The Wolfe Brothers call for more Australian Made support

The Wolfe Brothers have used their massive haul of accolades at the Tamworth Country Music Festival to call for more support of Australian music and artists.

Nick and Tom Wolfe left Tasmania headed for Tamworth as finalists for eight Golden Guitars and took home five Golden Gongs, an Australian Country Music People’s Choice Award for Group or Duo of the Year, and an induction into the Australian Country Music Hands of Fame.

They won Country Music Capital News Group or Duo of the Year, Heritage Song of the Year for ‘Australian Made’, a song written with Graeme Connors, Collaboration of the Year with Zac and George for ‘How Many More One Times’, and Contemporary Country Album of the Year and Toyota Album of the Year for Australian Made.

“It’s mind-blowing because I’ve seen people nominated for eight before and get one,” he said.

“You don’t know. I sort of thought we might get one or two, but that was just mind-boggling, the number of awards we got… it was just crazy.”

As well as Golden Guitars and a People’s Choice Award, The Wolfe Brothers placed their hands in cement at the Hands of Fame Park, joining generations of artists who have shaped Australian country music.

“We came up to Tamworth with Mum and Dad 20 years ago, and I can remember going there (to Hands of Fame Park) with Mum and Dad and having a look and reading the names, and the fact that we’re there is crazy,” Tom said.

“It’s a real honour.”

During their acceptance speeches for their five Golden Guitars, Tom and Nick called for more support of Australian artists and the music they are creating on playlists and charts.

“We need to keep making sure we put that message out there,” he said.
“So that says to me we’re hearing less Australian country on the radio.”

He highlighted a decline in Australian representation on major charts as a concern.

“I mean, last year in the Australian country radio charts, Country Town Top 50, there was only two Australian artists in that top 50 for the year and I think the year before it was 11 or 12,” Tom said.

“And on some of the playlists, we’re seeing fewer Australian artists on major playlists.”

When accepting Toyota Country Album of the Year, Nick also highlighted the talent we have on offer and the role Tamworth plays in that.

“I don’t think there’s ever been a more important time for Tamworth to be a thing,” he said.

“We’re in the middle of a moment where country music is really big in Australia, led by a lot of internationals and it’s never been more important that we champion and celebrate the incredible Australian country music artists that we have.”

Tom said the international boom of country music should also lift Australian artists up.

“A rising tide lifts all ships and that would be so good for the genre,” he said.

One change he believes would make an immediate difference is ensuring Australian artists are included on all Australian tours by international artists.

 “Let’s give them a platform,” he said.

“That’s something I’m really passionate about.”

The Wolfe Brothers’ own success, he believes, came from celebrating their identity rather than chasing trends.

“We wanted to tell our stories in a modern Australian way,” he said.

“We just sort of think the best thing, the best way for us to be our most authentic selves is to do what we did. I think that’s what maybe resonated with people.”

As they settle back in at home, The Wolfe Brothers said the recognition, from industry and fans, was something he and his family would never take lightly.

“We do this because we love it,” he said. Tom is back at work on their family’s Wolfe’s Berry Farm, where they’ve decided to close the physical store to focus on the farm itself and online sales, with berries and products being sent as far as Darwin from their base near Longley in Tasmania.