Golden Guitars confirm 2021 event & new format

The country music Golden Guitars have confirmed the 2021 awards night will go ahead as a live event on Saturday, January 23 but with significant changes in format.

The event will be hosted by Ashleigh Dallas and Blake O'Connor and take place at the Tamworth Regional Entertainment and Conference Center in a more intimate cabaret design setting with attendees limited to music industry executives.

Winner announcements and live performances will be made on stage with crosses to those who can't make it in person.

"As we worked towards planning the 2021 awards, both operationally and fiscally, it became clear that a live presence here in Tamworth was precisely what the industry needed.

"It is the perfect way for Tamworth to demonstrate its support for Australia’s country music artists in what has been an incredibly tumultuous year."

"By having artists and industry physically in the room, they can present, perform, accept awards, and support each other’s recording excellence over the last year. "

"While audiences will not be able to witness the atmosphere at TRECC, they will be able to experience the sensational show via the online stream." Said executive producer Peter Ross.

The announcement comes as the CMAA records a record number of entries in their Song of the Year, Single of the Year, Video of the Year, and New Talent of the Year categories.

"That is reflective of country music’s resurgence in recent years and it’s new state of omnipresence."

What is patently obvious is that music is vital in our pandemic-hit world, and country music will always rise to the top no matter the difficult circumstances the arts industry finds itself in." Said CMAA chair Dan Biddle.

For new breaking news from CountryTown, check out here. And again, Golden Guitars are confirmed for 2021.