THE 2010 Toyota Starmaker winner Luke Austen has more than ten years in the country music industry under his belt, supporting some of the genre's biggest acts, but he is now more than ready to step into the limelight on his own.
Luke Austen collected the prestigious title at Tamworth's Country Music Festival last night from a field of 19 finalists hailing from across the country.
The singer, songwriter and guitarist, who grew up in Grafton, northern NSW - the home of some of country music's most loved musicians such as The McClymonts and Troy Cassar-Daley - said it was an amazing feeling to be awarded a prize that started the careers of the likes of Keith Urban, Lee Kernaghan and Beccy Cole.
Luke has won a big-budget recording session, a contract with Compass Brothers Records, a new Maton guitar and the use of a brand new Toyota for a year.
The population of NSW's inland city, Tamworth, has doubled in size this week with the annual festival, now in its 38th year.
The jewel in the crown, the Golden Guitars, awarded to those who have excelled in the Australian country music industry, will be held next weekend.
Australian country music icon, the late Slim Dusty, leads the tally with 37 Golden Guitars to his name, and his wife Joy McKean - a legendary songwriter in her own right, celebrated her 80th birthday at the Star Maker finals.
* More on Tamworth Country Music Festival in this week's The Land.
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