5800 or email cheryl.byrnes@ruralpress.com

For further media information or to interview 2010 Toyota Star Maker Luke Austen or any of the 2011 Toyota Star Maker finalists, please contact Anna Reynolds, Haystac on 03 8689 2243 or email a.reynolds@haystac.com.au

All the best for a wonderful Christmas.

Here's cheers to Tamworth in 2011 and a fantastic year ahead for Australian country music!!