Are you the ‘Next Big Thing’?

Country Stars is a talent search looking for the ‘Next Big Thing’ in Country Music, and offers one of the largest prize pools ever seen on the Sunshine Coast. Nominations are open now and close on May 1, 2024.

“Country Stars was developed with the future in mind to help the young, the old, the new, or the used, and create the next big thing in Country Music,” explained Col Finley, the founder of Country Stars.

Col is a Country Music veteran who has established a successful career in music and has mentored young artists to build strong businesses in the industry.

“I believe in the future of Country Music and designed the prize pool to launch and develop artists' careers,” Col said.

Artists must apply online (outlawedclothing.com/country-stars-nomination) and each entrant must send in two videos of them performing. The videos will be sent out to be judged by a panel of industry professionals who will pick the semi-finalists.

“The semi-finalists will all have the chance to perform acoustically in front of a live audience and a panel of judges, but only five artists from each section will be chosen to perform two songs with our talented Country Allstars Band in front of a live audience,” shared Col. “The winners will be crowned Country Stars - Queensland and share in the prize pool.

“We plan to grow into a national event with every state hosting the Country Star event, and the winner of each state performing to be crowned Country Star Australia.

“The Mega Prize Pool was designed to discover and develop the next big Country Music star,” said Col. “The winners can set themselves up in a career or even boost an already started career.

“Both junior and senior winners receive a share in over $15K of cash and prizes, including a recording package, film package, distribution package, photography package, hair and beauty clothing, mentoring package, merchandise distribution package and the chance to perform at one Australia iconic festival, The Gympie Muster.

“They will also be promoted by Country Music’s largest magazine, Capital News. This incredible prize pool is designed to fit our mentoring education and development program.”

Col’s Country Stars is an idea he had in the pipeline for a few years but needed a place to have it grow, and thanks to the Maleny Show committee, Country Stars has its first home.

The Country Stars semi-final will be held Friday, May 1 and the finals on June 1, with contestants performing live in front of a packed crowd to a panel of judges and industry professionals. For more information, please call: 048877631 or email country.stars.australia@gmail.com