Tamworth-based country artist and proud Gamilaraay woman Loren Ryan has won the prestigious Toyota Star Maker competition at the Tamworth Country Music Festival.

The 28-year-old became the 43rd Star Maker title holder, following in the footsteps of Australian country music icons including Lee Kernaghan, Keith Urban and Beccy Cole.

Large crowds of fans gathered in Tamworth's Toyota Park for the competition's grand final, which saw 10 finalists perform two songs each to a panel of acclaimed judges.

Ms Ryan won over the judges and crowd alike after delivering an "outstanding performance" of her original songs Suddenly and Bounce Back, a track co-written with fellow Tamworth country music artist Billie Jo Porter.

"It was just a beautiful moment and I feel like I've worked my whole life for this," Ms Ryan told ABC News.

"I still didn't expect it because the field was so incredibly talented."

Ms Ryan, the first Indigenous woman to take out the competition, said she was optimistic her success in the competition would encourage other First Nations country artists to pursue their musical futures.

"I've got the door open and I'm going to hold it open for you."

She said she grew up "on the wrong side of the tracks" and paid tribute to Aboriginal music influences in her life including Roger Knox.

"I'm so thankful for the work generations before me have done for me to have these opportunities."

Star Maker coordinator and judge Cheryl Brown said whilst judging the field of entrants was challenging, Ms Ryan was a deserving winner of the competition.

"The judges had a difficult time coming to a final decision tonight, as they so often do, and after taking all elements into consideration, it was Loren Ryan we felt most ready," Ms Brown said.

By winning the Toyota Star Maker prize, Ms Ryan took home a prize package worth more than $100,000.

Prizes include the year-long use of a brand new Toyota vehicle, a return trip to Nashville, Tennessee to attend the United States of America Country Music Association Festival, and the opportunity to record and promote a four-track EP.

Toyota Star Maker producer Barry Harley said Ms Ryan was a 'very deserving winner' of the 2023 completion.

"This competition has launched the careers of some of the nation's top artists… and Loren is now included in that illustrious Star Maker winner's list," Mr Harley said.

Toyota Australia representative Tim Stuckey said the competition is widely known as a platform for country music artists to achieve their dreams and "Loren was truly a deserving winner of the 2023 Star Maker competition".

"Loren is taking home an incredible array of prizes which we hope will support what is going to be an amazing career in music, and we wish her all the best for the future," he said.