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TOYOTA STAR MAKER
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| Toyota Star Maker is Australia's most successful and prestigious country music talent search |
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Luke releases his Star Maker album
Toyota Star Maker 2010 Luke Austen has officially released his prize album Light Of Day (Friday).
Luke, who was an early graduate from the Australian College of Country Music (1999) toured the outback with country music icon Brian Young for four years before becoming a mainstay of Troy Cassar-Daley's band from 2004 until now.
He's also had songs recorded by Troy and Adam Harvey.
Produced by Graham Thompson (Adam Brand, The Sunny Cowgirls) Light Of Day is described as a confident and compelling debut.
"It's very much a country album in its sound and its themes," says Luke's record label. "In the tradition of the best country artists, you feel that you are getting to know the artist as you listen to his music."
Nine of the 12 songs on the album were written by Luke and his various writing partners including Troy Cassar Daley, Adam Harvey and Vaughan Jones. The three "outside" songs came from the pens of Troy, Peter Denahy and Don Walker.
"The stories are broad in content and all thoroughly engaging... ranging from the joys of first time fatherhood on She's So You to touring with Brian Young on Cloncurry and choosing between a girl and a car on HQ454 Monroe."
One of the standout songs is Sacred Bones, the true story of Luke's father discovering aboriginal remains in a cave while hunting dingoes. The track features Troy Cassar-Daley on harmony vocals and mandolin.
Luke Austen has had a successful career as a sideman. And "he'll have an even longer one as an artist in his own right," according to his record label.
Weblink – www.lukeausten.com.
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Luke Austen 2010 Toyota Star Maker
Following in the footsteps of Keith Urban, Lee Kernaghan and Beccy Cole, Queenslander Luke Austen has been crowned winner of Australia’s oldest and most successful country music talent search, 2010 Toyota Star Maker.
Luke was the judges’ number one choice from a pool of 19 finalists and six grand finalists who each performed at the event in Tamworth on Sunday, 17 January.
Luke said that he is excited by the prospects that lie ahead.
“It’s an amazing feeling to be awarded a prize that has started the careers of some of the biggest names in country music. It’s a huge opportunity and I intend to make the most of it,” he said.
Based in Margate, Queensland, singer-songwriter and guitarist Austen has a wealth of experience in the country music industry. Since winning the perpetual musicianship award at Charters Towers Country Music Talent Quest in 1997, Luke has since added to his trophy cabinet and broadened his horizons, touring with some of Australia’s best known country stars.
In 2000 and 2004 he completed four tours of Australia with legendary bush balladeer Brian Young and in 2004, he became a fulltime member of Troy Cassar-Daley’s touring band. In 2009 Luke released a five-track EP, No Stranger to the Rain.
Luke faced stiff competition in the 2010 Toyota Star Maker Grand Final from fellow Queenslander Cory Hargreaves, along with Chelsea Basham (WA), Mandi Jarry (NSW) and Tori Darke (NSW).
All 19 finalists were joined at the event by 2009 Toyota Star Maker winner Liam Brew who, testament to his success garnered through his Toyota Star Maker win, has been nominated for a Golden Guitar for New Talent of the Year at the 2010 CMAA Country Music Awards of Australia.
General Manager Rural Press Events, Barry Harley, said that the quality of performers continues to grow in line with interest in the event.
“This year we are celebrating the 31st year of Star Maker. As the years go by we continue to enjoy a high standard of entrants which keeps taking country music to new heights. Toyota Star Maker is the number one benchmark in showcasing Australian country music’s best new talent,” he said.
“Last year’s winner, Liam Brew, has made fantastic use of this opportunity and I have no doubt that Luke Austen will do the same,” Mr Harley said.
Toyota’s Manager of Sponsorship and Promotions, Wayne Gabriel, said the finalists were of an extremely high standard and were all to be congratulated.
“The success of previous Star Maker winners has no doubt provided motivation for many of our finalists today. The title, as well as the prize package provides Luke with everything he needs to kick start his career in 2010,” Mr Gabriel said.
“The quality of the performances was excellent and all finalists have spent an incredible amount of time fine-tuning what they presented. The judges certainly had a tough job and I don’t envy them,” he said.
The 2010 Toyota Star Maker prize package is bigger and better than ever and includes:
Use of the title Toyota Star Maker 2010 winner;
A big budget recording session with one of Australia’s top producers;
An album recording contract with award-winning Compass Brothers Records;
Distribution and promotion of at least two tracks to radio and other media;
50 copies of the album for personal distribution;
A Maton acoustic guitar;
12 months use of a brand new fully serviced Toyota motor vehicle;
A fuel card for the 12 months after winning Toyota Star Maker;
Production of a professional video clip of one of the tracks by an award-winning director;
Media promotion including monthly exposure in Australia’s monthly country music magazine Country Music Capital News;
Photographic portfolio with Image Design Photography;
Guaranteed performance bookings at a designated list of events including the Tamworth Country Music Festival, Perth Muster, Mud Bulls & Music, National Music Muster at Gympie and Penrith’s Museum of Fire plus a special performance at the Toyota Star Maker Grand Final Spectacular in 2011; and
A touring opportunity with the popular Sunny Cowgirls in early 2010.
For more information on Toyota’s commitment to the Tamworth Country Music Festival and other events please visit: www.toyotacountryclub.com.au
- ENDS -
Audio files from the 2010 Toyota Star Maker Grand Final available for download from: www.countrymusicradio.com.au
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Toyota Star Maker 2010 announces Top 20 Finalists
The top 20 finalists in Australia’s most prestigious country music talent search – Toyota Star Maker – have been announced for 2010.
The 20 hopefuls invited to travel to Tamworth this January are...
Amanda Halloran, Bribie Island Qld
Armstrong Brown, Glenbrook NSW
Chad Shuttleworth, Eumundi Qld
Chelsea Basham, Wongan Hills WA
Cory Hargreaves, Brisbane Qld
Craig Morrison, Sydney NSW
Fiona Fields, Sydney NSW
Jesse Emmanuel, Boambee NSW
John Flanagan, Melbourne Vic
Leila Fisher, Orange NSW
Luke Austen, Grafton NSW
Mandi Jarry, Sydney NSW
Megan Cooper, Brisbane Qld
Mickey Pye, Oberon NSW
Neil Douglas, Brisbane Qld
Rebecca Moore, Melbourne Vic
Rick Caballo, Wollongong NSW
Tiffney Stroh, Mount Barker SA
Tori Darke, Wollongong NSW
Vanessa Lea, Coffs Harbour NSW
Toyota Star Maker 2010 – “brought to you by the All New Prado” – will be staged in the Tamworth Country Theatre at the Tamworth Regional Entertainment & Conference Centre (TRECC) on Sunday, January 17.
“The Top 20 will run through the day starting at 12.30pm,” said RPE General Manager Barry Harley. “The Grand Final Spectacular later that evening, at 7.30pm, features the six best new talents in Australian country music plus special appearances from past Star Maker winners.”
The Toyota Star Maker 2010 prize package is one of the Australian music industry’s biggest and most valued. It includes...
use of the title Toyota Star Maker 2010 winner
a big budget recording session with one of Australia’s top producers
album recording contract with award winning Compass Brothers Records
distribution and promotion of at least two tracks to radio and other media
50 copies of the album for personal distribution
a Maton acoustic guitar
12 months use of a brand new fully serviced Toyota motor vehicle
a fuel card for the 12 months after winning Toyota Star Maker
production of a professional video clip of one of the tracks by an award winning director
media promotion including monthly exposure in Australia’s monthly country music magazine Country Music Capital News
photographic portfolio with Image Design Photography
guaranteed performance bookings at a designated list of events organised by Laing Entertainment including the Tamworth Country Music Festival, Perth Muster, Mud Bulls & Music, National Music Muster at Gympie and Penrith’s Museum of Fire plus a special performance at the Toyota Star Maker Grand Final Spectacular in 2011
touring opportunity with the popular Sunny Cowgirls in early 2010
In addition to this, all Toyota Star Maker Finalists receive a 12 month membership of the Country Music Association of Australia (CMAA).
Tickets for the Toyota Star Maker Final and Grand Final Spectacular are on sale now through Tamworth Visitor Information Centre on 02 6767 5300 or on-line via www.tamworthcountrymusic.com.au (follow the links to tickets).
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Liam Brew – Toyota Star Maker 2009
Oh what a winner! Liam Brew declared Toyota Star Maker 2009
Following in the footsteps of Keith Urban, Lee Kernaghan and Beccy Cole, Palmview, Liam Brew from Palmview on the Queensland Sunshine Coast hinterland, has taken the crown as winner of the Toyota Star Maker 2009 competition, Australia’s oldest and most successful country music talent search.
He was the judge’s number one choice from a pool of 10 grand finalists who each performed at the event and said that he is excited by the prospects that lie ahead.
“It’s an amazing feeling to be awarded a prize that has started the careers of some of the biggest names in country music,” he said. “It’s a huge opportunity and I intend to make the most of it.”
A contemporary country rock artist, 18 year old Liam has already collected a number of accolades, most noteworthy, his win of the 2007 Maton Talent Search at the Toyota National Gympie Music Muster.
He is a graduate of both the Tamworth Camerata (2007) and the CMAA College of Country Music (2008).
All 10 finalists were joined at the event by Toyota Star Maker 2008 winner Talia Wittmann who is a finalist for two Golden Guitars in the 2009 CMAA Country Music Awards of Australia.
General Manager for Toyota Star Maker organisers Rural Press Events Barry Harley said that the quality of performers continues to grow, in line with interest in the event.
“This year we are celebrating the 30th year of Star Maker. As the years go by it is fascinating watching the ongoing high standard of entrants that continues to take country music to new heights. Toyota Star Maker is the number one benchmark in showcasing Australian country music’s best new talent,” he said.
“Last year’s winner, Talia Wittmann, has made fantastic use of this opportunity and I have no doubt that Liam will do the same,” Barry said
Toyota’s Manager of Promotions and Event Management, Wayne Gabriel, said the finalists were of an extremely high standard and were all to be congratulated.
“The success of previous Star Maker winners has no doubt provided motivation for many of our finalists today. The title, as well as the prize package provides Liam with everything he needs to kick start his career in 2009,” he said.
“The quality of the performances was excellent and all finalists have spent an incredible amount of time fine-tuning what they presented. The judges certainly had a tough job and I don’t envy them,” Wayne said.
The 2009 Toyota Star Maker prize package is bigger and better than ever and includes:
Use of the title Toyota Star Maker 2009;
A big-budget full album with Compass Brothers Records for a period of 12 months
Distribution and promotion of at least two tracks from the album to radio and other media;
50 copies of the album for personal distribution;
Production of a video clip for one track by an award-winning director;
Media promotion including monthly exposure in Country Music Capital News;
Guaranteed bookings at a designated list of events including country music festivals in Tamworth, Caboolture, Gympie and more;
12 month booking agency support from Artist Network;
A Maton acoustic guitar;
Photographic portfolio with Image Design Photography;
Invitations to a designated list of industry events;
A showcase performance at the Toyota Star Maker Grand Final in 2010;
A Toyota Star Maker winner’s jacket; and
Use of a fully serviced Toyota Rav4 CV Auto & petrol card for the 12 months following the award;
In addition, long term supporter of Toyota Star Maker and emerging country music talent, Maton Guitars, added to the prize pack with $500 presented to each of the 10 finalists at the start of the evening.
For more information on Toyota’s commitment to the Tamworth Country Music Festival and other events please visit: www.toyotacountryclub.com.au.
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| Toyota Star Maker Winners |
| Following is the complete list of Toyota Star Maker winners since the talent search commenced in 1979. |
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Toyota
Major sponsor of the Toyota Star Maker Quest
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