KEITH Urban will be honoured for a lifetime of achievement at the 2025 Toyota Golden Guitar Awards at the Tamworth Country Music Festival – and Tamworth Regional Council confirmed the global country star will be in town to receive the Australasian Country Music Roll of Renown award.
Urban joins the likes of Slim Dusty, Tex Morton, John Williamson, Buddy Williams, Smoky Dawson, Troy Cassar-Daley, Kasey Chambers, Gordon Parson, Chad Morgan, Joy McKean and Beccy Cole on the Roll of Renown.
The prestigious honour, which recognises extraordinary creative contributions to the Australasian country music industry, marks yet another significant milestone in Urban’s already storied career, said Peter Ross, executive producer of the Toyota Golden Guitar Awards.
“Keith’s influence on the global country music scene is on-going and immeasurable,” Ross said.
“His dedication to the genre, his boundary-pushing artistry, and his unwavering commitment to music make him a natural choice for the Roll of Renown.”
The night will also see Urban on hand to take home this year’s Golden Guitar Award for Top Selling Australian Country Album of the Year for High.
Urban’s journey to superstardom began in Tamworth, busking at the Tamworth Country Music Festival, performing at local venues. His early involvement in the festival’s Talent Quest and his victory in the Star Maker competition at the age of 22 set him on a trajectory that would forever shape his career and the genre itself.
Even then, his extraordinary guitar playing, musical curiosity, ability to command a stage and creative exploration were apparent.
Since then, Urban’s become a global icon whose won four Grammy Awards, thirteen CMAs, (two for
Entertainer of the Year), fifteen ACMs, three AMAs, six ARIA Awards and 15 Golden Guitar Awards.
He’s a Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee and a member of the Grand Ole Opry.
While Urban’s career has taken him well beyond his humble beginnings, his ties to Tamworth remain
unwavering.
His Roll of Renown is a full-circle moment for Urban, celebrating not just his achievements, but
his enduring connection to the town that helped shaped him.
Festival manager Barry Harley said Urban embodies the essence of the Tamworth Country Music Festival.
“His journey is a testament to the power of perseverance, passion, and talent,” Harley said.
As his influence continues to grow, so too does Urban’s ability to inspire future generations of artists. Whether through his mentorship, collaborations, philanthropic contributions or groundbreaking music, Urban remains at the forefront of the country music landscape.
His High and Alive World Tour will come to Australia in August with 9 arena shows.
Established by Radio 2TM in 1976, the Australasian Country Music Roll of Renown recognises and salutes artists who have made a lasting and significant contribution to Australian country music.
It is regarded one of the most prestigious industry awards.
The award is determined by an independent selection panel and is announced each year at the Golden Guitar Awards during the Tamworth Country Music Festival.
The new plaque is unveiled the following morning at the granite rocks on the front lawn of the Tamworth Regional Entertainment and Conference Centre and can be viewed there year-round.
The announcement comes on the back of news Urban has clinched the prestigious Golden Guitar Award for Top Selling Australian Country Album of the Year with his latest album, High, reports Country HQ.
Released on September 20, 2024, the album has captivated fans across Australia and beyond, solidifying Urban’s legacy as a powerhouse in country music.
High, Urban’s 11th studio album, features 11 tracks, including chart-topping hits like Messed Up As Me and Chuck Taylors, as well as a memorable duet with Lainey Wilson on Go Home W U.
The album has enjoyed 16 weeks in the ARIA Top 20 Australian Country Albums chart, holding the coveted #1 spot as of January 13, 2025.
The recognition is based on ARIA chart data and award eligibility criteria, honouring High as the top-selling Australian country album for the calendar year 2024.
The other stand-out albums rounding out the top five include Troy Cassar-Daley’s Between The Fires, Kasey Chambers’ Backbone, Casey Barnes’ Mayday, and Lily Grace’s Old Enough to Know Better.
Ross praised Urban’s accomplishment.
“High is an incredibly versatile album showcasing Keith Urban’s exceptional talent as a singer, songwriter, and musician,” he said.
The 53rd Golden Guitar Awards will take place on Saturday, January 25, during the Tamworth Country Music Festival, the largest country music event in the Southern Hemisphere.
The Tamworth Regional Entertainment and Conference Centre event boasts a star-filled line-up of performers, and presenters and hosts, preceded by the prestigious red-carpet event.
There will be 13 performances on the night, with a mix of some of Australia’s biggest names in country music.
Ross said there is a diverse line-up of exceptional talent for the 2025 show.
“It has been a massive year for country music and it has been wonderful to see so many established and emerging artists excel, whether touring or releasing new music,” Mr Ross said.
“The Golden Guitar Awards is the perfect celebration of this talent and honours the finest in Australasian country music.”
TRC Media Release in conjunction with Country HQ
