Golden Guitar success for Kasey Chambers and Shane Nicholson with The Divorce Song
Kasey Chambers won three Golden Guitars in Tamworth. (ABC News: Brigitte Murphy)
In short:
Kasey Chambers and Shane Nicholson have won multiple Golden Guitar awards for a song they penned through text messages about their divorce.
The Wolfe Brothers were the night's biggest winners with five awards, including Album of the Year.
Tamworth Country Music Festival coordinator Barry Harley was honoured for his 54 years of service.
An emotional song of heartbreak and an enduring relationship has led to Golden Guitar success for Kasey Chambers.
The Divorce Song, written and recorded with Chambers' ex-husband, Shane Nicholson, won Song and Single of the Year on Saturday night.
"I think if we'd known that divorce was such a career move, we would have done it sooner," she joked in her acceptance speech.
Chambers also won Alt Country Album of the Year at the awards presented at the Tamworth Country Music Festival, bringing her career total Golden Guitars to 28.
Kasey Chambers and Shane Nicholson have maintained a positive relationship since their divorce. (Supplied: TCMF)
She said The Divorce Song meant a lot.
"I want to thank Shane for this song because you are still one of my favourite singer-songwriters in the whole wide world," she said.
"You weren't for a couple of years, but you're back in there now.
"It was really special that you took a chance on this song, for me.
"We definitely do divorce better than we did marriage."
Nicholson said the entire song was written by text message.
"We didn't want to test fate, we knew what could go wrong," he said.
"It took us maybe an hour [to write], but in reality it took us maybe 10 years of living, learning and growing.
"I'm really proud of what this song says and potentially means for other people, and our kids as well. I think it's a good message."
The Wolfe Brothers win big
Tasmanian musicians The Wolfe Brothers continued to stamp their legacy on Australia's country music history, winning five Golden Guitar awards, including Album of the Year for a second time.
The album, Australian Made, was written after brothers Tom and Nick were set to move to the United States to pursue their musical career, but realised that everything they call home could only be found in Australia.
The Wolfe Brothers won five Golden Guitars, including Album of the Year. (ABC News: Brigitte Murphy)
The brothers said now is the time to support Australian country artists.
"We're in the middle of a moment where country music is really big in Australia, and it's never been more important that we champion and celebrate the incredible Australian artists we have here," Nick Wolfe said.
"We have the talent, we've got the best songwriters in the country," Tom Wolfe added.
The pair also won Contemporary Country Album of the Year, Group of the Year, Vocal Collaboration of the Year, and Heritage Song of the Year, extending their total Golden Guitar wins to date to 15.
Bravo Barry Harley
Coordinator of the Tamworth Country Music Festival, Barry Harley OAM, received the rarely presented Country Music Capital award for people who have had a significant impact on the industry but are not necessarily performers, songwriters or producers.
Stepping down after being part of all 54 Tamworth Country Music festivals, Mr Harley remained modest accepting the accolade.
Barry Harley was recognised for his work on all 54 Tamworth Country Music festivals. (ABC News: Brigitte Murphy)
"I genuinely feel like an impostor because nothing that I've been involved in or achieved has been done on my own," he said.
"You can see much further and much clearer if you stand on the shoulders of giants, and I've been fortunate to work with giants … if I may just graciously accept this award on behalf of all those people."
All the winners at the 2026 Golden Guitar Awards. (ABC News: Brigitte Murphy)
54th Country Music Awards of Australia
Album of the Year: AUSTRALIAN MADE
The Wolfe Brothers | Producers: Rod McCormack and Nicholas Wolfe
Alt Country Album of the Year: BACKBONE
Kasey Chambers | Producers: Kasey Chambers
Contemporary Country Album of the Year: AUSTRALIAN MADE
The Wolfe Brothers | Producers: Rod McCormack and Nicholas Wolfe
Traditional Country Album of the Year: START ALL OVER AGAIN
Brendan Radford | Producer: Brendan Radford
Male Artist of the Year: WADE FORSTER
Female Artist of the Year: MAX JACKSON
Group or Duo of the Year: THE WOLFE BROTHERS
Vocal Collaboration of the Year: HOW MANY ONE MORE TIMES
The Wolfe Brothers with Zac & George
Bush Ballad of the Year: WILD ROAN BRUMBY
William Alexander | Songwriters: William Alexander and Pete Denahy
Heritage Song of the Year: AUSTRALIAN MADE
The Wolfe Brothers | Songwriters: Nicholas Wolfe, Thomas Wolfe and Graeme Connors
Instrumental of the Year: LYREBIRD
Wicker Suite
Bluegrass Recording of the Year: BORN TO ROAM
Sons of Atticus
New Talent of the Year: WADE FORSTER
Song of the Year: THE DIVORCE SONG
Kasey Chambers featuring Shane Nicholson | Songwriters: Kasey Chambers and Shane Nicholson
Video of the Year: LOOK AT ME NOW
Fanny Lumsden | Directors: Fanny Lumsden and Dan Stanley Freeman
Single of the Year: THE DIVORCE SONG
Kasey Chambers featuring Shane Nicholson
Top Selling Album of the Year: WHERE YOU'LL FIND ME
James Johnston | Producer: Jared Adlam and Dan Pellarin