Over 135 live shows from close to 60 artists lit up Broadbeach as Groundwater Country Music Festival (CMF) celebrated ten years of country music on the Gold Coast. The award-winning festival saw tens of thousands of music fans coming together to watch their favourite artists and share a love of country music. One performance, by one standout artist was voted by fans as best in show!
On the 2023 lineup were some of the Australia’s best and most loved country acts plus some incredible international guests but it was local sensation Casey Barnes, who was announced as the winner of the 2023 P&O People’s Choice Award. Ironically, Casey got his first big break playing at Groundwater CMF (formerly Broadbeach Country Music Festival) in 2014.
This is the second time Casey Barnes has won the hearts of fans at Groundwater CMF having been the recipient of the inaugural P&O People’s Choice Award in 2019.
His performance, personality and passion ignited the Surf Parade Stage last Friday night captivating the crowd of thousands, that included his own family.
“I am absolutely blown away to take out this year's P&O People's Choice Award at Groundwater CMF!” said Casey Barnes. “We were only saying yesterday that Friday night's show easily will go down as one of my absolute favourites of my career to date... it was such a special night. There's nothing better than a hometown crowd and it was even more special to have my entire family there too. A huge thank you to all the fans who voted and have supported this amazing festival over the last 10 years and a massive congrats to Mark Duckworth and the entire team on another incredible event!”
Groundwater CMF, along with the festival’s Support Partner P&O Cruises, invited festival goers to show their love and appreciation by voting for their favourite artist across the three-day festival. With an epic lineup including Lee Kernaghan, Amber Lawrence, Adam Harvey & Beccy Cole, The Wolfe Brothers, USA sensation Jackson Dean and of course Gold Coast local Casey Barnes it was always going to be a tight race to the finish line.
“The P&O People’s Choice Award has become a popular part of the Groundwater CMF experience, with thousands of entries coming in throughout the festival,” said Mark Duckworth, Festival Director. Casey has been a festival favourite for some time, so it doesn’t surprise me that he has taken out this fan-nominated award for the second time. Casey’s headline show this year was a lot of fun, drawing huge crowds and the band were on fire!”
2023 has been a continuation of wins for Casey Barnes, having picked up Golden Guitar Award wins for Album of the Year and Top Selling Album of the Year for his latest album, Light It Up along with the APRA Award for Most Performed Country Work and the 2022 ARIA Award for Best Country Album. Now with a second P&O People’s Choice Award under his belt there seems to be no stopping this local sensation who is now also making major inroads in the US.
Casey is not the only winner, one very lucky voter has won a holiday for two onboard P&O Cruises’ Country Music Cruise, departing from Brisbane on 30 November 2024.
“We are delighted to have once again joined forces with Groundwater Country Music Festival to celebrate Australia’s remarkable country music talent,” said Ryan Taibel, Vice President Sales & Partnerships of P&O Cruises Australia. “While all performances throughout the festival were incredible, Casey Barnes sung just the right tune, winning fans’ hearts, and votes. From the entire P&O Cruises team, thank you for all who voted and congratulations Casey on receiving this year’s People’s Choice Award.”
Groundwater CMF returns to the Gold Coast from 18-20 October 2024 ready to bring music lovers yet another huge three days of the best of Australian country music and no doubt some more incredible international acts.
Groundwater CMF shares it success with its 2023 Sponsor Family – City of Gold Coast, Tourism and Events Queensland, P&O Cruises, Gold Coast Airport, Clean Vibes, EVENTelec, KIX Country, 102.9 Hot Tomato, the Yugambeh Region Aboriginal Corporation Alliance (YRACA) and our Charity Partner Drought Angels.
Groundwater CMF is supported by the Queensland Government via Tourism and Events Queensland and is a feature on the It’s Live! in Queensland events calendar.
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY
Experience Gold Coast acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we are situated, the Kombumerri families of the Yugambeh Language Region.
We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging, and recognise their continuing connections to the lands, waters and their extended communities throughout Southeast Queensland.