Emotional songs about heartbreak and lasting relationships led to the success of Casey Chambers’ Golden Guitar.
“Divorce Song,” written and recorded with Chambers’ ex-husband Shane Nicholson, won song of the year and single of the year on Saturday night.
“If I had known that divorce would be so career-defining, I think I would have done it sooner,” she joked in her acceptance speech.
Chambers also won the Alt-Country Album of the Year award at the Tamworth Country Music Festival, taking her total career Golden Guitar Awards to 28.
Casey Chambers and Shane Nicholson have remained on good terms even after their divorce. (Provided by: TCMF)
She said that “Divorce Song” has a lot of meaning.
“I want to thank Shane for this song because you are still one of my favorite singer-songwriters in the world,” she said.
“You haven’t been there for a few years and now you’re back there.
“For me, it was really special that you took a chance on this song.
”We are definitely better off getting divorced than getting married.”
Nicholson said the entire song was written over text message.
“We didn’t want to test fate. We knew what could go wrong,” he said.
“It probably took about an hour. [to write]but in reality, it probably took us 10 years to live, learn, and grow.
“I’m really proud of what this song is saying and what it potentially means to other people and to our children as well. I think it’s a good message.”
Big win for the Wolf brothers
Tasmanian musicians The Wolf Brothers continue to make their mark on Australian country music history, winning five Golden Guitar Awards, including Album of the Year for the second time.
The album Australian Made was written after brothers Tom and Nick planned to immigrate to the United States to pursue music careers, but realized that everything they called home could only be found in Australia.
The Wolf Brothers won five Golden Guitar Awards, including Album of the Year. (ABC News: Brigid Murphy)
The brothers said now was the time to support Australian country artists.
Nick Wolff said: “We’re in the middle of a real boom for country music in Australia and it’s never been more important to champion and celebrate the great Australian artists we have here.”
“We have talent, we have some of the best songwriters in the country,” Tom Wolfe said.
The pair also won They won Contemporary Country of the Year, Group of the Year, Vocal Collaboration of the Year, and Heritage Song of the Year, bringing their total Golden Guitar wins to 15.
bravo barry hurley
Tamworth Country Music Festival co-ordinator Barry Hurley OAM has won the rarely awarded Country Music Capital Award, which recognizes people who have had a significant impact on the industry but are not necessarily performers, songwriters or producers.
Resigns after participating in all 54 Tamworth Country Music FestivalsMr. Hurley accepted the honor modestly.
Barry Hurley has been recognized for his work at all 54 Tamworth Country Music Festivals. (ABC News: Brigid Murphy)
“I really feel like a fraud because nothing I’ve been involved in or achieved was done on my own,” he said.
“When you stand on the shoulders of giants, you can see further and more clearly. I have been lucky enough to work with giants…On behalf of all these people, I humbly accept this award.”
All 2026 Golden Guitar Award Winners. (ABC News: Brigid Murphy)
54th Australian Country Music Awards
Album of the Year: Australian Made
Wolf Brothers | Producer: Rod McCormack, Nicholas Wolf
Alternative Country Album of the Year: BACKBONE
Casey Chambers | Producer: Casey Chambers
Contemporary Country Album of the Year: AUSTRALIAN MADE
Wolf Brothers | Producer: Rod McCormack, Nicholas Wolf
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 Wolf Brothers
Vocal Collaboration Award of the Year: Many more times
Wolf Brothers with Zack & George
Bush Ballad of the Year: Wild Lone Brumby
William Alexander |Songwriter: William Alexander and Pete Denahy
Heritage Song of the Year: Australian Made
Wolf Brothers | Songwriters: Nicholas Wolfe, Thomas Wolfe, Graham 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: Divorce Song
Casey Chambers featuring Shane Nicholson |Songwriter: Casey Chambers and Shane Nicholson
Video of the Year: LOOK AT ME NOW
Fanny Lumsden | Director: Fanny Lumsden, Dan Stanley Freeman
Single of the Year: Divorce Song
Casey Chambers featuring Shane Nicholson
Best-selling album of the year: WHERE YOU’LL FIND ME
James Johnston | Producer: Jared Adlam, Dan Perarin