The 23-year-old had already been planning to record the album this year, but since January he has wasted no time in getting his music out to the public.

A previously released single, Too Drunk To Drive, was re-released on iTunes during the Tamworth festival, and Cox released the first single from the album, Lake House, in March, just two months after his Star Maker win.

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It has been three years since he started working on the album as an independent release, and he described it as work that he was really proud of.

The Jindabyne-born singer-songwriter was well aware that first impressions count – and he was prepared when he took to the Bicentennial Park stage for the Star Maker grand final in January.

After he was selected as one of the 10 finalists, he refined his set list to showcase those songs that would deliver a knock-out blow to the audience and, most importantly, the judges, of the prestigious talent search.

The 23-year-old succeeded in impressing one and all, to claim the 39th Toyota Star Maker crown, including some managers who look after the biggest names in country music.

Manager Steve White (who looks after the careers of Lee Kernaghan and The Wolfe Brothers) is one who is right on board the Brad Cox express.

“Brad impressed me the first time I saw him perform in Tamworth this year,” White said. “He has a great voice and is writing good songs. I think he is the real deal and I look forward to watching him develop.”

Meanwhile, Troy Cassar-Daley’s manager, Roxanne Brown feels Cox has that something different in his approach.

“Brad Cox is a great writer and connects with his audience. His southern rock sound sets him apart,” she said.