Last night the 32nd annual ARIA Awards were held in Sydney with a plethora of highlights.
There was not a dry eye in the house when Aussie legend Paul Kelly presented another Aussie legend, Kasey Chambers, with her Hall of Fame induction award. In a moving poem, he addressed Kasey's authenticity, incredible talent as a songwriter and her ability to connect with everyone she meets both professionally and personally.
Kasey's speech reinforced his words, attributing her attitude to the advice her musical hero (her Dad, Bill Chambers) gave her years ago - "Just don't be a dickhead."
In a brilliant collaborative live performance with Missy Higgins, Amy from Sheppard and Kate Miller Heidke of her smash hit from 2001, "Pretty Enough" moving into 2017's "Ain't No Little Girl", Kasey showcased just how far she has come as an artist who battles with insecurity but has triumphed with the strength that comes with age and being a mother. She said "I still have days when I look in the mirror and say 'Am I not pretty enough' - but now my answer is 'Who gives a f#ck'." In true Kasey form, she had the entire crowd in the palm of her hand with her humility and humour.
Other highlights on the night included Jimmy Barnes winning the Best Original Soundtrack for Working Class Boy, a moving orchestrated tribute to Gurrumul and surprise appearances from rock royalty Steve Kilbey, Sir Bob Geldof and Richard Marx who all presented awards. Keith Urban was a fine host who rounded off the show with a medley of his hits joined by pop artist and Album of The Year winner, Amy Shark.
The full list of winners can be found here.
