Tasmanian country band The Wolfe Brothers have claimed five Golden Guitar trophies at the 54th annual Australian Country Music Awards in Tamworth, bringing their career total to 15 wins.
The band swept multiple categories on Saturday night, including the prestigious Toyota Album of the Year for their record Australian Made.
Tom Wolfe, who fronts the band alongside his brother Nick, said the wins were “above and beyond anything we ever expected.”
“We were nominated for eight Golden Guitars, and we walked away with five, which is just unbelievable,” he told Pulse.
The duo also secured Contemporary Album of the Year, Heritage Song, Group and Duo of the Year and Vocal Collaboration of the Year with Zac & George for their track How Many One More Times.
Wolfe said the Australian-made theme was deliberate amid what he described as an unprecedented country music boom, largely driven by international acts.
“Nick and I just sort of looked at this as the best thing we can do,” he said.
“What we can do is be authentic to us and ourselves and really try and wave that Australian flag and champion Australian music.”
He said Australia had world-class songwriters and performers who deserved global recognition.
“It’s my belief that we’ve got the best stuff here,” Wolfe said. “Wouldn’t it be amazing to see more Australian acts take over the world.”
The brothers are heading to the United States in March for a songwriting trip and plan to announce an Australian tour soon.
Wolfe said modern technology meant the possibilities for getting music to audiences were “honestly endless.”
The Hobart based musician said he hoped Tasmanians were proud of their success, saying they take great pride in calling the state home.
“We’ve had the opportunities to live in other parts of the world and we choose to live here because we consider it the best place in the world,” Wolfe said.
He pointed to Saturday’s sold-out Foo Fighters concert in Hobart as proof Tasmania could host major international acts.
“We can do it all down here and host the world’s biggest rock band,” he said. “Tassie’s got everything and more.”
Wolfe said the thought of his band one day performing at Hobart’s incoming Macquarie Point Stadium would be “a dream come true.”
Speaking to Pulse as he arrived at Hobart Airport on Sunday night, Wolfe said he was was heading home to celebrate with his kids after the awards ceremony.
“They had a FaceTime this morning and they’re very excited that Dad’s bringing home some golden guitars,” he said.
