Emma Pritchard

Country music icon and proud Gumbaynggirr/Bundjalung man Troy Cassar-Daley, won his 40th Golden Guitar at the 2022 Country Music Awards of Australia (CMAA) in Tamworth last week, breaking the record of 38 previously shared by legendary singer-songwriter, the late Slim Dusty, and popular performer Lee Kernaghan.

Nominated across eight categories, Cassar-Daley won three, including Male Artist of the Year and Top Selling Album of the Year for The World Today, his most recent and thirteenth studio album.

He also took home the Golden Guitar for Vocal Collaboration of the Year with ‘South’, his debut single with Ian Moss.

Born in Sydney, Cassar-Daley moved to Grafton as a young child and grew up in the Clarence Valley.

He first ventured to Tamworth for the annual country music festival in the early 1980s and claimed his first Golden Guitar in 1996, winning Male Artist of the Year.

Fittingly, his record-breaking Golden Guitar was presented to him by Lee Kernaghan, who prior to announcing the winner, told the crowd, “we’re making some country music history tonight everyone.”

As he proudly held his award while the crowd gave him a standing ovation, Cassar-Daley fought back tears of gratitude and smiling appreciatively, promised he wouldn’t cry.

During his speech he acknowledged his beloved wife Laurel, who was unable to attend the event, and recalled a conversation they had had where she accurately predicted he would one day “be in the front row” during the awards.

“And that dream came true,” he said to the crowd.

Reflecting on his record-breaking win, Cassar-Daley said it was an honour to know the late Slim Dusty and his wife, Joy McKean, before revealing he had received an email from the family earlier that day, telling him the Dusty’s were barracking for him.

“I remember having a conversation with Slim years ago about making sure you’re continuing to feel like you’re growing as an artist, even if you’re a country artist you’ve got to continue to grow,” he said.

“I sat down with Ian, and we wrote some songs together, and we talked about life, and that’s what country music is about to me.

“It’s about our lives and how we can capture that in three and a half, or four minutes.”

Admitting he had never counted Golden Guitars until he heard how close he was to breaking the record earlier in the evening, Cassar-Daley spoke of his love for the country music industry and thanked his family, team, and everyone involved in the creation of his latest album, ‘The World Today’.

Cassar-Daley and Moss are currently on the road as part of their ‘Together Alone 2022 Tour’.

For the latest tour dates and venues, please visit www.troycassardaley.com.au