Felicity Urquhart sweeps 48th Golden Guitar Awards
Tamworth-hailing singer-songwriter Felicity Urquhart was the star of the show at the weekend’s 48th annual Toyota Golden Guitar Awards.
Celebrating all things country music, and taking place in her hometown, Urquhart won give Golden Guitars, with significant recognition by the industry for her album Frozen Rabbit and single ‘Chain Of Joy’ which she performed.
She was awarded Apple Music Single of the Year, APRA AMCOS Song of the Year, Female Artist of the Year, Toyota Album of the Year and Traditional Country Album of the Year.
It was a bittersweet evening for Urquhart, whose album was produced by her late husband Glen Hannah.
Morgan Evans was the other multiple award winner, taking out Male Artist of the Year and Contemporary Country Album of the Year for Things That We Drink To.
Joy McKean celebrated her 90th birthday by being inducted onto the Australiasian Country Music Roll of Renown.
Brad Butcher won Alt Country Album of the Year and the previously announced award for Top Selling Aussie Album went to Lee Kernaghan, who equalled Slim Dusty’s record of 38 Golden Guitars.
2019 Toyota Star Maker Blake O’Connor won Qantas New Talent of the Year, his first Golden Guitar.
“Country music is enjoying a new golden era in Australia, and tonight’s show has been an incredible showcase of emerging talent and industry legends,” said Dan Biddle, Chair of the CMAA.
“The combination of captivating performances, emotional tributes, and wonderful celebrations shows the remarkable spectrum of country music that we have here in Australia and, on behalf of the board of the Country Music Association of Australia, I would like to congratulate all the winners tonight.”
Others to take home gongs included Rod McCormack, Kristy Cox, Fanny Lumsden & Dan Stanley Freeman, and Kevin Bennett & The Flood.
“On behalf of Toyota Australia, we’d like to congratulate all of the finalists and winners of the 2020 Toyota Golden Guitar Awards for their outstanding musical achievements and contributions,” said Wayne Gabriel, Toyota Australia chief marketing officer.
“Toyota has been a proud partner of the Country Music Festival in Tamworth for 28 years, and we are thrilled to be able to continue our commitment to supporting country music in Australia from a grassroots level and beyond.”
Full winner’s list below:
2020 TOYOTA GOLDEN GUITAR AWARD WINNERS
Toyota Album of the Year: Frozen Rabbit – Felicity Urquhart | Producer: Glen Hannah
Top Selling Album of the Year: Backroad Nation – Lee Kernaghan
Alt-Country Album of the Year: Travelling Salesman – Brad Butcher | Producer: Matt Fell
Contemporary Country Album of the Year: Things We Drink To – Morgan Evans | Producer: Chris De Stefano
Traditional Country Album of the Year: Frozen Rabbit – Felicity Urquhart | Producer: Glen Hannah
Male Artist of the Year: Morgan Evans – Things We Drink To
Female Artist of the Year: Felicity Urquhart – Frozen Rabbit
Country Music Capital News Group or Duo of the Year: Kevin Bennett & The Flood – Blood Red Ties
Vocal Collaboration of the Year: Luke O’Shea & Lyn Bowtell – Sing Me A Story
Bush Ballad of the Year: Country Copper – Allan Caswell | Songwriters: Allan Caswell & Manfred Vijars
Heritage Song of the Year: Sing Me A Stor – Luke O’Shea & Lyn Bowtell | Songwriters: Luke O’Shea & Felicity Urquhart
Coca Cola Instrumental of the Year: Timeless Traveller – Rod McCormack
Bluegrass Recording of the Year: Yesterday’s Heartache – Kristy Cox
Qantas New Talent of the Year: Blake O’Connor – Worth A Little More
APRA AMCOS Song of the Year: Chain Of Joy – Felicity Urquhart | Songwriters: Felicity Urquhart & Kim Richey
CMC Video of the Year: Real Men Don’t Cry (War On Pride) – Fanny Lumsden | Directors: Dan Stanley Freeman & Fanny Lumsden
Apple Music Single of the Year: Chain Of Joy – Felicity Urquhart