Recording Contract In The Sights Of Rising Country Star Tori Drake
TORI DARKE CONTINUES TO SHINE and is one step closer to reaching her dream as she finishes off 2009 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 the 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, 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’ where 10 finalist, 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.
A sample of the major prizes with winning The Toyota Star Maker 2010 are An Album recording contract with award-winning Compass Brothers Records; and production of a professional video clip of one of the tracks by an award-winning director plus 12 months use of a brand new fully serviced Toyota motor vehicle with a fuel card for the 12 months after winning Toyota Star Maker.
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 and more recently 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 for 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
