Music graduate named Best New Talent at Country Music Awards
The remarkable rise of Western Sydney University Bachelor of Music graduate Christie Lamb has been officially recognised, after she was named Best New Talent at the Tamworth Country Music Festival.
The 23-year-old Campbelltown resident was handed a prestigious Golden Guitar award at the star studded Tamworth Country Music Association of Australia Awards on Saturday night. Christie was one of only two women to win an award on the evening, and the only independent artist.
Christie says her whirlwind journey from busker to rising star is only just starting to sink in.
"I'd been travelling to Tamworth for ten years to play my songs on the street and see my favourite artists, and to now be sharing the stage with them is an amazing feeling," she says.
"What made it even more special is the Best New Artist Award was announced by Aussie music icon Lee Kernaghan, who I've been touring the country with for the Songs and the Stories Tour. It's still pretty surreal, but it's starting to sink in now I'm back home and the Golden Guitar award is sitting on my piano."
Christie studied a Bachelor of Music at Western Sydney University from 2010 to 2012, and managed to juggle her studies with an increasingly hectic touring schedule.
"During the last year of my degree I was touring Australia with rock legend Jon English, which forced me to make some sacrifices. I still remember sitting on the edge of parties finishing my assignments on the laptop," she says.
"I really wanted my degree, and I'm proud of having completed my studies. It shows that if you want something hard enough, and are prepared to work for it, you can achieve your dreams."
Ends
27 January 2016
Latest News

Western Sydney University paving the way with recycled concrete product
Western Sydney University is paving the way with leading research into recycled concrete products that can aid in the reduction of construction waste.

Western Sydney University research reveals diet of endangered northern hairy-nosed wombat
Researchers from Western Sydney University have uncovered the secret eating habits of one of the world’s most endangered animals.

Western Sydney University is going global to unlock new opportunities for paramedicine students
Western Sydney University paramedicine students are crossing global borders in a bid to gain more experience and specialised skills while working in multi-cultural environments.
Mobile options: