Rod McCormackwas honored Saturday with a prestigiousGolden Guitar Awardfor his song, “Timeless Traveler,” from his acclaimed new Nashville-basedSonic Timberrelease,Fingerprints.
During the CMAA (Country Music Association Australia) Toyota Golden Guitar Awards Australia 2020 held
in Tamworth, New South Wales, McCormack told the audience he was
surprised to win the category, “Coca Cola Instrumental of the Year.”
“I’m
so proud to have even been nominated,” McCormack said. “I’ve produced
and worked with so many artists, but this was the first time I’ve done
my own project. To be recognized like this is very humbling.”
“Timeless
Traveler” is an instrumental romp, showcasing McCormack’s stunning
guitar work and deft interplay with peers Andy Leftwich (mandolin,
fiddle, tenor guitar), Aubrey Haynie (fiddle, mandolin), Dave Pomeroy
(upright bass), Rob Ickes (dobro) and Justin Moses (dobro).
“Bluegrass is the music that inspires me and is truest to my heart,” McCormack said, pointing to influencesNew Grass Revival, Tony Rice, Alison Krauss,
among others. “We have some fine players here in Australia. Still the
music that I’ve always found most compelling and inspiring has always
centered around some of the remarkable acoustic artists in the U.S.”
In
his homeland of Australia, McCormack has produced dozens of
award-winning gold and platinum records and written hundreds of songs
for film and for other artists (including more than 30 Number One Hits).
He has recorded with or toured with the likes ofKeith Urban, Tommy Emmanuel, Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, the Greencardsand more.
Fingerprints was
released in the United States in the fall of 2019 on Nashville-based
Sonic Timber Records. His current single from the album is “Shimmers.”
The
Country Music Association of Australia (CMAA) represents a wide range
of professionals who participate in Australian country music industry.
The Golden Guitar Award is the organization’s top honors ceremony held
annually at the Tamworth Regional Entertainment Centre in Tamworth, New
South Wales, Australia.