Lyn Bowtell’s visit to this year’s Tamworth Country Music Festival reached a golden crescendo on Saturday night.
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The Greta-based singer and songwriter won the Golden Guitar award for Alternative Country Album of the Year for her record Heart of Sorrow.
That gong was Bowtell’s first as a solo artist, though she previously won two Golden Guitars with her trio Bella.
After about eight previous solo nominations Bowtell was relieved to finally claim a statuette.
“It’s such an achievement for me, because I’ve never won a Golden Guitar on my own,” Bowtell said.
“I’ve been nominated so many times and never taken one home that’s got my name on it.
“But also [the win] gives you promotion from all different angles now, it’s like a seal of approval. It gives you a lot more credibility.”
Bowtell was also nominated in the Female Artist of the Year and Vocal Collaboration of the Year categories, the latter for her duet with Kevin Bennett on the track How Long?, but missed out to Amber Lawrence and Dean Perrett and Troy Cassar-Daley respectively.
And as fate would have it, Bowtell’s Golden Guitar win was announced by Heart of Sorrow‘s producer Shane Nicholson.
“Shane Nicholson presented the award with Jenny Queen, and when he opened up the envelope he gave it away because he made this little leap in the air and fist pumped – before he announced me,” Bowtell laughed.
After three weeks in Tamworth, including time as a mentor at the Academy of Country Music, Bowtell is looking forward to the quiet of Greta.
“I can’t wait to get home to my puppy dog,” she said.
And there could be more accolades around the corner with Bowtell nominated for four CMC Awards.
The public can vote at www.countrymusicchannel.com.au/music-awards
Album of the Year – Kasey Chambers, Bittersweet
Alternative Country Album of the Year – Lyn Bowtell, Heart of Sorrow
Male Artist of the Year – Luke O’Shea
Female Artist of the Year – Amber Lawrence
Country Music Capital News Group or Duo of the Year – The McClymonts
Vocal Collaboration of the Year – Dean Perrett & Troy Cassar-Daley, My Country My Land
Bush Ballad of the Year – Bloodwood & Clover, Dean Perrett
Toyota Heritage Song of the Year – Luke O’Shea, Three Brothers (The Great War)
Instrumental of the Year – Mustered Courage, Candle Creek
Bluegrass Recording of the Year – Kristy Cox, One Heartbreak Away
New Talent of the Year – The Adam Eckersley Band
APRA Song of the Year: Luke O’Shea, Three Brothers (The Great War)
Video Clip of the Year – Sara Storer, Canoe
Single of the Year – Kasey Chambers & Bernard Fanning, Bittersweet