By Jessica Anstice
Berwick’s Andrew Swift, the Alt Country/Americana rising star has been given the nod from the country music industry for his album, Call Out For The Cavalry, picking up four 2019 Golden Guitar finalist nominations.
Mr Swift has been nominated for Alt Country Album of the Year, New Talent of the Year, Male Artist of the Year and Vocal Collaboration of the Year for his latest single, Fire and Ice featuring multi-award-winning artist, Catherine Britt.
At the beginning of the year, Mr Swift set himself a goal to work as hard as he could in hope that he might receive a Golden Guitar nomination.
“Whether it happened or not, it was a great goal to get myself to stay driven with the release of my album,” he said.
“I had to wipe away a few little tears when my name was read out for the Male Artist of the Year category.”
Mr Swift said, “The thought of getting a nomination was great motivation for me to work as hard as I could this year.
“To hear my name announced four times was incredible.
“I’m absolutely stoked and I want to thank everyone for all their support.”
The talented artist was born in Berwick and has lived there for the last 15 years or so. He still performs in the area.
“Not so much in Berwick as unfortunately there aren’t any original live music venues, however I do perform at things like council run charity events or the Berwick Show,” he said.
“I do play up the hill on occasion though at the Skylark Room in Upway. That’s where I launched my album earlier this year.”
Mr Swift said the Berwick community has “most definitely supported me over the years”.
“I cut my teeth on playing covers at the Berwick Pub or Central Hotel in Beaconsfield,” he said.
“I probably would never have gone to the Tamworth Country Music Festival if it wasn’t for City of Casey Cr Wayne Smith and Bob Halsall who had a show on Casey Radio.
“They encouraged me to showcase in Tamworth on behalf of the community and that was my first taste of Tamworth.”
