LEE Kernaghan already has an impressive collection of Golden Guitars, but in January he’ll add the highest Australian country music honour to his mantlepiece.
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The 50-year-old Boy from the Bush will become the youngest ever artist elevated to the Australasian Country Music Roll of Renown in January.
Kernaghan will be the 46th induction onto the granite boulders in front of the Tamworth Regional Entertainment and Conference Centre.
Roll of Renown producer Jon Wolfe said they did not induct artists to the Roll of Renown lightly and a lot of thought had gone into this decision.
Next year’s induction and primetime night concert on Saturday, January 17, is designed to bring back prestige and credibility to the event and it will be one of the first major events of the festival.
Mr Wolfe said it had lost some of its credibility in the past few years, but paid tribute to the organisers, Australian Country Music Foundation (ACMF), saying they had done a great job in keeping the event alive.
The other changes for next year include two new sponsors in the form of 88.9FM and NBN.
ACMF president Eric Scott said he was delighted to have these two media companies combine to promote the awards night.
“We are proud of Lee and his achievements and we believe this award is one that is very well deserved,” he said.
“To have his name on the granite rocks alongside all the pioneers of our industry will be a big thrill for this humble Boy from the Bush, I’m sure.”
88.9FM operations manager George Frame said the station was pleased to join with NBN Television as a major sponsor of this prestigious event.
He said the station would broadcast the event live and stream it on the internet for people all over the world.
“We wanted to help it and move it along,” Mr Frame said.
“We want to bring it back to prestige and this is a good opportunity to be a partner in this. We’re in it for good.”
NBN Television manager Andrew Graham said the station felt it was an honour to be associated with the event.
“We want to elevate it back to the honour and prestige it deserves,” he said.
The Roll of Renown has honoured those who’ve given a lifetime to country music through performances, recording and personal appearances and enhanced the integrity of the genre since 1978.
Kernaghan will be joined on stage by his sister, Tania Kernaghan, Dean Perrett, Aly Cook, Jan Kelly, Justin Standley, Dale Duncan, Johanna Hemara, Bridget O’Shannessy and a special appearance by member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson.
The next inductees into the Country Music Hands of Fame and the Country Music Broadcasters’ Hall of Fame will also be announced on the night and there are plenty of surprises in store.
