The Dubbo Dusty Boot Festival may have been cancelled this year, but 14 awards have still been given out to those in the industry.
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Organiser Mal Norton said he wanted to ensure the Dubbo Dusty Boot awards continued to recognise services to country music.
"This year is like no other we have ever seen before. As a result of COVID-19 our boots festival was cancelled but to maintain continuity of the awards and in an effort to put smiles on some faces we decided to announce the winners [last week]," he said.
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The award recipients are: Lance Birrell and Angus Gill, Colin Bussey, Beth Brown, Vickiree Malouney, Paul Grierson, Laura Downing, Peter 'Smokey' Dawson, Sunset Duo, Ben Ransom, Charley Boyter, Cactus Flats Band, Mary G, Allan Walsh and Col Finley.
The were recognised for a variety of achievements from songwriting to keeping the dream alive.
Mr Norton said the awards were started by his dad, Johnny Norton, to honour industry legends.
Mr Norton said his dad wanted to ensure everyone from artists to roadies to ticket sellers were acknowledged.
While the event was cancelled this year, Mr Norton said the 2021 Dubbo Dusty Boots Festival and Awards were already locked in for Friday, June 11 to Sunday June 13.