Fresh from his Australian of the Year win, Lee Kernaghan cleaned up at the 2008 Golden Guitars.
His fundraising song “Spirit of the Bush,” recorded with fellow country artists Adam brand and Steve Forde, won single of the year, vocal collaboration of the year, and video clip of the year at the Country Music Awards of Australia.
Lee has now won 27 Golden Guitars. His hero Slim Dusty won 37 in his career, but Lee has no desire to better the country great.
“Nobody will ever overtake the king,” he told Adelaide Now. “There is only one king of Australian music and that’s Slim … he’s an Australian hero.
It was also a great night for Lee’s bandmate Adam Brand. He was named Oz artist of the year for the second year in a row.
Another Adam, Adam Harvey did alright as well. His new release I’m Doin’ Alright won the best album gong.
Aussie favourite Troy Cassar-Daley won the best male artist for his similar sounding album, Everything’s Going to be Alright. Dianna Corcoran beat more fancied rivals including Beccy Cole and Gina Jeffreys to the female artist award for her album Then There’s Me.
Sara Storer’s “Land Cries Out” was named Heritage Song of the Year and APRA Song of the Year.
Newcomer Kirsty-Lee Akers was named Best New Talent. Sexy sister act The McClymonts won their second consecutive best group title.
The 36th Country Music Awards of Australia ceremony capped off the annual Tamworth Country Music Festival.