His return - zero. Duck egg. Zilch. Yet with the Cessnock musician leading the pool with six nominations for the 2017 awards on January 28 due to his acclaimed album Hard Light, Collins appears almost certain to leave Tamworth clutching a shiny six-string trophy.

“A few years back I received four in a year, but this year being down there and having six come out was something else,” Collins tells Weekender. “It’s bit of spin-out. My head’s reeling a bit.”

The former Star Maker Quest winner is nominated for album of the year (Hard Light), male artist of the year (Hard Light), heritage song of the year with Troy Kemp (Hometown Calling), song of the year with Damien Leith (Call Me Crazy), video of the year (Call Me Crazy) and single of the year (Just Another Girl).  

“Recognition in any category is really special for me because it’s your peers and industry buddies who actually select whose work they think has been a cut above standard,” he said. “For me to think about the people who have put me on that platform really does humble me and inspire me to keep making music better and better.”

For Collins, the secret behind Hard Light’s success has been its honesty. Unlike last year’s No.1 country album Wired, which was entirely penned by other writers, Collins composed or co-wrote every track on Hard Light.

And instead of looking for inspiration in stories or other people, he turned his focus inward. 

“I do know we tried to make all the songs really authentic this time,” he says. “We tried to dig a little deeper than we ever have before and I really put my heart on my sleeve and told the stories of my life, scars and all and some stuff you wouldn’t usually sing about on a cool record.

“We really wanted to be honest and authentic in our approach to this record and I think people have responded to that.”

During the making of Wired, Collins says he felt creatively shallow, but the songwriting well was deep and fruitful during Hard Light.

“It turns out the more honest and more real you get in your songs, that’s what makes it accessible. Because the things I’m singing about and writing about, which I’ve been through in my life, aren’t exclusive to me,” Collins says.

“Everybody has their own version of loss, own version of pride and home town. Everybody has their own stories of mateship and camaraderie. I found the more honest and real I am about those topics, even if I might have a slightly different version of it, universally we’re all feeling the same stuff. I’m really glad that I’ve learnt that from this record.”

On Monday Collins was laying down the finishing touches to a video for his next single Hometown Calling – his latest story of mateship and camaraderie. Filmed in Cessnock, the song tells the plight of many country towns across Australia.

“It’s about forgotten towns right around Australia,” he says. “New generations come through and move to the coast or the city and chase careers and it’s about the people and the roles in that town which are left behind boarding up their shops because nobody lives there any more.”

Travis Collins performs at the Albert Hotel during the Tamworth Country Music Festival on January 26.