Golden Gig Gets A Boost With Golden Girl, Amber Lawrence

Five-time Golden Guitar Award winner, Amber Lawrence is set to give contestants of the 2023 Golden Gig, sponsored by Macca’s talent search a helping hand through her new role as Golden Gig ambassador.

The 2022 ARIA nominated artist will take on a mentor role for next year’s competition at the 2023 Toyota Country Music Festival, Tamworth to help foster the next generation of country music artists.

Toyota Country Music Festival manager, Barry Harley says this is a once in a lifetime opportunity for up-and-coming stars.

“Amber Lawrence is a highly talented and experienced artist that continues to inspire. She was recently nominated for a 2022 ARIA award and she’s up for five Golden Guitar Awards in 2023,” he said. “And we are thrilled that she will now be sharing her wisdom and advice with the next batch of country stars.”

The ambassador role will see Lawrence provide advice and guidance to 2023 Golden Gig participants as they prepare to take to the Macca’s stage during the January event and the winners of each division will also receive one-on-one mentoring sessions as part of their prize package.

The 2022 Golden Gig winner will also be invited to open Lawrence’s main 2023 festival show on 20 January at Blaze’s Showroom.

Lawrence says she’s excited about the new role and hopes her advice can encourage young artists to further their career as musicians.

“I’m very honoured to be an ambassador for a such a great grass roots competition, my first start in Tamworth came via a talent search, and I wouldn’t be here without that initial opportunity,” she said. “I’m excited for the experience that the Golden Gig gives young artists, and I'm looking forward to sharing what I’ve learnt in the years since I first arrived in Tamworth.”

The 2023 Golden Gig, sponsored by Macca’s competition will see plenty of prizes up for grabs, with first place of the senior division (13 to 17 years) receiving a scholarship to the Country Music Association of Australia’s Junior Academy, valued at $3,300, while the winner of the 12 years and under division will walk away with $500 cash. Both winners will also receive additional prizes thanks to Yamaha and Capitol Music. 

Second and third place of each division will also receive cash prizes and a voucher from Capitol Music.  

Diana Grosmann, Market Director for NSW & ACT, McDonald’s Australia, said, “The Golden Gig, sponsored by Macca’s, provides a fantastic opportunity for the next generation of country music artists to gain industry exposure and learn from the best in the business. We are excited to partner with country music superstar Amber Lawrence as Golden Gig ambassador and can’t wait to see what she brings to the talent search.”

The Golden Gig, sponsored by Macca’s is open to any musician 17 years and under. It is FREE to register for the competition, with those taking part invited to perform on the Macca’s Stage during the 2023 Toyota Country Music Festival in Tamworth, which will run from 13-22 January. 

Anyone wishing to register can do so via the Toyota Country Music Festival website.

The Tamworth Country Music Festival will celebrate 51 years in 2023 and mark a return to its traditional 10-day timeslot in January. It is recognised as the largest and longest country music festival in Australia and the Southern Hemisphere and is a cornerstone summer celebration that sees hundreds of thousands of people converge on Tamworth in North West NSW.  

Held over ten days in January, the Festival boasts hundreds of artists and thousands of shows, including the iconic Country Music Awards of Australia, commonly known as the Toyota Golden Guitar Awards, which are the only industry affiliated country music awards in Australia and the biggest celebration of Australian country music talent.  

The 51st Tamworth Country Music Festival will be held from Friday, 13 to Sunday, January 22, 2023, and the Toyota 51st Golden Guitar Awards will be held on Saturday, January 21, 2023.