THE nominees for the second Tamworth Bush Ballad Awards, supported by Tamworth Regional Council, have been revealed, casting a spotlight on traditional Australian country music and the enduring legacy of bush ballads.

The awards include seven categories, five of which placed an entry for judging, including Male and Female Balladeer of the Year, Instrumental, Songwriter and Australian Ballad of the Year.

The Best New Talent or Encouragement Award and the Recognition Award for Bush Balladeer of the Year will be chosen independently.

A total of 73 entries were received, representing six Australian states and territories, including one entry from the ACT, 33 from New South Wales, 17 from Queensland,  four from Western Australia and South Australia, and 13 from Victoria.

Three nominees were selected in each category, and only one winner will be chosen from each category.

The Tamworth Bush Ballad Awards are judged by an independent panel led by Peter Simpson and Dianne Lindsay.

The winners will be announced during Hats Off To Country on the official Hats Off To Country Facebook Page.

Winners will be given the opportunity to perform at the annual Back To The Bush Spectacular, in Toyota Park, during the Toyota 55th Tamworth Country Music Festival in January 2027.

Country Music Coordinator Cheryl Brown said that while the Tamworth Bush Ballad Awards will not include a live concert and presentation event this year, it remained important for Council to continue supporting and recognising the artists and songwriters who keep the musical heritage of the Australian bush alive.

“Given the ongoing uncertainty surrounding rising travel and fuel costs, a decision was made not to proceed with a full event in 2026,” she said.

“However, we still wanted to ensure artists had the opportunity to have their work acknowledged and celebrated through the awards program.”

The Tamworth Bush Ballad Awards are judged by an independent panel led by Peter Simpson and Dianne Lindsay.

“The Tamworth Bush Ballad Awards focus on traditional Australian country music bringing bush ballads to the people,” Lindsay said..

“We’re excited to see the great number of entries keeping alive the stories and the spirit of the bush ballads.”

All eligible material must have been released between January 1, 2025 and April 14, 2026.

Entries released within the relevant dates, which did not win a Tamworth Bush Ballad Award in 2025, were eligible to re-enter.

Nominees

INSTRUMENTAL OF THE YEAR

Hitchhiker – Lindsay Waddington featuring Charley Boyter

Sons of the Saddle – Terry Bennetts

Mt Scoria – Anthony Baxter & Lindsay Butler

FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR

Dianne Coombes – The Jacaranda Tree

Alice Benfer – Saddle Dreaming

Patti Morgan – Australian Skies

MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR

Pat Brown Jnr – Sunny Queensland Skies

Rob Breese – A Dirranbandi Moon

Dean Perrett – Rawbelle

AUSTRALIAN BALLAD OF THE YEAR

Don’t Let The Old Man In, Mate – John Williamson

A Dirranbandi Moon – Rob Breese (written by Kelly Dixon and Rob Breese)

Western Herald – Glenn Jones (written by Ian Quinn)

SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR

Virginia Hermel – Music Freeway

A Dirranbandi Moon – Kelly Dixon & Rob Breese

Don’t Let The Old Man In, Mate – John Williamson

Winners will receive handcrafted trophies made from Australian native timber, featuring the unique Tamworth Bush Ballad Awards logo and engraved with each recipient’s name, designed to reflect the heart of the bush and the stories it inspires.

For more information, artists and industry members can contact the Tamworth Bush Ballad Awards committee on 0401 095306.