The Golden Guitar Awards have celebrated a remarkable achievement for Kasey Chambers and her ex-husband Shane Nicholson with their heartfelt track, "The Divorce Song." This poignant piece, which explores themes of heartbreak alongside the complexities of enduring relationships, earned them the prestigious titles of Song and Single of the Year during the ceremony held on Saturday night.
In a light-hearted moment during her acceptance speech, Chambers quipped, "If we had known that getting divorced could be such a boost to our careers, we might have made that decision much earlier!" Her humor highlighted the unexpected turn of events that has brought her continued success.
Additionally, Chambers secured the award for Alt Country Album of the Year, bringing her impressive collection of Golden Guitar accolades to a total of 28. Expressing her gratitude, she remarked, "This song holds a significant place in my heart. I want to extend my thanks to Shane for his contribution to this track because you remain one of my favorite singer-songwriters in the world. Even though there was a period when that wasn’t the case, I am glad to have you back in that role now. Your willingness to take a chance on this song meant a lot to me. We certainly seem to navigate divorce better than we did marriage!"
In an interesting twist, Nicholson shared that the entire song was crafted through text messages. He reflected, "We didn’t want to tempt fate, aware of how things could go wrong. The writing process took us about an hour; however, it actually encapsulated around a decade of life experiences, growth, and wisdom. I take great pride in what this song represents and its potential impact on others, including our children. I believe it carries a positive message."
Meanwhile, Tasmanian duo The Wolfe Brothers also made a significant mark at the awards, clinching five Golden Guitar trophies, including their second win for Album of the Year. Their album, "Australian Made," was inspired by their contemplation of moving to the United States to advance their musical careers. Ultimately, they recognized that everything they cherish about home exists right here in Australia.
"Now is the time to uplift and recognize the incredible talent we have among Australian country artists," Nick Wolfe expressed passionately. "Country music is experiencing a surge in popularity in Australia, making it crucial for us to support our local artists." His brother Tom added, "We possess the talent and some of the best songwriters this country has to offer."
Together, they took home additional honors, including Contemporary Country Album of the Year, Group of the Year, Vocal Collaboration of the Year, and Heritage Song of the Year, raising their total Golden Guitar wins to an impressive 15.
In other notable news, Barry Harley OAM, the coordinator of the Tamworth Country Music Festival, received the esteemed Country Music Capital award, an honor reserved for individuals who have significantly contributed to the industry, even if they are not performers, songwriters, or producers. After 54 years of involvement with the festival, Mr. Harley humbly accepted the accolade, stating, "I often feel like a fraud because everything I’ve achieved has never been done alone. I am fortunate enough to stand on the shoulders of giants in this industry, and I graciously accept this award on behalf of all those incredible people."
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 featuring 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
- Single of the Year: THE DIVORCE SONG - Kasey Chambers featuring Shane Nicholson
- Top Selling Album of the Year: WHERE YOU'LL FIND ME - James Johnston | Producers: Jared Adlam and Dan Pellarin.
