Kasey Chambers and Shane Nicholson have made waves in the music industry with their poignant track, The Divorce Song, which explores the complexities of heartbreak and enduring connections. This emotional piece earned them two prestigious Golden Guitar awards: Song of the Year and Single of the Year at the recent ceremony.
In a light-hearted moment during her acceptance speech, Kasey quipped, "If we had realized that divorce could be such a boost to our careers, we might have done it sooner!" Her humor underscores the irony of their successful collaboration following their separation.
Additionally, Chambers took home the Alt Country Album of the Year award, marking her impressive total of 28 Golden Guitar accolades throughout her career. Reflecting on the significance of The Divorce Song, she expressed heartfelt gratitude towards Nicholson, stating, "Thank you, Shane, for this song. You remain one of my favorite singer-songwriters in the world." She also acknowledged their past difficulties, saying, "You weren't my favorite for a couple of years, but I'm glad we're back on good terms now. It was truly special that you agreed to work on this song with me."
Nicholson shared insights into their creative process, revealing that the entire song was crafted through text messages. He explained, "We didn't want to push our luck, considering all that could go wrong. Writing it took us about an hour, but it really encapsulated a decade of our experiences, growth, and learning. I take pride in what this song represents, not just for us but for others and our children. I believe it carries a positive message."
The Wolfe Brothers, hailing from Tasmania, further solidified their status in the annals of Australian country music by clinching five Golden Guitar awards, including the coveted Album of the Year title for the second time. Their album, Australian Made, was born out of a realization that, despite contemplating a move to the United States, everything they cherished was rooted in Australia.
Nick Wolfe emphasized the importance of supporting local talent, stating, "We are currently experiencing a boom in Australian country music, making it essential for us to celebrate the incredible artists we have at home." His brother, Tom Wolfe, echoed this sentiment, remarking, "We possess exceptional talent and some of the finest songwriters in the nation."
The duo's impressive haul included wins for Contemporary Country Album of the Year, Group of the Year, Vocal Collaboration of the Year, and Heritage Song of the Year, bringing their total Golden Guitar wins to an impressive 15.
In recognition of his significant contributions to the Tamworth Country Music Festival, Barry Harley OAM received the distinguished Country Music Capital award. This honor is rarely bestowed upon individuals who are not performers, songwriters, or producers but who have nonetheless impacted the industry profoundly. After participating in all 54 editions of the festival, Mr. Harley graciously accepted the recognition, humbly stating, "I feel like an impostor because none of my achievements were accomplished alone. Standing on the shoulders of giants allows for clearer visions, and I’ve been fortunate to collaborate with many giants in our industry. I accept this award in honor of all those remarkable individuals."
Winners of the 54th Country Music Awards of Australia:
- Album of the Year: Australian Made – The Wolfe Brothers (Producers: Rod McCormack and Nicholas Wolfe)
- Alt Country Album of the Year: Backbone – Kasey Chambers (Producer: Kasey Chambers)
- Contemporary Country Album of the Year: Australian Made – The Wolfe Brothers (Producers: Rod McCormack and Nicholas Wolfe)
- Traditional Country Album of the Year: Start All Over Again – Brendan Radford (Producer: Brendan Radford)
- Male Artist of the Year: Wade Forster
- Female Artist of the Year: Max Jackson
- Group or Duo of the Year: The Wolfe Brothers
- Vocal Collaboration of the Year: How Many One More Times – The Wolfe Brothers with Zac & George
- Bush Ballad of the Year: Wild Roan Brumby – William Alexander (Songwriters: William Alexander and Pete Denahy)
- Heritage Song of the Year: Australian Made – The Wolfe Brothers (Songwriters: Nicholas Wolfe, Thomas Wolfe, and Graeme Connors)
- Instrumental of the Year: Lyrebird – Wicker Suite
- Bluegrass Recording of the Year: Born to Roam – Sons of Atticus
- New Talent of the Year: Wade Forster
- Song of the Year: The Divorce Song – Kasey Chambers featuring Shane Nicholson (Songwriters: Kasey Chambers and Shane Nicholson)
- Video of the Year: Look at Me Now – Fanny Lumsden (Directors: Fanny Lumsden and Dan Stanley Freeman)
- Top Selling Album of the Year: Where You'll Find Me – James Johnston (Producers: Jared Adlam and Dan Pellarin)
