There are plenty of up and coming musicians searching for their big break.
But for emerging country artist Jared Porter, winning the 35th Toyota Star Maker has set him on the right track. He has placed himself alongside a historical list of previous winners including Lee Kernaghan, James Blundell and country superstar Keith Urban.
Jared was born in the small gold mining town of Grass Valley in Northern California. He came to Australia at the age of 15 and first played in a punk band. Being a big outdoorsman, Jared spent most of his time playing sports, camping, riding dirt bikes and fishing. But after suffering from a serious rock climbing accident, impact sports were no longer an option and his love of music took over. "I was born in Grass Valley but grew up in Visalia, California, my mum met and married an Aussie, so we decided to move to Australia.”
It wasn’t long, though, before the blues and Mowtown music his dad raised him on resurfaced and he realised that country music is what he wanted to pursue. "I always had a guitar and would play with my friends who were into Blink 182 and Good Charlotte.
“But when I realised I was listening to a lot of country music in my everyday life, the choice to move to country music just clicked! I started writing songs and it all started falling into place and doors started opening.”
The Toyota Star Maker competition has helped launch the careers of some of the biggest names in country music. This year’s prize pack includes mentoring from country legend Lee Kernaghan. "I was researching Keith Urban and came across the [Toyota Star Maker] competition; I waited and didn't apply for a couple years.
"Suddenly at the end of last year my producer called me and convinced me to give it a shot; my wife agreed. It was very nerve wracking — almost like sending in a resume for music," Jared explains.
With the release of his debut album, ‘East To West’, last month, and with the Toyota Star Maker win still fresh in the mind’s of country music fans, the next step for Jared is playing at the iconic Gympie Music Muster later this week. "Lee Kernaghan is playing at the Muster; he has been mentoring me this year, it's been great rubbing shoulders with his crew and finding out how they go about touring — they have been playing longer than I have been alive!
“If you like the outdoors, camping or music even slightly, then you will love the Gympie Muster,” declares Jared.
The Gympie Music Muster runs from Thursday 28th August until Sunday 31st August.
