It's that time of year again when the nominations are announced for the Golden Guitars (or CMAA awards). There's so much talk about the perilous state of the music industry (and much of it true) and for those in the Country Music Industry plenty of healthy debate about the state it's in. Personally there's a lot of things about the country scene that drive me batshit crazy but on Monday when the awards were announced I came away from it with renewed enthusiasm. Look at some of the nominees and you may feel the same.
Kasey Chambers and Shane Nicholson predictably were nominated in every category they were eligible for and so they should've been. Their new record is outstanding and will earn it's place as one of the best albums ever made in this genre.
When Troy Cassar-Daley puts out an album he cleans up at the awards. This is the pattern. Is it predictable? Maybe but it's also justified. When I used to play in Troy's band years ago he idolised Slim Dusty. At times I wondered if he loved him more than his wife! (just kidding Laurel) but Troy better get used to the fact that he's creating a body of work that will be just as revered as his idol if not more so.
Catherine Britt to me she is the very definition of a great artist. Why? Because she keeps evolving and getting BETTER every time she puts out a record. Stop and think about what she'll be writing in 10, 20 years. I don't know what it'll be but I'll be buying it.
If there's any controversy in this scene it's that Harmony James doesn't sell a bucketload of records. I was so happy to see her recognised this year and pray that it'll help her to sell more and more of em. At the very least, to keep making them cause we need her.
From a personal standpoint I was very happy to see some of the artists I produced do well also. McAlister Kemp's star continues to rise, The Harmonators got nominated for their amazing song "Perfect Storm" and Harry Hookey was nominated for Best New Talent. If there was a category for BEST TALENT FULL STOP Harry would be there.... he's that good.
There were many others that deserve equal space such as Luke O'Shea, Camille & Stuie French, Amber Lawrence etc etc but I need to stop writing and get to work. I wish them all the best of luck on the big night