BESTOWED with two of the greatest honours a man could hope for, Americana artist Andrew Swift has some exciting news to share.
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He's been nominated for Vocal Collaboration of the Year at the Toyota 2020 Golden Guitar Awards with Greta Ziller for Second Hand.
Perhaps more importantly, he's now the ambassador for Gundagai's Dog on the Tuckerbox statue after multiple stops on the Hume Highway for a selfie.
The beloved statue has had a makeover after it was senselessly vandalised last year.
"I'm truly honoured and absolutely stoked with the council's decision to make me an ambassador for Gundagai's beloved dog," he said.
"It definitely is a title I will wear with pride.
"I feel that everything I was already doing now becomes a whole lot more official.
"I once made a sweeping statement that I'm pretty sure it's illegal to not stop and get a photo with the Dog on the Tuckerbox and since then I've done so everytime I go past which as a touring musician is a lot."
The Melbourne artist's album Call Out for the Cavalry has been a favourite among fans of alternate country music.
Swift had to cancel dates on his Great Australian Caravan Park Country Music Showcase when fires ravaged the south coast.
"We were in Victoria and after the show we looked back across the water and just watched the horizon burn," he said.
"We had to cancel because we usually go up the south coast but people were getting evacuated and it was pretty horrific.
"All we could do was sit back and watch it on the news."
It's been a year of highs and lows, and Swift was stoked to be nominated for a Golden Guitar for Best Vocal Collaboration with Gretta Ziller.
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It's inspired by a second hand clothing shop, Swift said.
"It's written by Gretta, in Melbourne you need to be prepared for all four seasons in one day," he said.
"Last year was the first year I got nominated and it's great to win, to be nominated again this year with Gretta is really special."
As an alternate country artist, Swift said he believed audiences were becoming more open to the sub-genre.
"There's definitely more of it coming from Melbourne this year, I think it's growing because listeners are more open to different country," he said.
Swift will be testing out some songs for his new album on crowds.
He'll be playing at The Tamworth Hotel with his band on Wednesday and again at The Longyard Hotel with The Wolfe Brothers January 24.
Madeline Link
Madeline Link is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald, with a focus on Lake Macquarie City Council. To keep up with my stories, follow my Twitter @madeline_link, for tips email madeline.link@newcastleherald.com.au.
Madeline Link is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald, with a focus on Lake Macquarie City Council. To keep up with my stories, follow my Twitter @madeline_link, for tips email madeline.link@newcastleherald.com.au.
