At the 2026 Country Music Awards of Australia, Kasey Chambers and Shane Nicholson made a remarkable return as collaborators, winning both Song of the Year and Single of the Year for their ballad, The Divorce Song. This heartfelt track marks their first joint creation since their separation in 2013. The duo’s latest achievement adds to their impressive collection of over 40 Golden Guitars, solidifying their status as icons in the Australian country music scene.
During the awards ceremony held in Tamworth, Chambers expressed gratitude towards Nicholson, stating, “I want to thank Shane for this song. You are still one of my favourite singer-songwriters in the entire world.” Her words highlighted the complexity of their relationship, acknowledging the distance that had grown between them after their divorce. Chambers further reflected on the significance of their reunion, noting, “We hadn’t written a song together since the divorce, and it’s really special you took a chance on me.”
Chambers and Nicholson were married in 2005 and share two children. Their musical journey began with a collaborative album released in 2008, which debuted at number one and earned them five Golden Guitars at the 2009 awards. Their partnership continued with a second album in 2012, which won the ARIA Award for Best Country Album.
The process of creating The Divorce Song was notably modern, as Nicholson explained, “The writing of this song we did via text message, so we didn’t tempt fate.” He added that while the actual writing took about an hour, it was a culmination of nearly a decade of experiences.
Chambers also celebrated her solo work, as her album Backbone was awarded the Alt Country Album of the Year. Despite being the most nominated artist of the night with 13 categories, the country-rock duo The Wolfe Brothers dominated the awards, taking home five Golden Guitars, including Album of the Year. Tom Wolfe, one half of the duo, remarked, “I’ve got a mantelpiece, and with this, it will be full,” after winning multiple awards.
In addition, Wade Forster, a rising star at just 27 years old, was recognized as both Male Artist of the Year and New Talent of the Year. Forster, who humorously wore a suit decorated by children at Ronald McDonald House, shared his dedication to his craft, stating, “I worked my ass off for it. I didn’t want to leave a stone unturned and I lived in my car to be able to sit here today—holding two of them.”
The awards ceremony also featured Max Jackson, who won Female Artist of the Year, and Fanny Lumsden, who received the Video of the Year award. The event showcased a vibrant celebration of country music talent and the enduring impact of its artists.
The 2026 Country Music Awards highlighted the ongoing evolution of the genre and the personal stories that resonate within it. The recognition of Chambers and Nicholson, in particular, serves as a reminder of the power of music to heal and connect, even after significant life changes.
