The Golden Guitar Awards, officially known as the Country Music Awards of Australia, are the premier night of recognition for the country music industry. Held annually since 1973 as part of the Tamworth Country Music Festival, they celebrate recording excellence, outstanding achievement, and the growth of Australian country music.

The 2026 nominations have recently been announced, showcasing an impressive mix of acclaimed vocalists, respected songwriters, exciting emerging artists, and long standing favourites. These nominees highlight the depth of Australian talent available to be discovered and booked through acta, and the meaningful contribution these artists continue to make across the genre.

As a platform dedicated to supporting outstanding performers, acta is proud to celebrate the artists who have inspired audiences, strengthened the country music community, and delivered memorable moments throughout the year. See nominations on acta listed below.

If you'd like to see all nominations for 2026's Golden Guitar Awards, CLICK HERE

SINGLE OF THE YEAR

• Lane Pittman – Amen For the Weekend

• Max Jackson – Hold My Horses

• The Wolfe Brothers with Zac & George – How Many One More Times

• Kasey Chambers ft. Shane Nicholson – The Divorce Song

VIDEO OF THE YEAR

• Max Jackson – A Country Heart Can – Directed by Jeremy Minett

• The Wolfe Brothers – Australian Made – Directed by Jeremy Minett

• Fanny Lumsden – Look At Me Now – Directed by Fanny Lumsden & Dan Stanley Freeman

• Kasey Chambers ft. Shane Nicholson – The Divorce Song – Directed by Gabe Coggan, Kasey Chambers & Shane Nicholson

VOCAL COLLABORATION OF THE YEAR

• Wade Forster & Max Jackson – Denim

• The Wolfe Brothers with Zac & George – How Many One More Times

• Warren H Williams ft. Kasey Chambers & Shane Nicholson – Ntaria

• Kasey Chambers ft. Shane Nicholson – The Divorce Song

• Brad Cox & Randy Houser – The High Cost of Living

HERITAGE SONG OF THE YEAR

• The Wolfe Brothers – Australian Made – Written by Nicholas Wolfe, Thomas Wolfe & Graeme Connors

• Warren H Williams ft. Kasey Chambers & Shane Nicholson – Ntaria – Written by Warren H Williams

• Wade Forster – Take That Buckle Home – Written by Wade Forster & Allan Caswell

BUSH BALLAD OF THE YEAR

• John Williamson – Don't Let the Old Man In, Mate

TOYOTA NEW TALENT OF THE YEAR

• Wade Forster

COUNTRY MUSIC CAPITAL NEWS GROUP OR DUO OF THE YEAR

• Kevin Bennett & The Flood

• The Wolfe Brothers

MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR

• Brad Cox

• Travis Collins

• Wade Forster

FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR

• Kasey Chambers

• Kaylee Bell

• Max Jackson

SONG OF THE YEAR

• Max Jackson – A Country Heart Can

• The Wolfe Brothers – Australian Made

• Kaylee Bell – Cowboy Up

• Kasey Chambers ft. Shane Nicholson – The Divorce Song

ALT/AMERICANA COUNTRY ALBUM OF THE YEAR

• Kasey Chambers – Backbone

• Imogen Clark – Choking on Fuel

• Kevin Bennett & The Flood – Crucifix and Spinifex

• Jenny Mitchell – Forest House

CONTEMPORARY COUNTRY ALBUM OF THE YEAR

• Brad Cox – Endemic Intelligence in Multiple Dimensions

• Hayley Jensen – Country Soul

• Kaylee Bell – Cowboy Up

• The Wolfe Brothers – Australian Made

TRADITIONAL COUNTRY ALBUM OF THE YEAR

• John Williamson – How Many Songs

TOYOTA ALBUM OF THE YEAR

• The Wolfe Brothers – Australian Made

• Kasey Chambers – Backbone

• Imogen Clark – Choking on Fuel

• Kaylee Bell –Cowboy Up

• Kevin Bennett & The Flood – Crucifix and Spinifex

• Brad Cox – Endemic Intelligence in Multiple Dimensions

• Jenny Mitchell – Forest House

• John Williamson – How Many Songs

PICTURED: 2025's Golden Guitar Winners

Whether you are planning a festival, looking for a headline act or looking for a compelling guest for your next event, acta connects you directly with some of the most recognisable and accomplished personalities in the country.

Congratulations to all of this year's nominees!

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