Callo takes out Best Male Vocal in Tamworth

Moruya musician Ron ‘Callo’ Callaghan has won Best Male Vocal at the Australian country Music People’s Choice Awards.

In late November Walbunja man ‘Callo’ was invited to sing at presentation night at Tamworth Town Hall on January 22 for the Tamworth Country Music Awards.

All he knew was that he was to perform one 3 minute song, ‘Proud Black Man’ written about racism and walking together as one.

Phil Watts accompanied Callo, travelling 1800km in a non air conditioned car to Tamworth over a week.

It was Callo’s first time in Tamworth.

“It was a massive festival that takes over the streets” said Callo. “The buskers were awesome and I’m definitely open to going back again next year.”

Callo was nominated for Best Song and Best Male Vocal. The People’s Choice Awards are the only major award where anyone can vote for anyone (no finalists)

“Just 20 minutes after I had performed, it came to Best Male Vocal category” said Callo.

“I really wasn’t expecting to win by any means. I already felt like a winner being nominated. It was the first time I have been nominated for anything. ”

Callo started performing 40 years playing rhythm guitar and vocals for ‘Mixed Relations’ but took a lot of time off, going 15 years without performing.

“When kids grew up, I started back at the music to have a bit of fun” he said. “I only started recording for the last 4- 5years. I made a few CDs but mostly gave them away.”

However, 18 months ago Callo started producing and going through a publisher Blue Shamrock Music.

Callo said he will be releasing a new song in coming days – ‘Friend of mine’, recorded last year, written about people who have been a bit lost in life.

He also has a new Film clip produced by Afterglow Productions.

Callo has a unique vibrato voice and has kept crowds captivated with his rhythmic sounds for decades. Callo can perform as a solo artist or with his band, he can play many different styles of music but his heart and soul are felt through his original songs about family, culture and his journey through life.