Gold Coast Music Awards: Casey Barnes chasing artist of the year, Amy Shark ruled out of top gong

Casey Barnes hopes to finally win Artist of the Year at the Gold Coast Music Awards, now that good friend Amy Shark is no longer eligible for the top gong.

CASEY Barnes hopes to finally win Artist of the Year at the Gold Coast Music Awards, now that good friend Amy Shark is no longer eligible for the top gong.

Nominations for nine categories at the awards opened yesterday.

Last year country music singer Barnes was up for four awards but sat back as golden girl Shark claimed two.

One of them was Artist of the Year, the third time she has won it.

However, she was also inducted into the Gold Coast Music Hall of Fame, meaning she can no longer win the category.

Gold Coast-based Casey Barnes is hoping to win Artist of the Year. Picture: Nigel Hallett

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“I was up against Amy Shark in (almost) every category – of all bloody years,” Barnes laughed.

“I’m actually mates with Amy. We’ve known each other for years. We used to play at the same venues when we were younger. I’m glad to see she’s done really well.”

While Barnes hasn’t bought out an album in two years, he’s optimistic he may be nominated for the category since he is up for a gong this month at the Toyota Golden Guitar Awards held in Tamworth.

San Mei won last year’s Breakout Artist and Song of the Year and said it was “incredibly encouraging to have the support and recognition by your hometown”.

Amy Shark has won the Gold Coast Music Awards Artist of the Year for three years straight. Photo: Jerad Williams

“This is a wonderful and important event for the Gold Coast’s growing music industry,” she said.

Mayor Tom Tate said: “I look forward to seeing which talents are nominated for this year’s awards.”

Nominations for the sixth annual Gold Coast Music Awards close on February 28. You can vote at gcmusicawards.com.au. Finalists are announced on April 2.

THE 2020 GOLD COAST MUSIC AWARDS CATEGORIES

Artist of the Year

Breakout artist of the Year

Live Act of the Year

Musician (instrumentalist / vocalist) of the Year

Release (album / EP) of the Year

Song of the Year

Venue of the Year

Video of the Year

People’s Choice Award

2019 WINNERS

Artist of the Year: Amy Shark

Breakout Artist: San Mei

Live Act: Ian Peres

Release: Love Monster – Amy Shark

Song: Wonder – San Mei

Venue: Vinnies Dive

People’s Choice Award: ELSKA