Tamworth Awards 2008
The Country Music Association of Australia has reinstated the Australian National Bluegrass Championships after a nine year absence.
The original National Bluegrass Championships had humble beginnings in St. Andrews Hall, Tamworth in 1979. They soon became the most coveted of Australia’s acoustic music awards. You were guaranteed to see Australia’s best pickers, all seeking recognition as the national bluegrass flatpick guitar, mandolin, banjo or fiddle champion.
Over the years the contests attracted huge numbers both in competitors and audience. The majority of the previous winners are now at the forefront of our country music industry. Indeed, many of them performing in Australia’s best bluegrass and country music bands. Some are also playing and supporting many of our major artists and playing on the finest of our Australian bluegrass and country music albums.
The 2008 competitions were held at Wests Tamworth Leagues Club – Diggers , on Wednesday, 23rd January at 1.30pm.
Contestants competed and winners were determined in 4 separate categories; Banjo, Guitar, Fiddle and Guitar. Prizes for the competition included $9,000.00 worth of equipment from Fender Australia. These included a USA handmade Guild guitar valued at just under $4,000.00.
Competition Finalists Were:
Mandolin – Lachie Davidson, Luke Moller & Alex Sommers
Fiddle – Luke Moller, Lachie Davidson & Hamish Davidson
Banjo – Marty Louis, Matilda Sommers, Monz Matsumoto
Flatpick Guitar – Robbie Long, Peter Cooper & Hamish Davidson.
Competition winners were:
Mandolin – Lachie Davidson
Banjo – Martin Louis
Guitar – Robbie Long
Fiddle – Luke Moller
Golden Fiddle Awards :
Best Band – Winner- Davidson Brothers Band
Best Fiddle Composition – Davidson Brothers
Submitted from Tamworth by Maurie Bull for the Australian Bluegrass Blog.
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