The best in Australian country music has been celebrated in the country music capital, with the top artists and rising stars recognised and winners crowned at the 52^nd Toyota Golden Guitar Awards in Tamworth, NSW.

The Wolfe Brothers won the 2024 Toyota Album of the Year Award, with new album Livin’ the Dream, which was produced by Rod McCormack, Nick Wolfe, Matt Fell and Johnny Gasparic.

Livin’ the Dream, was released in April 2023, it was written during the pandemic using video calls with writers worldwide to create the 12-track offering and is the sixth studio album for the duo, who also took to the stage to perform the title track from their award-winning album on the night.

Shoba White, Senior Manager, Regional Operations attended on behalf of Toyota Australia and congratulated all the winners and finalists of the 2024 Toyota Golden Guitar Awards for their impressive musical achievements and contributions to the country music industry.

“For 32 years, Toyota Australia has been a proud partner of the Tamworth Country Music Festival, and we are thrilled to continue supporting Australia’s country music industry and celebrate the talented musicians and artists seen at the Toyota Golden Guitar Awards,” she said.

Joining The Wolfe Brothers as 2024 Golden Guitar award recipients were Kaylee Bell winning Female Artist of the Year, Bell was also a 2023 Golden Guitar Award winner.

Brad Cox took home Male Artist of the Year, and while he was unable to attend on the night, he also took home Contemporary Country Album of the Year for his album Acres and the Top Selling Country Album of the Year.

Max Jackson, 2022 Toyota Star Maker, picked up her first ever Golden Guitar for New Talent of the Year.

The Toyota Golden Guitar Awards is Australia’s longest running music awards program, now in its 52^nd year, and is presented annually by Tamworth Regional Council and the Country Music Association of Australia (CMAA).

While recognising and celebrating the success of the industry’s top artists and emerging talent, the Toyota 52^nd Golden Guitar Awards was also a moment to honour and acknowledge one of Australia’s most recorded songwriters, Allan Caswell, who was tonight announced as the 2024 inductee into the Australasian Country Music Roll of Renown – country music’s Hall of Fame.

Allan Caswell, joins previous inductees Beccy Cole, Kasey Chambers, Lee Kernaghan, Slim Dusty, and John Williamson. He has won a total of eight Golden Guitars, 14 TSA awards, one ARIA, one APRA award and two gold singles over his 53-year musical career.

The night also featured performances from this year’s top nominees and winner’s including Travis Collins, James Johnston, who took to the stage with Zac and George, as well as Brooke McClymont and Adam Eckersley, Fanny Lumsden, Max Jackson, SToReR, Allan Caswell, The Pleasures, Troy Cassar-Daley who sang his new song Let’s Ride, while Luke O’Shea performed a song paying tribute to the late great Joy McKean.

Chairman of the Country Music Association of Australia, Mr. Dobe Newton said: “The Golden Guitar Awards continue to demonstrate the diversity and strength of Australia’s country music industry and this year’s winners are a testament to the incredible breadth of talent that is on display.”

The Toyota Golden Guitar Awards are the only industry affiliated country music awards in Australia and the greatest celebration of Australian country music talent.  The awards are the pinnacle event on the Australian country music calendar and are presented LIVE by Tamworth Regional Council and supported by the CMAA.

 

2024 TOYOTA ALBUM OF THE YEAR LIVIN’ THE DREAM: The Wolfe Brothers | Producers:  Rod McCormack, Nick Wolfe, Matt Fell, Johnny Gasparic

Alt Country Album of the Year: HEY DAWN Fanny Lumsden | Producers:  Matt Fell, Fanny Lumsden

Contemporary Country Album of the Year: ACRES Brad Cox | Producer:  Brandon Hood

Traditional Country Album of the Year: BIRDSONG Felicity Urquhart & Josh Cunningham | Producers:  Felicity Urquhart, Josh Cunningham, Matt Fell

Male Artist of the Year:  BRAD COX

Female Artist of the Year:  KAYLEE BELL

Country Music Capital News Group or Duo of the Year:  THE WOLFE BROTHERS

Vocal Collaboration of the Year:  RUNNIN’ THE COUNTRY Travis Collins & The Wolfe Brothers

Bush Ballad of the Year:   DUST KIDS SToReR | Songwriters:  Sara Storer, Greg Storer

Heritage Song of the Year:   1861 Duncan Toombs | Songwriter:  Duncan Toombs

Instrumental of the Year:   GHOST TRAIN Wicker Suite

Bluegrass Recording of the Year:   OLD PICKUP LINE Wicker Suite

New Talent of the Year:   MAX JACKSON

Song of the Year:   SIZE UP Felicity Urquhart & Josh Cunningham | Songwriter:  Josh Cunningham

CMT Video of the Year:   STEEL ON STEEL Duncan Toombs | Director:  Duncan Toombs, The Filmery

Single of the Year:   SIZE UP Felicity Urquhart & Josh Cunningham

Top Selling Album of the Year: ACRES Brad Cox | Producer:  Brandon Hood