The Australian country music industry is well and truly caught up in Luke O’Shea.
The Cronulla singer-songwriter has earned three finalist nods at the 45th CMAA Country Music Awards of Australia on Saturday for his latest album, Caught Up In The Dreaming.
O’Shea has been nominated as a finalist in the album of the year (for Caught Up In The Dreaming), male artist of the year and heritage song of the year categories.
His heritage song of the year nomination, The Old Man’s Shed, was written with long-time friend John Krsulja and O’Shea said he was humbled by the reception received for his latest work.
“The fact people and my peers have stolen time from their busy lives to listen and connect with the stories and songs on this album that I, and co-producer Benjy Pocock, invested so much of our lives and love into is supremely satisfying and humbling,” he said.
“Sincere thanks go out to all who listened, connected and voted. Your faith in me truly encourages me to keep on keeping on and singing up this remarkable land and the amazing people who live upon it.”
O’Shea is no stranger to the Golden Guitars and could add another three to his collection this weekend.
He won six Golden Guitars between 2013 and 2015, winning Heritage Song of the Year in three consecutive years.
He has also won TIARAs, Southern Stars Awards and Bush Laureates.
Caught Up In The Dreaming celebrates what O'Shea loves about the various indigenous cultures he has explored around the world and the lessons learned by which he lives his life. Each song paints a picture that fills the minds of the listener and takes them on a journey.
O’Shea and Pocock tapped into the reasons they played music and, for the first time, most of the songs are co-written with industry peers and friends including Amber Lawrence, Allan Caswell, Drew McAlister, Dana Hassall and Pete Denahy.
The first single Catch You – a powerful duet with Lawrence – saw them become finalists in last year’s Golden Guitar Awards for vocal collaboration of the year.
It will be a busy time for O’Shea in Tamworth, who has crammed eight shows into a week, starting on January 21.
Details: lukeoshea.com
