Countrytown AwardsCLICK HERE TO VOTE NOW AND WIN TICKETS TO CMC ROCKS 2026
After a massive inaugural year in 2025, the Countrytown Awards are back for 2026, this year presented by Chris Stapleton’s Traveller Whiskey!
Voting is NOW OPEN across ten categories as we search for the year’s biggest achievers in country music, and YOU decide who receives the accolades.
The 2026 nominations are led by Hayley Jensen with a massive five nods, with James Johnston, Lane Pittman, Max Jackson, Wade Forster and The Wolfe Brothers hot on her heels with four each.
First-time nominees include last years’ host Andrew Swift, Austin Mackay, Briana Dinsdale, Caitlyn Shadbolt, Fanny Lumsden, Jake Whittaker, Josie, KINGSWOOD, Lewis Love, Mack Geiger, Piper Butcher, The Pleasures, Sons of Atticus, Sweet Talk, Tom Curtain, Tori Darke, Travis Collins and Zac Cross Band.
On the festival front, The Bend Classic, Howlin’ Country and Strummingbird are making their nominations debut expanding the Countrytown Awards family in its second year.
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The Countrytown International award, given to the best international artist to have toured Australia in 2025 brings together Chris Stapleton, Cody Johnson, Jelly Roll, Kelsea Ballerini, LeAnn Rimes, Luke Combs, Max McNown, Megan Moroney, Shaboozey and Tyler Childers, showing the epic talent we had down under last year.
Finalists for the big day will be announced on March 16 before the exclusive awards lunch on March 19 in Brisbane with Australia’s biggest artists and industry celebrating a big year.
And YOU can win your way to the awards to rub shoulders with the stars by voting right here on Countrytown. Not only will your votes impact your favourite artists, but you’ll go into the draw to win a double pass to CMC Rocks QLD this March.
Last year’s awards were massive, with James Johnston taking away the big one, Entertainer of the Year and John Williamson receiving the inaugural ‘Legend’ award, with the trophy presented by his good mate Lee Kernaghan.
With fans and industry kicking around with attendees including fellow winners Kaylee Bell, The Wolfe Brothers, Lane Pittman and performers including Johnston, Kashus Culpepper, Homegrown Trio, Tori Forsyth and many more, the afternoon cemented the Countrytown Awards as the year’s hottest and rarest ticket.
Voting is now open at countrytown.com/awards
2026 COUNTRYTOWN AWARDS NOMINEES
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
Casey Barnes
Fanny Lumsden
Hayley Jensen
James Johnston
Kaylee Bell
Lane Pittman
Max Jackson
Taylor Moss
The Wolfe Brothers
Wade Forster
FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Amber Lawrence
Amy Sheppard
Bella Mackenzie
Caitlyn Shadbolt
Hayley Jensen
Kaylee Bell
Max Jackson
Rachael Fahim
Sara Berki
Tori Darke
MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Andrew Swift
Brad Cox
Casey Barnes
Dylan Wright
James Johnston
Keith Urban
Lane Pittman
Morgan Evans
Travis Collins
Wade Forster
GROUP OR DUO OF THE YEAR
The Buckleys
Homegrown Trio
KINGSWOOD
The Pleasures
Sweet Talk
Sons of Atticus
The Wet Whistles
The Wolfe Brothers
Zac & George
Zac Cross Band
BREAKTHROUGH ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Abbie Ferris
Austin Mackay
Briana Dinsdale
Jake Whittaker
Josie
Lewis Love
Mack Geiger
Piper Butcher
Tyla Rodrigues
The Wet Whistles
SONG OF THE YEAR
Casey Barnes - ROUGH AROUND THE EDGES
Hayley Jensen - Country Soul
James Johnston - BACK IN THE DAY
Lane Pittman - Man I'm Turning Out To Be
Max Jackson - 1990 Somethin'
Rachael Fahim - Too Damn Hot
Sara Berki - Looks Like
Tori Darke - My Boots Made Me Do It
Tyla Rodrigues - Hot & Heavy
The Wolfe Brothers - Australian Made
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Amy Sheppard - Born To Be Country
Andrew Swift - Lucky Stars
Brad Cox - Endemic Intelligence in Multiple Dimensions
Hayley Jensen - Country Soul
James Johnston - WHERE YOU’LL FIND ME
Kaylee Bell - Cowboy Up
Tom Curtain - Here’s To You
Travis Collins - The Band Album
Wade Forster - Gooseneck Party
The Wolfe Brothers - Australian Made
INTERNATIONAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Chris Stapleton
Cody Johnson
Jelly Roll
Kelsea Ballerini
LeAnn Rimes
Luke Combs
Max McNown
Megan Moroney
Shaboozey
Tyler Childers
AUSTRALIAN TOUR OF THE YEAR
Hayley Jensen - Country Soul Tour
Kasey Chambers - Backbone Tour
Keith Urban - HIGH AND ALIVE World Tour
KINGSWOOD - The Midnight Mavericks Tour
Lane Pittman - Fresh Country Tour
Lee Kernaghan - Boys From The Bush The Concert Tour
Max Jackson - Little More Country Tour
Rachael Fahim - Dance Around It Tour
Sara Berki - Fool Me Twice Tour
Wade Forster - The Dying Breed Tour
FESTIVAL OF THE YEAR
The Bend Classic
CMC Rocks
Deni Ute Muster
Howlin’ Country
Groundwater Country Music Festival
Gympie Music Muster
Ridin’ Hearts
Savannah In The Round
Strummingbird
Tamworth Country Music Festival
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Voting is OPEN NOW and closes Saturday, February 28 at 5pm AEDT.
The 2026 Countrytown Awards
Presented by Traveller Whiskey
We’d like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our Gold Industry partners - Island Records/Universal Music Australia, Live Nation, MGM Distribution, Sony Music Australia, Spotify, TEG Live, Warner Music Australia.
We also gratefully acknowledge our Silver Industry partners ABC Music, EMPRE, G.Y.R.O., Wheelhouse Agency
And finally, we’d like to extend our warmest thanks to CMC Rocks for their continued support.
