Whoever wins the illusive title, they had better be prepared to be hurtled into the limelight come Thursday morning.

“The competition is 40 years old and people know they are boosted four or five years in their careers if they win,” Tamworth Regional Council country music coordinator Cheryl Byrnes said.

“There have even been artists who haven’t been able to back themselves, take Gina Jeffries, she couldn’t play guitar but she was a beautiful entertainer and stands out among the crowd.”

The winner has to be able to deal with the media, draw a crowd at festivals and have the confidence to entertain with a sprinkle of something exceptional.

In the contest for the title is Arna Georgia, Blake O’Connor, Chelsea Berman, Jake Sinclair, Juliet Oliver, Leigha Moore, Linc Phelps, Lizzie Steadman, Matt James and Stephanie Penrose.

One of them will join the ranks of a number of famous faces, including international sensation Keith Urban – who’s returning to Tamworth for a show on January 22.

Urban took out the competition in 1990 against rival fan favourite Troy Cassar-Daley, who’s made an equally successful career for himself.

They’ll replace reigning Star Maker Brad Cox, who’s just toured Australia as part of his kitty with last year’s win.

It’s great to see some local ladies make the grand final Ms Byrnes said.

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“We’ve got a number of Golden Guitar winners who live here in Tamworth and it’s really nice to see a couple of young people who are good enough,” she said.

“Often there’s that quality that may not always be with locals but we’ve got it.”

Festival-goers can catch the rising stars at the Toyota Star Maker Grand Final on Sunday January 20 at 7pm in Toyota Park. The grand final is free to attend.

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