Congratulations to Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music student Talia Wittmann who has been named as the Toyota Star Maker winner for 2008, during the recent Tamworth Country Music festival.

The Adelaide-based 23-year-old won the use of a Toyotal Rav4 for 12 months and a record deal with Compass Brothers Records. Her first album will be released in August.

Talia Wittmann - Photography by Merryn Gomez

Talia released her first recorded EP at the age of 18 and her band, Talia Wittman and Overdrive, is popular on the South Australian pub and rodeo circuit.

She started her Bachelor of Music degree with the Conservatorium with a year of correspondence via the Virtual Conservatorium, before spending a term on campus at Mackay in 2005, but has since deferred her studies due to her hectic career.

However, Talia says she hopes to resume her studies one day and she still has some good friends in Mackay.

Talia is in good company as a Star Maker winner, as previous winners have included Keith Urban, Lee Kernaghan, Gina Jeffreys and James Blundell.

The Toyota Star Maker is Australia's oldest and most successful country music talent search.

There are more details at:

http://www.saccm.com/artists/wittman_talia/wittman_talia.htm and

http://www.myspace.com/taliawittmann

Talia Wittmann - Photography by Merryn Gomez
Talia Wittmann - Photography by Merryn Gomez