TAMWORTH and the region is well-represented in the 2015 Country Music Awards of Australia finalist list. 

Although the awards’ finalist placings are headed by Kasey Chambers and Luke O’Shea, with six finalist placings each, and neither are locals, O’Shea’s video clip and song inspiration stem from the region.

O’Shea’s track, Three Brothers (The Great War) is about three brothers, relatives of O’Shea’s, on the Boggabri war memorial and his video clip for Sing You Up was filmed at Camp Wando near the Leard Forest. 

Tamworthians Aleyce Simmonds, 8 Ball Aitken and Tom Maxwell also have finalist placings in the awards. 

Simmonds is a finalist in Vocal Collaboration of the Year with Luke O’Shea on Truckstop Flowers.

“It feels pretty cool,” she said.

“I had the prospect of being up twice this year in Vocal Collaboration with Luke and Lachlan, and to get up with Luke – who is the golden boy with six finalist spots – for a song I really love, Truckstop Flowers, is really exciting. 

“This is my fifth nomination and I hope, as the numbers add up, one will actually end up on my mantelpiece. 

“Luke is one of my best friends, so it would be really great to take this out because I awarded him one this year. 

“To win one with him this year would be even better.”

Announced at a gala function in Sydney’s The Rocks yesterday, Chambers and O’Shea are finalists in six categories each, including Male and Female Artist of the Year sections. 

O’Shea’s placings include the filmclip for Sing You Up, which was filmed in Boggabri at Camp Wando, a CSG protest camp.

“I know it’s not an easy video for people to play,” he said. 

“I’ve drawn a line in the sand, but I had to draw the line because I couldn’t sit on the fence, because this is something that is happening now. Particularly because it’s happening in the New England area, where Tamworth is. 

“People are crying out for a voice and I’m giving them a voice the only way I can, and I take that responsibility very seriously.”

Next in line are John Williamson and Adam Harvey with five finalist placings each.

Williamson’s finalist tracks include Clouds Over Tamworth, a song he wrote about the Tamworth Country Music Festival.

“I’m thrilled to receive five finalist placings in the 2015 Golden Guitar Awards,” Williamson said. 

“I’m even happier to see some of my industry friends recognised for some of the great work in the releases they have put out. 

“Clouds Over Tamworth is about sitting on the back deck of a house in Tamworth and looking out and admiring the formations of clouds in Tamworth that are quite unique to the city. 

“I’m also really happy to see my dear friend Sara Storer recognised for Video Clip of the Year for a touching song that she wrote about me, which is the kindest tribute from one artist to another.”

The McClymonts, Lyn Bowtell, Kristy Cox, Harmony James and McAlister Kemp all have three finalist spots each.

Nashville-based Keith Urban, a former Star Maker winner, has scored a finalist berth in two categories: Single of the Year and Video Clip of the Year.

Catherine Britt and Morgan Evans hosted the event.

The Golden Guitar Awards for Top Selling International Album of the Year and Sanity Top Selling Australian Album of the Year were awarded – respectively, to Dolly Parton for Blue Smoke and to The McClymonts for Here’s To You & I.