The search will soon begin for Australia’s next Toyota Star Maker – with entries opening this Sunday, 1 June, for the nation’s longest running and most prestigious country music talent search.
Crowned in January, during the Toyota 54th Tamworth Country Music Festival, the 46th Toyota Star Maker will join an impressive suite of alumni including Keith Urban, Lee Kernaghan, James Blundell, Travis Collins, Gina Jeffreys, Beccy Cole, Lyn Bowtell, Kirsty Lee Akers, Samantha McClymont, Blake O’Connor, Kaylee Bell, Max Jackson and Wade Forster.
The competition attracts emerging country music artists from all over the nation.
Ten finalists are given a platform to take their career to the next level, with only one being crowned the final winner.
The winner takes home a prize package valued at over $100k, including a fully serviced Toyota motor vehicle with fuel card, a four-track EP, a return trip to Nashville courtesy of Chris Watson Travel, instruments from Maton and Fender and products from Jands.
Toyota Star Maker Manager, Cheryl Brown says the competition is a transformative opportunity.
“Star Maker is a launch pad, designed for individuals who’ve already begun their journey as a country music artist, and who are ready for a long and successful career in the music business. We’re looking for someone with clear direction and a plan—someone we can support and help elevate to the next level. If you’re ready to work hard and make your mark, we encourage you to enter.” Cheryl says.
Where are previous winners now?
In January 2025, Felicity Kircher became the 45th Toyota Star Maker and is currently on tour with Australian country icon Kasey Chambers, playing fiddle and singing backing vocals. Felicity’s unique alt country influence has come from 15 years of live performance and music experience. Her ability to cross genres and deliver jazz, pop, soul and r‘n’b music is a gift, but her heart lies in country.
Felicity is working on new music for her Star Maker EP and will perform on the CMA Spotlight Stage atCMA Fest in Nashville this June. In May, she performed at a unique event for Qld Music Trails and will perform at other festivals such as The Gympie Muster, Groundwater and Savannah In The Round, Deni Ute Muster, and Sunset Bash in Penrith NSW later this year.
Last year’s winner Wade Forster earned a top-five CMAA New Talent of the Year nomination at the Golden Guitar Awards in January and more recently became the Countrytown Breakthrough Artist of the Year.
This year he toured Australia and New Zealand with fellow cowboy – US superstar Cody Johnson – on his Leather Deluxe Tour. In September he’ll take on the USA, performing at The Valley Music Festival in Sun Valley, Idaho (Sept 4-6) with Shane Smith & The Saints and previous touring mates The Lowdown Drifters on the main stage, before he heads to the Born & Raised festival in Pryor, Oklahoma (Sept 10-13), joining Treaty Oak Revival, Jamey Johnson, Blackberry Smoke and 49 Winchester.
Other Star Maker alumni attracting attention include 1990 winner Keith Urban, who was inducted into the Roll of Renown in January and is set to tour Australia in August 2025; Kaylee Bell, who recently became the first female Australasian country artist to reach 100 million streams on Spotify; and Lee Kernaghan, who hit the road in May with his Boys From The Bush ‘The Concert’ tour with 30 dates across the country.
Other winners, such as Travis Collins, Brendon Walmsley, Lyn Bowtell, Loren Ryan, Kirsty Lee Akers and Rachael Fahim all have new singles out while Nashville-based, Kylie Sackley, alongside co-writers Timothy Cooper and Justin Morgan, won APRA’s Most Performed Country Work for Cooper Alan’s Take Forever (Hally’s Song).
Toyota Australia’s Chief Marketing Officer, Vin Naidoo, said Toyota is proud to continue its long-standing support of the Toyota Star Maker competition as it celebrates over 30 years of partnership.
“As Australia’s longest-running and most respected country music talent search, the Toyota Star Maker competition continues to uncover emerging artists and provide them with invaluable career opportunities.” said Mr Naidoo.
“This platform remains a crucial stepping stone for up-and-coming country music talent looking to make their mark in the industry, and I encourage all aspiring artists across the country to get involved.”
“With a significant prize package and unmatched exposure, the competition offers the winner an incredible opportunity to immerse themselves in the industry and kick-start their professional career.”
How to enter
Artists wishing to enter the 46th Toyota Star Maker should review the Conditions of Entry at starmaker.com.au.
Entries close 1 September 2025.
The top 10 finalists will be announced later this year and will perform at the Toyota Star Maker Grand Final in Toyota Park on Sunday, 18 January 2026 at the 54th Tamworth Country Music Festival.
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