The final countdown is now on, with just over two weeks to go until the 53rd Golden Guitar Awards in Tamworth. This year’s show at the Tamworth Regional Entertainment and Conference Centre is one not to be missed, with a star-filled line-up of performers, presenters and hosts, preceded by the prestigious red-carpet event.
There will be a total of 13 performances on the night, with a mix of some of Australia’s biggest names in country music.
Kicking off the stellar evening will be powerhouse Australian duo, The Wolfe Brothers, with their hit single Little by Little, which is in the running for ‘Single of the year’ and ‘Song of the year’ on the night. It was penned by Nick Wolfe and co-produced by Rod McCormack in July 2024.
Also taking to the stage, Golden Guitar Nominee Taylor Moss with The Women Who Raised Me and 2024 Star Maker Winner Wade Forster with his latest release Chemistry.
Adam Harvey is set to capture the audience’s heart with his Golden Guitar nominated song Remember Me, written about his mother who lives with dementia, while Raechel Whitchurch’s title-track What A Time To Be Alive will sure hit home for many listeners. The raw, yet reverent lyrics speak to a miscarriage Raechel went through.
In contrast, up-and-coming duo Zac & George will perform Boys From The Country and John Williamson will take to the stage in his 80th birthday year to sing a brand new song that comes out on 17 January.
But that’s not all!
The top nominee for 2025, Troy Cassar-Daley will sing Some Days from his 2024 ARIA Award winning album ‘Between The Fires’, 24-time Golden Guitar Winner Kasey Chambers will perform Backbone, which secured 4, 2025 Golden Guitar nominations, Award-winning Tamworth-based artist Ashleigh Dallas will perform Setting Suns, followed by one of Australia’s most accomplished and versatile singer-songwriters Colin Buchanan, with Laura and Giselle.
Hosting the awards this year is Festival Ambassador and 2024 New Talent of the year Max Jackson and James Johnston, who with six #1 airplay hits, maintaining the #1 spot for 21 weeks on the ARIA Australian Country Albums Chart, is one Australia’s most exciting Country Music artists.
As well as being nominees, the exciting pair will also present an award and perform individually, with Max set to sing her latest single Hold My Horses while James will close with his soon to be released new single, HELL BOY.
Toyota 53rd Golden Guitar Awards, Executive Producer, Peter Ross, is excited to announce a diverse line-up of exceptional talent for the 2025 show.
“It has been a massive year for country music and it has been wonderful to see so many established and emerging artists excel, whether touring or releasing new music.
The Golden Guitar Awards is the perfect celebration of this talent and honours the finest in Australasian country music,” Mr Ross said.
This year a variety of artists, industry and special guests will have the honour of presenting the 16 awards including Duncan Toombs and Wicker Suite, Adam Harvey and Beccy Cole, The Pleasures, Luke O’Shea and Lyn Bowtell, The Bushwackers, Graeme Connors and Fanny Lumsden and The Wiggles and The Wolfe Brothers.
Sean Hanley, Vice President of National Sales, Marketing & Franchise Operations, Toyota Australia will present an award with 2024 Star Maker Winner Wade Forster, while special guest The Hon. Mr John Graham, MLC, Minister for the Arts, Music and Tourism will be in attendance and present an award.
The Roll of Renown will also be presented on the night by Toyota Star Maker Coordinator and Managing Editor of Tamworth Country Music Capital News Cheryl Brown. The Roll of Renown is one of the most prestigious awards in the Australasian country music industry and recognises and salutes those artists who have made a lasting and significant contribution to the industry.
6-time Golden Guitar Winner, including 2023 Female Artist of the Year Amber Lawrence and 2023 Male Artist of the Year Andrew Swift will host the star-studded Red Carpet. The artists are sure to captivate the audience with their chemistry, displayed in their Golden Guitar nominated vocal collaboration Fumes and Fireworks. They will also present an award during the evening.
“The Golden Guitar Awards will be an incredibly special and entertaining evening, highlighting the diversity of talent across Australia and New Zealand.”
“On behalf of Tamworth Regional Council, I look forward to welcoming everyone to the festival and wish all the nominees the best of luck!” Mr Ross said.
Tamworth Regional Council will present the Toyota 53rd Golden Guitar Awards live on Saturday, 25 January 2025, from Tamworth Regional Entertainment and Conference Centre. The Awards will also be livestreamed via the Festival website and Facebook page.
The Golden Guitar Awards are the nation’s longest-running music awards and play a vital role in developing, promoting, and celebrating Australasian country music talent.
Purchase tickets and stay up to date with official Toyota Country Music Festival at www.tcmf.com.au.
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