Kasey Chambers elevated to the 2018 Australasian Country Music Roll Of Renown in Tamworth
27 January 2018
At the age of only 41 Kasey Chambers may be the youngest person on the Australasian Country Music Roll of Renown but she has already spent most of her life on stage. From the age of 10 when she joined her parents, Bill and Diane Chambers in their Dead Ringer Band, Kasey has been behind a microphone.
Tonight during the 46th Presentations of the Country Music Awards in Tamworth, she became the 51st person to be honoured with the industry's most prestigious Award - The Australasian Country Music Roll of Renown.
In making the presentation, last year's winner, Troy Cassar-Daley, said that Kasey had earned the admiration and respect of both her industry peers and her multitude of fans, all over the world. Time and time again, Troy said, she has demonstrated her extraordinary ability to connect with country and mainstream audiences in both Australia and overseas
In accepting the Award, Kasey paid a special tribute to her parents Bill and Diane and to brother Nash, her long time record producer. "I definitely wouldn't have got to first base without my family and their involvement," she acknowledged.
Born in Mount Gambier on June 4th, 1976, Kasey grew up on the Nullarbor, sharing the music that infused the lives of parents Bill and Diane and brother Nash. Kasey's first solo album, The Captain, released in 1999, was a national sensation, hailed as fresh inspiration for Australian country music. With Nash producing, Kasey has released a string of highly awarded recordings including some with other artists, all featuring her distinctive vocals, powerful lyrics and unique contemporary approach. Acclaimed in Australia, she has also gathered a large following in USA.
At the Awards tonight Kasey's album "Dragonfly" won a Golden Guitar for Alt Country Album of the Year (to add to her current tally of 26 (14 individual and 12 shared Golden Guitars). "Dragonfly" also took out the ARIA Award for Best Country Album in November 2017.
The Australasian Country Music Roll of Renown was launched when The Father of Australian Country Music, Tex Morton was honoured in Tamworth in January 1976. The Roll itself comprises large bronze plaques mounted on a cluster of giant granite boulders in front of the Tamworth Regional Entertainment Centre. During the year thousands of tourist come to pay homage to their country music heroes who include revered icons like Slim Dusty, Buddy Williams, Joy and Heather McKean, Tommy and Phil Emmanuel and Jimmy Little.
