Last weekend, the shores of Broadbeach came alive with the twang of guitars and the heartwarming melodies of country music as the Groundwater Country Music Festival (CMF) marked its remarkable ten-year milestone. Drawing close to 60 talented artists who delivered over 135 unforgettable live performances, this award-winning festival once again solidified its position as a beloved cultural event on the Gold Coast. Tens of thousands of music enthusiasts gathered to revel in the magic of their favorite country tunes, and amidst this celebration, one standout artist shone brighter than the rest.
The 2023 festival lineup featured some of Australia’s finest country acts, alongside extraordinary international guests. However, it was the homegrown talent, Casey Barnes, who stole the spotlight and secured the prestigious 2023 P&O People’s Choice Award. Remarkably, this wasn’t Casey’s first brush with Groundwater CMF fame, as he had made his debut at the festival back in 2014.
Casey Barnes had previously won hearts and accolades at Groundwater CMF in 2019 when he was the inaugural recipient of the P&O People’s Choice Award. His performance on the Surf Parade Stage last Friday night was nothing short of electrifying, captivating the thousands-strong crowd, which notably included his own family.
Reflecting on his win, Casey Barnes exclaimed, “I am absolutely blown away to take out this year’s P&O People’s Choice Award at Groundwater CMF! 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, in partnership with festival Support Partner P&O Cruises, invited festival-goers to express their love and appreciation by casting their votes for their favorite artists throughout the three-day extravaganza. With a stellar lineup featuring renowned acts like Lee Kernaghan, Amber Lawrence, Adam Harvey & Beccy Cole, The Wolfe Brothers, and the sensational Jackson Dean from the USA, not to mention the local hero Casey Barnes, the race for the People’s Choice Award was fiercely competitive
