Troy Cassar-Daley entered the realm of Australian country music royalty when he was added to the ‘Roll of Renown’ during the Tamworth Country Music Festival over the weekend. The roll “honours Australians and New Zealanders who have shaped the industry by making a significant and lasting contribution to Country Music”. Cassar-Daley was also awarded a Golden Guitar for Album of the Year, his second in a row, for Things I Carry Around. Joy McKean, the wife of the late Slim Dusty, who is one of Cassar-Daley’s greatest influences, announced the Roll of Renown award at the festival’s Golden Guitar Awards. Cassar-Daley wrote about McKean (in his book, which carries the same name as his album): “As a writer, she really raised the bar with her standard of songwriting, and she has been a pioneer and shining light for many of us who chose country music as our living. “…Joy has been a big influence on my life for a lot of different reasons. I’ve seen her and Slim’s story as being something that my wife Laurel and I aspire to. “We support each other, we are there for one another through thick and thin, we have something to do with each other’s careers, we don’t just step back, we actually get in and really help and encourage each other and be there as a sounding board…” Following the awards, Cassar- Daley posted this on his Facebook site: “So this happened last night, I was the 50th inductee to the roll or renown in Tamworth which is a huge honour!! “I am also very proud of winning the golden guitar for Album of the year for things I Carry Around. “I got to sing with my beautiful wife onstage at the awards which was a huge highlight for us both. “Sending love and thanks to all my family back in Grafton, my Mum for all the wonderful records and inspiration that helped make me who I am. “Love to all; I’m speechless really.” Cassar-Daley plays at the Yamba Golf & Country Club on Sunday February 19.