Casey Barnes, The Wolfe Brothers reflect on Golden Guitar wins
A Tasmanian country music star has shared the moment he found out he had won a major award “literally 30 seconds” before he was due to perform at a concert. Hear from the other Tassie sensations who received honours.
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Tasmanian-born Casey Barnes found out 30 seconds before he was due to get onstage at a concert on Saturday night that he had won his third Golden Guitar award, Australia’s biggest country music awards.
The former Australian Idol contestant wasn’t at the Tamworth award ceremony to receive the Contemporary Country Album of the Year award for his latest album Mayday, instead sharing the news to a crowd of adoring fans at a venue in Beenleigh, Queensland.
“I literally found out 30 seconds before I was going onstage,” he said.
“I have never missed the awards before, but was booked before it for two shows in sold-out gigs.
“While I didn’t want to miss the awards, the gig felt like the perfect place to be, to share that moment with fans because they’re the ones who get you here.”
Casey has previously won Album of the Year and top-selling Album of the Year in 2023 at the Golden Guitars for his last album Lights It Up.
Casey said Mayday was the “hardest” he had ever worked on a record, but doesn’t plan to ease up anytime soon.
“We have had a great past year, with this album and touring, playing bucket list festivals like Stagecoach, the largest country music festival in the world,” he said.
“There’ll be lots more touring though and I’m looking forward to heading to Tassie and playing back down at the Forth Pub again on March 29.
“It’s always fun when you get to go home and see your friends and family, the people you went to school with and played footy with.”
The Wolfe Brothers secured their tenth Golden Guitar Award on Saturday night – but the other half of the country music duo Tom Wolfe said the excitement and nerves on awards night are still the same as the first award.
Country music brothers Nick and Tom were in Tamworth for the 2025 ceremony, taking home the Vocal Collaboration of the Year award for their single Beer in a Bar, featuring singer Kaylee Bell.
The Longley-born pair rose to fame after they came second in the sixth season of Australia’s Got Talent in 2012, with Tom stating their fans have been a driving factor for their success and growth.
“We are very proud to feel like we get to represent Tassie and to have all their love and support,” he said.
“Just big love and thanks to everyone, it means the world.
“The surprise doesn’t wear off when winning awards.
“You feel less pressure building up to awards, but the nerves, excitement and adrenaline are still at the same levels during the awards ceremony as our first win.”
With their fame has come new opportunities, including a recent collaboration with The Wiggles on the new single Dorothy Doll and releasing new music with country stars like Lee Kernaghan.
The Brothers even managed to squeeze in an onstage performance with The Wiggles at the Tamworth Country Music Festival between other shows and filming a music video for a new single with country star Lee Kernaghan.
“We have a big year planned that’s for sure,” Tom said.
“I’m travelling back home to hopefully be in time for my wife to have our third baby.
“Then on top of some shows, we have our new album and this song with Lee Kernaghan – Country is Coming to Town.”
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Originally published as Casey Barnes, The Wolfe Brothers reflect on Golden Guitar wins
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