A new chapter in Australian country music is officially underway, with Ethan Calway announced as the inaugural recipient of the Keith Urban Rising Star Scholarship - an initiative designed to spotlight the next Aussie artist ready to break onto the global stage.
Unveiled by Keith Urban in collaboration with the Tamworth Country Music Festival, the scholarship is already shaping up to be a serious game changer.
Urban surprised Calway with the news via a surprise Zoom call and you can watch the heartwarming moment below
The scholarship itself is no small prize. It offers a fully immersive experience in Nashville, including opportunities to perform, write, record and connect with key industry figures. There’s also dedicated recording time at Urban’s own studio, The Sound.
Hailing from Warragul in Victoria, Calway stood out among a competitive field of emerging artists for his gritty guitar work, vocals and authenticity. His sound sits comfortably between country and rock, with a storytelling edge that feels both personal and widely relatable. His latest single, Better Tomorrow, is sure to continue building his momentum.
“What an incredible opportunity - I’m beyond grateful to be chosen for something like this,” said Calway. “To learn, write and record in Nashville, and to have that kind of support behind me, is something I’ve always dreamed about. I can’t wait to get over there and make the most of it.”
Urban himself sees serious potential. “Ethan has something really special,” he said. “There’s a rawness and honesty in what he does that really connects. I’m excited to see what this next chapter brings for him and to be part of that journey.”
The scholarship marks a natural extension of Urban’s long-standing support of emerging artists, and according to Tamworth Country Music Festival’s Peter Ross, it’s just the beginning.
“The response to the scholarship has been extraordinary, and Ethan is a truly deserving recipient,” Ross said. “This initiative reflects the shared values of the Festival and Keith - creating meaningful opportunities for artists to grow and reach new audiences.”
For Calway, it’s more than just an opportunity, it’s a launchpad with direct help and guidance from Australia’s biggest international country success story. And if this is the starting point, the rest of the journey is looking pretty promising.
Countrytown brings you Australia’s best country music news, interviews, charts and more every week! This post was authored by Countrytown and originally published on the Countrytown website. It has been re-published with permission.
