Riley Ziskey is an Australian country music singer and podcast host who recently gained attention as a contestant on Australian Idol Season 11 (2026). A self-described “emerging” artist, he hails from Longreach in Central West Queensland. Ziskey blends pop and rock elements with traditional 90s country influences in his music. In 2025 he returned to performing after a hiatus – notably appearing at the Tamworth Country Music Festival – and has since opened for established country acts and won local music awards.
Early Life & Background
Riley Ziskey grew up on cattle stations in Central West QLD, and later moved to Brisbane to pursue music. By his own account, country music was an unavoidable influence from a young age. After working as an auto electrician (and spending time in the mining industry), he reignited his music career in 2025. According to his official bio, Ziskey “swapped small town living for the bright lights of Brisbane” to chase his dream.
Music Career and Performances
Ziskey’s career is rooted in the Australian country scene. He describes his style as a modern take on country, fusing pop/rock with classic 90s country sounds. In 2025 he attended the Tamworth Country Music Festival, marking his return to performing after a long break. Soon after, he opened for country artists Tori Darke and Brad Butcher on their “The Chain” tour and won the Matt Perrin Development Award at the Country Stars competition in Maleny. He also competed in local talent contests like the Ekka Country Music Showdown and the Gympie Music Muster talent show, “quickly making his mark” in the scene.
He has since performed at country festivals. In late 2025 Ziskey appeared at the Ridin’ Hearts country music festival in Melbourne and Sydney (headlined by Megan Moroney and Nate Smith). He continues to build his presence through live shows, with plans for original music releases in 2026. (As of early 2026 he has not released any commercial singles or albums, but his website notes that new music is “impending”.)
Australian Idol Audition (2026)
Ziskey is known nationally for auditioning on Australian Idol’s eleventh season, which premiered February 2026. On 9 February 2026 he performed the Eagles’ classic “Take It Easy” during the Gympie audition round. The judges awarded him a golden ticket, advancing him into the Top 30 competitors. The official Idol season summary lists “Riley Ziskey, 23, Gympie, Queensland, ‘Take It Easy’ by Eagles” among those who received the golden ticket that week. This marked his first time on national television, introducing him to a much wider audience. (As of this writing, the competition is ongoing and no further results for Ziskey have been publicly announced.)
Personal Details and Statistics
- Age: Riley Ziskey was reported as 23 years old during his Australian Idol audition in February 2026. His exact birthdate is not publicly listed.
- Hometown: He is originally from Longreach, QLD, but his Idol audition listed Gympie, Queensland as his hometown (he has been active in the Gympie music scene).
- Occupation: In addition to being a singer-songwriter, Ziskey is a trained auto electrician.
- Height/Build: No verified information is available. (Height and other physical details have not been disclosed.)
- Family/Relationships: There is no public information about his family or personal relationships. Ziskey’s online profiles focus solely on his music career.
Social Media & Online Presence
Riley Ziskey maintains an active online presence to engage fans. He is active on Instagram (username @rileyziskey) where he posts updates about performances and music. He also hosts “The Riley Ziskey Show” podcast, a weekly series of interviews with country music artists. His official website and social media profiles highlight his performances and upcoming events. (No major commercial recordings are available to stream yet, but he shares cover videos and live clips on social platforms.)
Public Interest and Search Trends
As a newcomer to the national spotlight, information about Riley Ziskey is limited and mostly originates from his own channels and music competition coverage. Most public interest has stemmed from his Australian Idol appearance: for example, Google and media coverage list him among the golden-ticket recipients on Idol. Viewers curious about Ziskey are likely searching for Australian Idol 2026 episodes, his audition performance (“Take It Easy”), and basic background (age, hometown, career). Other searches may revolve around his country music activities (e.g. festival lineups where he appears) and his podcast. Because he is an emerging artist, details like net worth or private life are not publicly known; discussions focus on his confirmed music activities and recent TV appearance.
FAQ
-
Who is Riley Ziskey?
Riley Ziskey is a country singer-songwriter from Queensland, Australia. He is an emerging artist who gained wider attention as a contestant on Australian Idol (2026). -
How old is Riley Ziskey?
He was 23 years old at the time of his Australian Idol audition in February 2026. His exact birthdate is not publicly listed. -
Where is Riley Ziskey from?
Ziskey grew up in Longreach, QLD and later moved to Brisbane. His Australian Idol audition identified his hometown as Gympie, QLD, reflecting where he was living or performing at that time. -
What song did he sing on Australian Idol?
In his Australian Idol audition (Feb 9, 2026), Riley sang “Take It Easy” by the Eagles. His performance earned him a golden ticket into the competition’s Top 30. -
Did he make it far in Australian Idol?
He advanced past the initial auditions by receiving a golden ticket. Beyond that, his further progress has not been publicly reported. -
What else has he done in music?
Before Idol, Ziskey performed at country events and contests. For example, he opened for artists Tori Darke and Brad Butcher, won a development award at a country talent contest in Maleny, and appeared at the Gympie Music Muster talent show. He performed at the Ridin’ Hearts festival in 2025. He also runs “The Riley Ziskey Show” podcast interviewing other musicians. -
Does Riley Ziskey have any albums or original songs?
As of early 2026, he has not released a studio album or singles. His own site notes that original music is forthcoming. Until official releases arrive, his public performances have mostly been covers and live shows. -
How can I follow Riley Ziskey?
You can follow him on social media (e.g. Instagram @rileyziskey) and listen to his podcast. Updates about shows and music are posted on these platforms. -
Is there more personal information available?
No. Personal details beyond his age and hometown (as listed on Idol) are not publicly shared. Information on family, relationships, or net worth is unknown and has not been disclosed by Riley Ziskey or media sources.
Conclusion
Riley Ziskey is a young country music artist on the rise. With roots in rural Queensland and a passion for the genre, he has begun making a name for himself through local competitions and now Australian Idol. Because he is relatively new to the national stage, only basic facts about his background and career are available. Fans will be watching for more of his original music and updates from his podcast. As his career develops, interested readers are encouraged to follow his official channels and keep an eye out for news and releases about Riley Ziskey.