AWARD-winning Australian country music star Max Jackson headlines the December 20 Moree Ag Supplies and Steel Twilight Christmas races after-party, just weeks ahead of her ground-breaking third appearance as official ambassador of the Tamworth Country Music Festival.
Jackson, a proud bushie, Coonamble born and raised, is a three-times Golden Guitar winner and was crowned Golden Guitar Female Artist of the Year earlier this year.
She will perform at the Moree Christmas races from 7.30pm until late before preparing for a stellar 2026.
“I can’t wait for my first big appearance in Moree – it’s gonna be a special one,” Jackson told Moree Online News.
There is no end to Jackson’s meteoric rise.
In 2022, she was crowned the 42nd winner of Toyota Star Maker, Australia’s most prestigious country music award.
The following year, she signed with Stephen White Management and released her chart-topping single Little More Country, which held the No.1 spot on the Countrytown National Airplay Charts for three weeks.
Two years ago, Jackson earned two Golden Guitar nominations as well as a win for Best New Talent. She was also named ambassador for the Tamworth Country Music Festival.
Earlier this year, she co-hosted the 53rd Australian Country Music Awards and took home two Golden Guitars for Female Artist of the Year and Single of the Year for Little More Country.
She also toured Australia to sold-out shows and released three more singles – Grass, A Country Heart Can and 1990 Somethin’.
In 2026, Jackson will again be official ambassador after proudly fulfilling the role at the past two festivals – but first, she’s got a Christmas gig at Moree to headline.
“This is my first performance in Moree and I’m so excited – so close to home,” Jackson said.
“We always bring a high energy, fun show and I’ll be playing all of my own songs.
“A favourite crowd moment always is when I sprinkle in my ‘little more country’ versions of non-country songs, so punters can expect some Dancing Queen gone country, Summer of 69, Hey Baby and more,” she smiled.
Caught the bug
Jackson first performed professionally at age 13, but was singing for family and friends much earlier.
“My first time on stage was in Coonamble of course, when my singing teacher put on a little end-of-year concert,” Jackson said.
“I sang a song and recited a poem and caught the bug. My parents would then take me to shows like the Tamworth Country Music Festival and I would perform wherever possible.
“When we moved to the Hunter Valley, I started going to local country music walk-up nights and began writing songs.
“I did a little performing at school but it was mostly the country music community that welcomed me with open arms,” she said.
“My parents are big country music fans and my mum would play Dolly, Shania, Alan Jackson – I honestly grew up thinking country was the only genre that existed,” she laughed.
“Growing up in a small town where story-telling is such a big part of the way of life, contributed to wanting to write my own songs, too.
“Country music obviously walks hand-in-hand with the country way of life. That’s how I was raised and that obviously inspires my music every day,” she said.
Childhood asthma
Jackson defied medical odds, with singing – and swimming – helping her control childhood asthma.
“I started singing and swimming. As an asthmatic kid, these were suggested to help with my breathing,” Jackson said.
“I actually fell in love with both, but the time came when music really trumped everything else.”
Jackson works alongside husband, Jeremy Minett, her full-time guitarist and musical director.
“Jeremy is pretty much my partner in everything. He’s my guitarist, director, videographer, photographer, and everything else in between,” she said.
“I love that we get to experience all of the best moments on and off the stage together.”
Jackson will again take the stage at next month’s Tamworth Country Music Festival – not only as a performer, but also as the festival’s official ambassador.
“I am excited to be back for my ambassadorship again,” she said.
“I love working with the festival team and I think over the three years I’ve been working with them on socials content, we’ve been able to get the message out to a whole new audience about how great the festival is.
“The festival has been so good to me over the years, from some of my first performances to winning Toyota Star Maker, winning Golden Guitars and being the official ambassador.
“All the best things have happened and been celebrated in Tamworth – it’s such a great festival,” Jackson said.
A big year ahead
The Tamworth Country Music Festival launches a big year for Jackson, who will release a new album, Dangerous In Denim, on February 13.
“I’ve been working behind the scenes on it for a long time and I’m excited to have a body of work coming out that I’m really proud of,” Jackson said.
“Touring is my favourite part of what I do, so there are lots of touring and festivals coming in 2026 – I’m even heading to Berlin in March.
“I’m very proud to be able to fly the Aussie country flag when I’ve represented at festivals like CMA Fest in Nashville, too,” she said.
CMA Fest is the world’s longest-running country music festival, held annually in downtown Nashville, Tennessee, typically in early June.
“I’m gonna keep making music from the heart and have as much fun with it all as I can,” Jackson said. “I absolutely love what I do and am so lucky to have such a dedicated, kind and fun fanbase.
“I just want to get out and see them as much as possible,” she smiled.
Trackside
Out on the track at Moree, a six-race card with $96,000 prize money will be decided.
Races include a 950m maiden handicap and 1300m maiden plate, 1600m class 1 and maiden plate, 950m class 2 plate and 1400m BM-50 handicap.
Nominations close next Monday, December 15 at 11am.
Gates to Moree’s biggest race-day of the year open at midday, with the first race scheduled to start at 2pm.
General admission is $40, with all available online – there will be no ticket sales at the gate.
Group bookings, with a minimum of 15 people, are also available for Inside the Rail.
Moree Ag Supplies and Steel Twilight Christmas races
When: Saturday, December 20, 2025
Where: Moree racecourse
Time: Midday ‘til late
Tickets: Try Booking Moree Ag Supplies and Steel Twilight Christmas Races
