Local talent is shining far beyond the borders of the Western Plains, with two local talents taking home coveted Golden Guitar awards at the Tamworth Country Music Festival. 

Coonamble’s Max Jackson joined the ranks of iconic country artists after taking home her first Golden Guitar, while Greg and Sara Storer returned to the stage, this time with Greg’s daughters Bonnie and Pip, as family band SToReR. 

“Honestly, it’s still not sunk in,” said Max Jackson, who took home New talent of the Year.

Max was also nominated for Female Artist of the Year, after a big year as winner of the 2022 Star Maker competition, the release of an EP, and signing a record deal with ABC Music. 

“It’s really special to be recognised for my devotion to country music all these years,” she said.

On the night itself, Max was spotted in her new iconic all denim outfit, made entirely by her mum Kim Foodey. 

"Mum made the entire outfit, all the way down to my handbag." 

"I was wearing some of my grandparents' jewelry as well which was extra special."

A super-excited double-denimed Max Jackson celebrates her Golden Guitar. PHOTO SUPPLIED

Nearby, Warren’s Bonnie, Pip, Greg, and Sara Storer are soaking up the win with their band SToReR taking home Best Bush Ballad for song Dust Kids. 

“We were mic’d up and had our guitars on just about ready to go out on stage to sing Dust Kids and then our awards category came on,” Greg Storer said. 

“We assumed we hadn’t won because we were standing out near the stage…it was quite a surprise.”

The song Dust Kids was an ode to an ‘explosion of kids’ on the Storer’s road, all born in a long period of drought. 

“We thought, how much dust have these babies been sucking in? It’s a little tribute to them, and all bush kids,” Greg said. 

SToReR - Bonnie, Greg, Sara and Pip - perform Dust Kids on stage in Tamworth Country Music Festival 2024. IMAGE: Sara Storer

The family band was also nominated for Traditional Country Album of the Year. 

Greg and Sara took home a Golden Guitar for their work together in 2010, with Sara Storer taking home another 20 in her solo career, breaking a record for the amount of Golden Guitars won in one year in 2004. 

In 2024, Max Jackson is looking forward to the release of a new album, while SToReR will begin a project that tells the tales of Warren locals through songs.