The inaugural Lighthouse Country Festival set to take place in April 2023 will be a sea of gold with a number of performing artists nominated for Golden Guitar awards.
Across the line up of 12 artists, there are five 2023 Golden Guitar nominees, with a total of 14 nominations between them.
Casey Barnes has also just been awarded the ARIA Award for Country Album of the year.
As well as winning the ARIA Award, Casey is nominated for five Golden Guitars, as is Adam Brand, while Lee Kernaghan is up for two and Travis Collins and McAlister Kemp are in the running for one each.
“I have a huge respect for the Golden Guitars as they are something you work towards for a long time and you don’t take those nominations for granted,” Casey Barnes said.
“To get five is pretty humbling and I’m very grateful that so many people have embraced the new album and got behind it.”
Still walking on cloud nine, Casey said the awards reiterated his decision to continue working hard to write, record and release music and seeing crowds singing his songs back to him was a huge highlight, and one he couldn’t wait to relive at Lighthouse Country in April.
“I can’t wait to play the festival because, at the top of my list is the fact that I lived in Bundaberg for 12 months and did a year at North Bundy High and spent many weekends at Burnett Heads at the beach,” he said.
“I love the area, it is full of great people and I have good memories from the time I spent up there.”
The ARIA Award winner said he had recently been in Bundaberg to play a private show as part of a radio contest and he couldn’t wait to get back for Lighthouse Country, with people asking when he was returning.
“This couldn’t be a better opportunity for me because I often get asked when we’re coming back to Bundaberg,” he said.
“You are not going to find a better location up that way and, the great thing is, there are so many surrounding towns and destinations in that area that I couldn’t think of a better place to book accommodation and spend a weekend. I know a few of my fans are already planning to do that.”
When Casey hits the stage at Lighthouse Country on Sunday, April 30, he’ll have a swag of favourites as well as new songs under his belt, after just returning from Nashville from touring and writing sessions.
As well as top-notch country music, the Lighthouse Rodeo will have plenty of thrills and spills on offer.
Every festival ticket purchased goes in the draw for the chance to win a trip of a lifetime for two people on Big Cat Reality Fishing Charter, valued over $7000.
Lighthouse Country will be held at Burnett Heads over two days, on 29 and 30 April.
Find out more about the festival here.
Other stories: Lighthouse Country music festival announced
