One track on Shane Nicholson’s latest album is called How to Write a Song.

He sings dryly about experiencing love, heartbreak and yearning, then wrapping it all up in melody and playing it in a minor key.

The country singer-songwriter proved he has got the right formula, taking out the top categories at the 50th Golden Guitar Awards in Tamworth on Wednesday night.

Nicholson, known for his raw storytelling songs, won both alt country album of the year and album of the year for Living in Colour.

Winner of the @Toyota_Aus Album of the Year is @ShaneNicholson for Living in Colour#GoldenGuitars pic.twitter.com/P0j3Gaggo0

— Tamworth Country Music Festival (@TCMF_Official) April 20, 2022

His song And You Will Have Your Way was named song of the year and single of the year.

Tamworth local Ashleigh Dallas was crowned best female artist, while her song with Luke O’Shea, Long Way ‘Round, won video of the year.

The winner of the Female Artist of the Year is @ashleighdallas #GoldenGuitars pic.twitter.com/TMutkLEAol

— Tamworth Country Music Festival (@TCMF_Official) April 20, 2022

Country legend Troy Cassar-Daley was voted best male artist and his album The World Today was the top-selling album.

Cassar-Daley has now won a record-breaking 40 Golden Guitar awards over the course of his career, more than Slim Dusty.

A history making win at the 2022 Golden Guitars… Troy Cassar-Daley has now won more GGs than any other artist. #TCMF2022 pic.twitter.com/drC5rBUL8G

— Patrick Bell (@PatrickSBell) April 20, 2022

The Golden Guitars’ executive producer Peter Ross said it was a privilege to bring back the awards, which are a landmark event at the Tamworth Country Music Festival.

The awards have been marred by the pandemic in recent years, and the festival was postponed in January due to rising COVID-19 infections.

Mr Ross said the event was a moment to reflect on the resilience and strength of country music in Australia.

Announcing the 2022 New Talent of the Year is @Darlinghurst for "Where Do We Go"#GoldenGuitars pic.twitter.com/JlDso2teOk

— Tamworth Country Music Festival (@TCMF_Official) April 20, 2022

Major winners

Album of the year: Living in Colour, Shane Nicholson

Alt country album of the year: Living in Colour, Shane Nicholson

Contemporary country album of the year: Kids on Cassette, The Wolfe Brothers

Traditional country album of the year: Songs From Highway One, Adam Harvey

Male artist of the year: Troy Cassar-Daley

Female artist of the year: Ashleigh Dallas

Song of the year: And You Will Have Your Way, Shane Nicholson

Single of the year: And You Will Have Your Way, Shane Nicholson

Top-selling album of the year: The World Today, Troy Cassar-Daley

Winner of the Country Music Capital News Group or Duo of the Year is @Wolfe_Brothers #GoldenGuitars pic.twitter.com/w4c2t0uYY1

— Tamworth Country Music Festival (@TCMF_Official) April 20, 2022

Group or duo of the year: The Wolfe Brothers

Vocal collaboration of the year: South, Troy Cassar-Daley featuring Ian Moss

Bluegrass recording of the year: Black Crow, The Weeping Willows

New Talent of the year: Darlinghurst

-AAP