Troy Cassar-Daley has surpassed country music legend Slim Dusty to now hold the most Golden Guitar Awards.
At the 50th Golden Guitar Awards in Tamworth on Wednesday, Cassar-Daley took home three awards – bringing his total to 40.
Cassar-Daley now has two more Golden Guitars than Slim Dusty and Lee Kernaghan, who both hold 38 each.
Accepting his award, Cassar-Daley said he hadn’t realised he was close to breaking Dusty and Kernaghan’s record.
"I've never counted Golden Guitars until I heard that," he said.
"I remember having a conversation with Slim years ago about making sure you grow as an artist — even if you're in country music, you need to continue to grow.
"I can't believe that Slim, myself, Lee are all on the same thing. It's very weird."
Nominated for 8 awards, Cassar-Daley took home Male Artist of the Year, Top Selling Album of the Year with his 2021 release The World Today, and Vocal Collaboration of the Year for his duet single South with Ian Moss.
Australian country music legend Troy Cassar-Daley. Source: Edelman Australia
The World Today was a covid-induced creation, a project that got Cassar-Daley through isolation and the more difficult times in the pandemic.
Opening up about the struggles he had through it all, Cassar-Daley thanked his manager Chris O’Hearn for his support.
"This fella encouraged me to get counselling two months ago and it's the best thing I've done in five years," he said on stage.
"Good friends will do that."
Whilst Cassar-Daley’s Golden Guitar tally sits at 40, Moss’ collected his first for their collaboration on South.
Whilst Moss wasn’t at the event, Cassar-Daley paid homage to his good friend.
"Unfortunately, Ian Moss couldn't be here tonight," Mr O'Hearn said.
"I'm sure he would like to thank his manager, so I'd like to thank me."
The pair are currently travelling across the country with the Together Alone Tour.
Other winners included Meanjin singer-songwriter Shane Howard who took home 5 awards and Tamworth local Ashleigh Dallas who won Female Artist of the Year and Video of the Year.
The Golden Guitar Award ceremony was part of the iconic Tamworth Country Music Festival, which is taking place later this year in response to the pandemic.
