Country music star Raechel Whitchurch says her time in Broken Hill has played an instrumental part in her career that has now led to prestigious award nominations.
After her debut album Finally Clear went number one on the ARIA Australian Country Album charts, the Broken Hill-born singer/songwriter is now in contention to win two Golden Guitars.
The former local, who now lives in Parkes NSW, said it is a “pretty amazing” feeling to be nominated for the awards among some of the nation’s top artists.
“To be in the top five for my categories is really a win for me,” Raechel said.
“Of course, taking home a Golden Guitar would be incredible, but I’m just excited that I, a country girl from Broken Hill, gets to have her name up there with so many well-known Australian artists.”
Presented by Tamworth Regional Council and the Country Music Association of Australia, the Golden Guitar awards celebrates excellence in genre.
Raechel was shortlisted for ‘New Talent of the Year’ and ‘Traditional Country Album of the Year’.
She has used memories from the Sliver City to produce a lot of her hits, including a track titled ‘My Father’ off her number one album.
“My dad used to be a mail contractor in Broken Hill, delivering mail to station owners in the region, and he used to take us along to open the gates,” Raechel said.
“When I was writing My Father, I was deeply inspired by that time, driving down an old dirt road with my dad.”
The single has been streamed over 250,000 times on Spotify and spent nine weeks on The Music Network Country Hot 50 airplay charts, peaking at number nine.
Raechel’s love for country music was birthed at the young age of eight.
She can remember playing for inmates at the local jail with her grandfather Pastor Doug Lee and travelling Australia to play in her family band, The Lees, while home-schooling.
No stranger to tour life, the talented artist will be on tour with fellow country musician Adam Harvey.
They are set to perform live in Broken Hill in the new year, which Raechel said will be a special moment.
“This will be the first time since I released my album that I’ll get to play the songs in Broken Hill,” she said.
“It feels like it has come full circle, getting to come back and celebrate the achievements of the last few years with the people who were there in the very beginning.”
The show will take place at The Broken Hill Musicians Club on Saturday, 19 March 2022.
For tickets, visit www.ticketebo.com.au and search for Raechel Whitchurch.
