DARREN COGGAN

Darren’s professional career kicked off in 1995 when he won the inaugural Trans-Tasman Entertainer Of The Year on Norfolk Island. He then went on to take out the prestigious Toyota Star Maker Quest in 1996, charting a course as a successful recording artist within the Australian Country Music Industry.  

In January 2001 Darren was awarded his first Golden Guitar at the Toyota Country Music Awards of Australia. In recognition of his outstanding achievements, Darren was awarded the Centenary Medal – “For Services to Australian Society” in 2003. This same year, he released his second album, Balancing Act, for which he was awarded Australian Independent Male Vocalist of the Year. 2008 saw Darren release his fourth album, War Stories, a moving salute to the ANZACS for which he was awarded his second Golden Guitar.  

Darren has been equally as comfortable in musicals and on screen having toured Australia extensively playing roles including Richie Cunningham in Happy Days the Arena Mega Musical 1999, Teen Angel and Vince Fontaine in Grease - The Mega Musical 2001-2002, Col Joye in Shout - the musical of the Wild One 2003, understudied John Farnham as Teen Angel in Grease - The Arena Spectacular 2005 and the lead role of Dad in the world premiere production of John Williamson’s musical Quambatook, 2008. Darren’s on-screen credits include hosting Foxtel’s Out & About - The Great Aussie Pub Tour, the award-winning Channel 7 drama All Saints 2001/2004/2005 and currently as a presenter on Sydney Weekender for Network 7. 

Darren’s critically acclaimed production, Peace Train – The Cat Stevens Story, has inspired audiences in the most prestigious theatres around the world, including sell out seasons at the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall. In September 2017, Darren performed ‘Peace Train’ to standing ovations across the United Kingdom on 18 of the world’s grandest stages, including the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Liverpool Philharmonic & Manchester Bridgewater Hall.  

Darren was awarded ‘Male Artist Of The Year’ for consecutive years at the Australian Celtic Music Awards in 2016 & 2017 and dominated the 2017 Australian Independent Country Music Awards taking home three coveted awards; ‘Single Of The Year’, ‘Male Vocalist Of The Year’ and the big one, ‘Album Of The Year’ for his album, ‘The Wide Horizon’.  

In 2019 Darren returned to his country roots 'Like A Rhinestone Cowboy', delivering the vocal authenticity and guitar prowess of the great Glen Campbell for which he was awarded ‘Album Of The Year’ & ‘Male Vocalist Of The Year’ at the 2019 Australian Independent Country Music Awards.

In 2020, Darren teamed up with Damien Leith (winner of Australian Idol) to record an acoustic album of Lennon & McCartney treasures titled ‘Two Of Us’ through Ambition/Sony music and continues to tour this show across Australia.

 Most recently, Darren has been starring in ‘Classic Country Gold’ a symphonic spectacular that celebrates four of the greatest country music performers of all time, backed by a symphony orchestra.