Winners are BIG grinners at the Toyota 54th Golden Guitar Awards 2026!
The Wolfe Brothers have dominated the evening, claiming five Golden Guitar Awards, while Kasey Chambers takes home three accolades, and Max Jackson re-claims the Female Artist of the Year title.
Tasmanian-based brother-duo The Wolfe Brothers have cleaned up, winning five Golden Guitar Awards, including Country Music Capital News Group of the Year, 2026 Toyota Album of the Year and Contemporary Country Album of the Year for their studio album Australian Made, produced by Nick Wolfe and Rod McCormack.
The duo performed their title track, written with Grame Connors, which was awarded Heritage Song of the Year. While their single How Many One More Times, recorded with Zac & George won Vocal Collaboration of the Year.
It’s been a highly successful year for Kasey Chambers, now boasting 27 Golden Guitar Awards. Her 13th studio album Backbone won Alt Country Album of the Year, adding another award to its tally.
The Divorce Song, featuring her ex-husband Shane Nicholson was also named Song of the Year and Single of the Year.
Rodeo cowboy and 2024 Toyota Star Maker winner Wade Forster was not only named Toyota New Talent of the Year, but also Male Artist of the Year.
In 2025 he toured Australia and New Zealand with fellow cowboy – US superstar Cody Johnson – on his Leather Deluxe Tour and took on the USA, joining forces with Texas band, The Lowdown Drifters, for The Low Down Under Tour.
For the second year in a row, Max Jackson has been named Female Artist of the Year. The star’s career catapulted in 2022, after winning Toyota Star Maker and has since gone on to win four Golden Guitar Awards in three years. Max Jackson performed A Country Heart Can which debuted on national television in 2025.
Backing up his first Golden Guitar win in 2025, tonight Brendon Radford’s picked up the gold for Traditional Album of the Year for his second album Start All Over Again.
William Alexander was awarded the Golden Guitar Award for Bush Ballad of the Year for his single Wild Roan Brumby, co-written with Pete Denahy, while duo Wicker Suite won Instrumental of the Year for their track Lyrebird.
Alt country music duo Sons of Atticus were awarded their first Golden Guitar Award; Bluegrass Recording of the Year for Born to Roam.
Video of the Year went to Fanny Lumsden’s Look At Me Now, directed by the singer herself and her husband Dan Stanley Freeman.
Adam Harvey was elevated into the Australasian Country Music Roll of Renown. As one of Australia’s most enduring and celebrated country music singers, Adam now joins a long line of legends in the Roll of Renown, including Slim Dusty, Smoky Dawson, Reg Lindsay, Lee Kernaghan.
The awards event also saw Tamworth Country Music Festival Manager Barry Harley OAM acknowledged with the Country Music Capital Award for outstanding contribution over five decades to the development and growth of Australian country music. Barry has been a central figure in the growth of Australian country music for more than five decades, driven by passion rather than position.
Shoba White, Regional Manager (NSW/ACT), Toyota Australia, said the Toyota Golden Guitar Awards continue to showcase the extraordinary depth of talent within Australia’s country music industry, from established artists to the next generation of stars.
“Toyota is honoured to celebrate the outstanding musicians and albums recognised tonight, and to be part of an event that highlights just how strong and diverse Australian country music is,” Ms White said.
“For more than three decades, our partnership with the Tamworth Country Music Festival and the Toyota Star Maker competition has been about creating real opportunities for new and emerging artists, giving them the support and confidence to take the next step in their careers and, for many, ultimately see them stand on the stage as Golden Guitar Award winners.”
“To see the legacy of multiple Toyota Star Makers continue, alongside the incredible talent recognised at the Toyota Golden Guitar Awards, is a powerful reminder of why Toyota remains so committed to growing the future of Australian country music.”
Minister for Jobs and Tourism Steve Kamper said: “Congratulations to the winners of the 2026 Golden Guitar Awards, the highest honour in Australian country music. Tonight’s recipients are turning up the volume on our live music scene that’s thriving locally and making noise internationally.
“Events like the Tamworth Country Music Festival not only provide a valuable breeding ground for the artists celebrated at these awards but also provide a major boost to local businesses and jobs, turning Tamworth into a world-class country music playground for fans from around the world. Exactly the kind of unforgettable experience that inspires visitors to stay longer, do more and return again.”
Audiences were treated to 12 performances tonight, including a number of award-winning songs.
Executive Producer Peter Ross says “On behalf of Tamworth Regional Council, I would like to congratulate all the nominees and winners who attended tonight’s awards. What fantastic night it was, filled with unforgettable musical moments and heartfelt, inspiring speeches that celebrated the very best of Australian country music and its community – artists and fans alike.”
Chairman of the Country Music Association of Australia, Mr. Dobe Newton said: As our recent research revealed, country music is booming and being increasingly 'discovered' by an ever-growing younger audience.
The depth and breadth of performances by established and emerging nominees across all Awards categories this year is something for us all to truly celebrate.
Country's future is in great hands!
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