Boulia's Ryan Garland wins Golden Guitar Award...
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The small Queensland Outback town of Boulia has claimed country music fame, with one local receiving a Golden Guitar Award from the Tamworth Country Music Festival. Boulia grazier Ryan Garland was recognised for his contribution in writing Six Decks To Darwin, which received the prestigious award of Bush Ballad of the Year. The song was a collaboration alongside recording artist Dean Perrett and writers Kelly and Marion Dixon who all received a Golden Guitar on Saturday January 23. "Dean approached me around March 2020 to write a song about the northern cattle industry and trucking cattle to Darwin for live export," Mr Garland said. "He wanted to make sure everything written was authentic and spot on as possible with all the correct names of the roads. "I was based at Kununurra in Western Australia for two years carting cattle to Darwin for the export boats, so I shared my history and experience carting cattle through that area." Six Decks to Darwin was one of five finalists in the running for Bush Ballad of the Year. Mr Garland said he was not prepared to win the award. "Winning is still sinking in, it was one of those things you don't expect and then it happens and it all seems so surreal and a blur at the moment," he said. "It was pretty crazy going down to Tamworth for the award ceremony. I have never been there or to the festival before, so even though the main festival wasn't on due to coronavirus restrictions, they still had the awards night. "Sitting around all the industry leaders and musicians was pretty surreal. Also being on stage with The McClymonts was great. They are up there with my favourite artists, they are some great girls with good character and sense of humour." Mr Garland said he was taking the Golden Guitar home to Boulia and not letting it out of his sight. "I was thinking of making a timber frame to put it in at home, but might put it in a museum," he joked. "I don't think there has ever been a Golden Guitar in Boulia so it's a small claim to fame. "Before this I had never done any songwriting other then singing along bored in the truck, but nothing ever left the cab. "I would just like to thank Dean for the opportunity, it has been great." READ ALSO: Chance of second Gulf cyclone of the season this week.
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January 25 2021 - 1:50PM
The small Queensland Outback town of Boulia has claimed country music fame, with one local receiving a Golden Guitar Award from the Tamworth Country Music Festival.
Boulia grazier Ryan Garland was recognised for his contribution in writing Six Decks To Darwin, which received the prestigious award of Bush Ballad of the Year. The song was a collaboration alongside recording artist Dean Perrett and writers Kelly and Marion Dixon who all received a Golden Guitar on Saturday January 23.
"Dean approached me around March 2020 to write a song about the northern cattle industry and trucking cattle to Darwin for live export," Mr Garland said.
"He wanted to make sure everything written was authentic and spot on as possible with all the correct names of the roads.
"I was based at Kununurra in Western Australia for two years carting cattle to Darwin for the export boats, so I shared my history and experience carting cattle through that area."
Six Decks to Darwin was one of five finalists in the running for Bush Ballad of the Year. Mr Garland said he was not prepared to win the award.
"Winning is still sinking in, it was one of those things you don't expect and then it happens and it all seems so surreal and a blur at the moment," he said.
"Sitting around all the industry leaders and musicians was pretty surreal. Also being on stage with The McClymonts was great. They are up there with my favourite artists, they are some great girls with good character and sense of humour."
Ryan Garland has claimed a Golden Guitar for his contribution writing Six Decks To Darwin. Photo supplied.
Mr Garland said he was taking the Golden Guitar home to Boulia and not letting it out of his sight.
"I was thinking of making a timber frame to put it in at home, but might put it in a museum," he joked.
"I don't think there has ever been a Golden Guitar in Boulia so it's a small claim to fame.
"Before this I had never done any songwriting other then singing along bored in the truck, but nothing ever left the cab.
"I would just like to thank Dean for the opportunity, it has been great."