I was never going to go to Tamworth this year, 2024. I was invited to some showcases a few months ago and declined because I really didn't want to drive up there from Sydney, pay ridiculous amounts for accomodation, trudge all over town with my guitars and other gear. I just didn't want to do it. I've been before and it was exhausting.
Then I entered a few songs in the Tamworth Songwriters Association Awards, and a few songs made it to the semi finals. I still didn't want to go.
Along comes a message to tell me that the Menopause Blues song was in the finals.
I still didn't want to go, I didn't think I had a hope in hell of winning because of the calibre of the people I was competing with.
Friends and colleagues got on my case insisting that I go, so I did a little fund raiser, and got enough to pay my accomodation and travel expenses. At this point I was still struggling with the whole idea, but I decided to make the effort ( I even bought a cute dress, a very short dress), still convinced I wouldn't win.
I wandered around town running into people I know all over the place, had a sing with some dear
friends, and thought the whole thing was a rather good networking opportunity.
On the night of the awards, I sat half way down the room, met some lovely ladies that I sat with and had a few drinks.
Then...the moment came and the presenter said "Menopause Blues" I don't know what happened from then until I sat down with the award in my hand. I now know what I said, because I've seen video, and what I said was kind of funny...and I won.
I haven't won a trophy of any sort since I was 9 years old and came second in a Sydney Eisteddfod, way back in the 1970's, so this is a big deal for me.
Since that day just over a week ago, I've been getting offered gigs, musicians have contacted me to let me know if I ever need them, they're available. It's all very surprising.
Really, I'm just having a lot of fun with the whole thing, taking the trophy with me everywhere I go (shoved in my handbag) and taking photos. Am I driving my facebook friends and followers crazy? Probably, but I am so damn chuffed that my funny little blues song about menopause won this prestigious award. I still keep thinking I'm going to get a call to tell me it was a mistake, in the meantime, I'm enjoying the moment.