Records have been broken at the 2022 Golden Guitars in Tamworth, with 17 awards presented for the event's 50th anniversary year.
Troy Cassar-Daley was named Male Artist of the Year and his album The World Today took out Top Selling Album of the Year.
Meanwhile South, his duet single with Ian Moss, was named Vocal Collaboration of the Year.
It has brought his record number of Golden Guitars to 40, surpassing Slim Dusty's and Lee Kernaghan's 38 awards.
"I've never counted Golden Guitars until I've heard that," he said.
"I remember having a conversation with Slim years ago about making sure you grow as an artist — even if you're in country music, you need to continue to grow.
Cassar-Daley also paid credit to his manager, Chris O'Hearn.
"This fella encouraged me to get counselling two months ago and it's the best thing I've done in five years," Cassar-Daley said.
"Good friends will do that."
The collaboration on South also meant Ian Moss collected his first Golden Guitar award.
"Unfortunately, Ian Moss couldn't be here tonight," Mr O'Hearn said.
Although Cassar-Daley was nominated for eight awards on Wednesday night, it was Shane Nicholson who took out the most.
The Brisbane singer-songwriter collected four out of five Golden Guitars, including Album of the Year and Alt Country Album of the Year for Living in Colour, plus Song of the Year and Single of the Year for And You Will Have Your Way.
Ashleigh Dallas, who calls Tamworth home, took out Female Artist of the Year and Video of the Year for Long Way 'Round.
Group or Duo of the Year went to the Wolfe Brothers, while their album Kids on Cassette took out Contemporary Country Album of the Year.
Hosts Beccy Cole and Adam Harvey also entertained the crowd with some cheeky banter.
"I'm sorry Beccy, I've yet to say anything to compliment you," Harvey said in reference to Cole's costume.
"We have the same black curtains on our windows at home."
"Thank you very much," Cole shot back.
Cole was honoured the 2022 inductee into the Australasian Country Music Roll of Renown, joining names such as Kasey Chambers and John Williamson.
Other awards included:
- Adam Harvey, Songs from Highway One — Traditional Country Album of the Year
- Angus Gill and Manfred Vijars, The Easy Way — Bush Ballad of the Year
- Michael Waugh, Dirty River — Heritage Song of the Year
- The Weeping Willows, Southern Gothic — Instrumental of the Year
- The Weeping Willows, Black Crow — Bluegrass Recording of the Year
- Darlinghurst, Where Do We Go — New Talent of the Year
'Heart overflowing'
Awards were presented to artists, albums and songs released between October 1, 2020 and September 30, 2021, despite the ceremony's postponement from January.
Thousands arrived in the country music capital to be wowed by the week's festivities.
On Tuesday night, Tamworth's main park was filled to watch 29-year-old Carrington musician Max Jackson crowned as this year's Star Maker.
Jackson won above nine other singer-songwriters and will now be supported until the next festival to follow a country music career.
"My heart is overflowing," she told the crowd.
Along with awards, the Country Music Festival has also continued tradition by celebrating legends in the industry.
A bronze statue of John Williamson was unveiled Wednesday morning, surrounded by the city's iconic Hands of Fame, where six music figures were added to the list.
Luke O’Shea, Kirsty Lee Akers, Lyn Bowtell, Roo Arcus, Dennis 'Fibber' Parker, and John Elliott have joined 300 others in country music history.
The Tamworth Country Music Festival will continue until the weekend, where performances will stretch from pubs to clubs across the city.
At this stage, the 2023 Golden Guitar ceremony has been scheduled to return on its regular January date.
