The McClymonts, Travis Collins & Amber Lawrence, lead at Golden Guitars with three wins each

The McClymonts and country duo Travis Collins & Amber Lawrence went into the 46th Toyota Golden Guitar country music awards in Tamworth with six nominations each.

Both left the Tamworth Region Entertainment Centre on Saturday night with three trophies each.

The McClymonts’ won Group/Duo of the Year while Endless album followed up its topping the ARIA country chart by winning two major categories.

“We stand here as three women, three mothers who are so grateful,” Brooke McClymont said, adding that eleven years ago when they started, they never imagined winning an album of the year gong.

The act thanked producer Andy Mak“for bringing Endless to life…this was Andy stepping outside his comfort zone” and manager Dan Biddle for being “dedicated (and) relentless.”

Collins and Lawrence, who first met in 2004 at the College of Country Music (now Academy of Country Music), decided when they would create a record behind a lengthy joint national tour, it would have to be all originals.

The 7-track mini-album Our Backyard was about the beauty of the Australian landscape, with the title track inspired by a stunning bush sunset.

Amber said, “We really are truthfully each other’s longest friend in the business” while Collins recollected to the audience, “She was at my 21st birthday dressed as Wonder Woman.”

Kasey Chambers was inducted into the Australasian Country Music Roll of Renown (the 51st one) by, last year’s winner, Troy Cassar-Daley.

He said, “Time and time again, Kasey has demonstrated her extraordinary ability to connect with country and mainstream audiences in both Australia and overseas.”

Chambers said that the key to her longevity had been to stay true to whom she was, and being surrounded by a team which continually encouraged that in her.

“I’m really, really proud of what I’ve done in my career because I’ve always stayed authentically me,” she revealed to the audience.

“I’ve always been very proud to be a country music artist and I’ve never shied away from that term.”

Hosted by O’Shea, the presenters included NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian, John Williamson, Lee Kernaghan, Adam Harvey, Adam Eckersley & Brooke McClymont, The Wolfe Brothers, Anne Kirkpatrick, James Blundell, Tim Daley from Country Music Channel, Toyota’s Chief Marketing Manager Wayne Gabriel, 2017 Toyota Star Maker winner Rachael Fahim, 2018 Toyota Star Maker winner Brad Cox and Tamworth publisher and festival identity Max Ellis.

Collins & Lawrence opened the night with ‘Our Backyard’ while a team-up of Bushwackers & John Williamson and The Bush Choir on ‘Waltzing Matilda’ brought the place down at the end of the show.

Organisers and chief guests praised the quality and diversity of Australian country music.

“Once again, the winner’s compilation represents amazing talent, but more importantly the remarkable spectrum of music that is country music in Australia,” Dobe Newton, president of the Country Music Association of Australia said.

Toyota Australia’s chief marketing officer, Wayne Gabriel said: “On behalf of Toyota Australia, we’d like to congratulate all of the finalists and winners of the 2018 Toyota Golden Guitar Awards for their outstanding musical achievements and contributions throughout the year.”

“Toyota has been a proud partner of the Country Music Festival in Tamworth for 26 years, and we are thrilled to be able to continue our commitment to supporting country music in Australia from a grassroots level and beyond.”

Premier Berejiklian promised continued support for the Tamworth events.

“Tamworth Country Music Festival showcases the very best in global talent and has catapulted numerous Australian artists to stardom,” she observed.

“Through Destination NSW, we will continue to do all we can to support these types of events.

“They are good for the economy, great entertainment and inspire our next generation of performers.”

The concept of the famous Golden Guitar trophies was thought of in late 1972 by 2TM radio presenter John Minson, and 2TM Station Manager Max Ellis.

After deciding on the concept of a bronze guitar, local artist Harry Frost was commissioned to produce a detailed design based on a semi cut-away, dual pick-up, hollow-bodied guitar.

It was a recognition of traditional design, and modern amplified electric guitar.

The finished trophy stands 24cm high (with base) and weighs 1.5kgs.

The Winner’s List:

Alt Country Album of the Year:

Dragonfly by Kasey Chambers (producers: Nash Chambers & Paul Kelly)

Contemporary Country Album of the Year:

Endless, by The McClymonts (producer: Andy Mak)

Traditional Country Album of the Year:

Lighthouse by Ashleigh Dallas (producer: Brett Dallas)

Male Artist of the Year:

Shane Nicholson for Love and Blood

Female Artist of the Year:

Aleyce Simmonds, for More Than Meets The Eye

Country Music Capital News Group or Duo of the Year:

The McClymonts, Endless

Regional Australia Bank Vocal Collaboration of the Year:

Our Backyard by Travis Collins & Amber Lawrence

Bush Ballad of the Year:

Henbury Blues by Dean Perrett (songwriter: Neville Anderson)

Toyota Heritage Song of the Year:

Never Never Land by Tom Curtain feat Luke O’Shea (songwriters: Tom Curtain & Luke O’Shea)

Coca-Cola Instrumental of the Year:

Evelyn’s Kitchen by Davidson Brothers

Bluegrass Recording of the Year:

Back Where I Started, Davidson Brothers

Qantaslink New Talent of the Year:

Brad Butcher for Well Dressed Man

APRA AMCOS Song of the Year:

Our Backyard by Travis Collins & Amber Lawrence Songwriters: Amber Lawrence, Travis Collins, Matt Scullion)

CMC Video Clip of the Year:

Never Never Land by Tom Curtain (directors: Tom Curtain & Luke O’Shea)

Single Of The Year:

Our Backyard by Travis Collins & Amber Lawrence

Australian Country Music Album of the Year:

Endless by The McClymonts (produced by Andy Mak)