THERE was no shortage of glitz, glamour and greats vying for industry recognition at the 2019 Toyota Golden Guitar Finalists Awards.
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Dark horse Kasey Chambers and The Fireside Disciples took out a lucky seven nominations, with The Wolfe Brothers a close tally on the scoreboard.
Hitting the stage at the award nominations, The Wolfe Brothers have pulled an incredible five nominations after what has been a tumultuous couple of years.
The brothers and childhood friends faced some tough decisions about the future of their father’s property that dramatically changed their lives, and sound.
“We come from a place where there’s four generations of farming, four generations of music and we’ve had a lot of life stuff happen to us in the couple of years making this album.
“I think it made us go a little bit more in depth, I think about the people we were six years ago to now, we’ve grown a lot.
“We’ve experienced great loves and great loss and we’ve come out the other side better people.”
The band has lost 13 Golden Guitars in their time and are hoping they can snag one early next year at the official awards in Tamworth.
Hosted by funny man Adam Brand and calming force Amber Lawrence, the awards featured performances from Australian songwriting icon Graeme Connors, The Wolfe Brothers and alternate country artist Tori Forsyth.
Both Forsyth and fellow rising star Missy Lancaster are nominated for Female Artist of the Year at the Golden Guitars in Tamworth next year.
Inspired in her childhood by greats John Williamson and Slim Dusty, Lancaster is nominated for Contemporary Album of the Year and Female Artist of the Year, bringing her one step closer to joining their ranks.
“When I was younger I think probably now I’m learning who I am as a writer and discovering who I am as an artist,” she said.
“I’m writing about real life and if something happens to me in my personal life or to people around me I really try to use that to put into song.
“I’m just ecstatic, I’ve been working my whole life toward being nominated for a Golden Guitar so I’m over the moon.”
Lancaster’s debut album Piece of Me was the highest selling at the 2018 Toyota Country Music Festival in Tamworth.
With less nominations but more life experience, folk country singer-songwriter Fanny Lumsden welcomed her son Walter to the world earlier this year.
Her single Elastic Waistband is nominated for CMC Video of the Year.
“Essentially the song is about being okay with whatever state you’re in, you don’t need to be all dressed up, you can be in a perfectly great state with an elastic waistband sitting on the couch,” Lumsden said.
“It’s a self-acceptance song, I never knew how much I loved elastic waistbands until recently, my appreciation of them has grown tenfold since becoming a parent."
Filmed in Wyong near where Lumsden grew up, the video clip is directed by Anna Phillips and Sam Brumby.
“This year we came in just to support our friends to be honest because we only had one single that was eligible so I was truly shocked when my name came up,” she said.
Lumsden was among a number of famous faces at the 2019 Toyota Golden Guitar Finalists Awards on Tuesday, including Toyota Star Maker Winner Brad Cox and ambassador Lee Kernaghan.
Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson thanked them all for making the festival the $16 million success it is.
"The awards no doubt celebrate the success of country music artists as well as those who travel the road to Tamworth each year, most on their backsides, wondering how they’re going to pay for that fuel tank to get back again,” he said.
“I’m proud that this iconic Australian event is right here in my home town.”
Madeline Link
Madeline Link is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald, with a focus on Lake Macquarie City Council. To keep up with my stories, follow my Twitter @madeline_link, for tips email madeline.link@newcastleherald.com.au.
Madeline Link is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald, with a focus on Lake Macquarie City Council. To keep up with my stories, follow my Twitter @madeline_link, for tips email madeline.link@newcastleherald.com.au.
