Talia leads Star Maker's 2009 success

Talia Wittmann capped off a big January for Toyota Star Maker – Australia’s leading country music talent search – when she won the Golden Guitar for New Talent of the Year at the 2009 Country Music Awards of Australia.

Talia’s success in the 12 months since she won the Star Maker crown has been huge, according to Star Maker organisers, her record label Compass Bros and Star Maker sponsor Toyota.

Toyota Sponsorship & Promotions Manager Wayne Gabriel said he was delighted Talia had maximised her opportunities as Toyota Star Maker 2008, and thrilled that her talent and hard work had been rewarded with a Golden Guitar as she takes her career to the next level.

“I have been following Talia as she has immersed herself in developing her music over the last 12 months since winning Toyota Star Maker 2008. It is fantastic to see her making the most of the opportunity given to her, and her dedication and talent rewarded with an accolade of this level,” he said.

“Toyota Star Maker is and always has been a launch pad for country music stars. I am delighted that once again we see our own up and coming artists recognised at the highest level, and wish Talia all the best as she moves forward with her career,” he continued.

Talia won the New Talent Golden Guitar with the title track to her Star Maker prize album Reckless Side Of Me. Her album has been gaining wide acclaim since its release last year, including the latest single – Ladylike – which is currently at number five and rising on the Country Tracks Top 30 national singles chart.

Talia’s was not the only Star Maker success at this year’s Awards.

Star Maker 1996 Darren Coggan won his second Golden Guitar for Too Dark For The Light Horse, co-written with Ken McBeath.

And Samantha McClymont featured in her fourth Golden Guitar win - one of her own for New Talent of the Year and three with her sisters Brooke and Mollie as The McClymonts.

“It was also special that Star Maker 2007 Kirsty Lee Akers and 2004 Travis Collins announced the winner and presented the New Talent award to Talia,” said a spokesman for quest organisers Rural Press Events.

Toyota Star Maker celebrated 30 years of launching country stars in Australia in January with a spectacular concert in the Toyota Country Theatre during the Tamworth Country Music Festival.

And yet another new star was born when Liam Brew was announced winner of Toyota Star Maker 2009.

“His star is about to shine!”