18th December
Media Release
TORI DARKE CONTINUES TO SHINE and is one step closer to reaching her dream as she finishes off the year with an amazing double header! Gaining not only a place in the Grand Final of the Telstra Road To Tamworth Competition, but also gaining a top 20 finalist berth in 2010 Toyota Star Maker, to be held in Tamworth on Sunday 17th January, is an incredible achievement for this young Rising Star.
Tori secured a finalist place in the Songwriting Semi Final section of the Telstra Road to Tamworth Competition, which was held at one of Sydney’s biggest sporting events - the Sydney 500 V8 Supercars at Sydney Olympic Park at Homebush on Saturday 5th December.
Along with 17 other contestants, Tori attended a two Day ‘Boot Camp’, which is a music development workshop where contestants gained valuable experience and advice from leading music industry professionals, as well as the opportunity to rehearse with a full band prior to the Semi Finals.
The 10 finalists chosen, eight performers and two songwriters all received an Epiphone acoustic guitar, $1,000 cash and will progress through to the Telstra Road to Tamworth Finals held in Tamworth on 19th January 2010, where over 50,000 country music enthusiasts gather each year.
The winning performer and the winning songwriter (both of whom will be announced in Tamworth next month) will each receive a return trip to Nashville, the global home of country music and song writing. They will also receive recording and performance opportunities as part of a full 12-month career development program, designed to help create a professional career launch pad for aspiring singers and songwriters.
Tori is excited to also be selected as one of 20 finalists to compete in the 31st Toyota Star Maker final, brought to you by the All New Prado. She will now prepare to battle it out for what is widely recognized as Australia’s oldest and most prestigious music talent search, awarded in Tamworth.
With past winners of Star Maker including country music legends and Golden Guitar Award recipients Lee Kernaghan, James Blundell, Beccy Cole, Keith Urban and Gina Jeffreys the star-making potential of the program is unquestioned.
The Toyota Star Maker 2010 prize package 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.
Tori has made a significant impact on the country music industry in 2009 as a singer/songwriter - she was named as a Finalist in the Rising Star Female category at the 2009 Southern Stars - The Australian Independent Country Music Awards and more recently named as a Finalist in the Best New Talent category at The Victorian & National Country Music Awards 2010. The release of her debut single Crawl reaching #1 on the 98.9fm All Australian Country Music Chart, #11 on The Country Tracks Top 30, while her video clip reached #20 on the CMC Top 30 with her 2nd single and video clip You Better Run also making Top 30.
A 2009 CMAA College Graduate and 2009 Toyota Star Maker Grand Finalist, Tori certainly has a passion and a dream to fulfill.
For tickets to the 2010 Toyota Star Maker Finals and Grand Finals, visit www.tamworthcountrymusic.com.au or phone 02 67685800.
For tickets to the Telstra Road to Tamworth Grand Final visit Tourism Tamworth’s website www.visittamworth.com
For further details contact:
management@toridarke.com
0414 871944
Or
Diana Bailey Promotions
+61 2 9553 8490
dbailey10@bigpond.com