Sebastian Calderon, Murray Pioneer

A local country music artist will embark on a world-wide journey through the United States and Europe, after being nominated for more than 19 industry awards.

Loxton’s Christine Clifford has continued to showcase the Riverland’s country music heritage, being named a finalist in numerous categories at three major international awards, the International Singer-Songwriters Association Awards (ISSA), Intercontinental Music Awards, and the International Red Carpet Awards Show.

Ms Clifford is making her final preparations for the upcoming trip, which will take her to numerous locations in the United States before the ISSA Awards in Atlanta.

“I am playing in Nashville for a local crowd, alongside radio interviews, and then I’ll travel to Atlanta for the awards, which is amazing, because I am also performing in the afterparty,” Ms Clifford said.

“Then, I’ll come home for two weeks and then back travelling again to the Netherlands for the Red Carpet Awards Show, in which I am nominated, but I will also be performing.

“I’m still pinching myself; I am grateful because it means that my work is recognized.

“I love writing my own songs and performing on the world stage, it’s overwhelming.

“Being there gives me the opportunity to meet a lot of international musicians that I can collaborate with.

For the ISSA Awards in August, Christine is nominated in the International Female of the Year, Entertainer of the Year, Vocalist of the Year, Single of the Year, Songwriter of the Year, Musician of the Year, Emerging Artist, and ISSA Representation of the Year categories.

For the Red Carpet awards in the Netherlands, she is nominated in the Vocalist of the Year, Traditional Original Song, Songwriter of the Year, Collaboration-Songwriter of the Year, Spirit of the West, Best Country Song original, Country Voice of the Year, Musician of the Year, Music video of the Year and Modern Country Original categories.

Ms Clifford started her music career at the age of 28, but her real passion for music started when she learned to play the piano and the guitar as a child.

“I started singing in public at a late age I think, after I came up from Adelaide in 1996 and performed at the Barmera Country Music Talent Quest,” Ms Clifford said.

“I won some awards before, went around the state doing presentations and some interstate performances, with numerous bands, but then life got in the way and I had a musical break for 15 years.

“I was born in Adelaide, but the Riverland is my home. It has brought me my life.

Ms Clifford’s husband Greg, is also a musician, and has supported her career through all the years. As a couple, they decided to return to music a few years back.

“My husband also is a drummer, so he had a break as well apart from doing sound for other bands,” Ms Clifford said.

“Five years ago, we decided to get back into it again, and I’m just blown away with everything.

“I ask myself, at my age. What am I doing? You must take it while it’s there.

“For me, the importance of going to Atlanta, and the Netherlands, is to meet and collaborate with other musicians. Whether I win an award or not, it’s not my main goal.

“I’m very grateful for all of the people that voted and to be a finalist with the ISSA, and even more thankful with the Red Carpet Awards, because there is no voting for that one, it goes straight to judging.”

Ms Clifford recently learned, that she was also nominated for other prestigious American awards.

“Three of my songs have also been nominated and are finalists in the Intercontinental Awards.” She said.

“I found out not too long ago, which came as a shock, but again, I am overwhelmed by the support of the people and the industry. It is a dream.”

Ms Clifford has remained grounded throughout her journey, reminding herself to enjoy every moment and take the best out of every situation.

“I’m pretty grounded because I don’t expect anything, I think that’s what it is,” Ms Clifford said.

“I won’t even write a speech in preparation, because I don’t expect to win. I expect to just collaborate with people and enjoy the moment.

“It is such a great atmosphere, especially with the ISSA, because this year they are having a summit, and we are going to be doing songwriting workshops, listening to keynote speakers and meeting up with industry experts.”

Ms Clifford won the Emerging Artist award at last year’s ISSA Awards.

“The ISSA Awards are a voting award, you get nominated and people vote for you,” Ms Clifford said.

“If you get enough votes, you can become a finalist in each category, and then those finalists go to a judging panel, composed of previous winners and industry professionals.”

Ms Clifford said living in Loxton had provided her a feeling of openness, as opposed to living in a big city.

“I was born in Adelaide and came to the Riverland in 1996,” Ms Clifford said.

“The Riverland inspires me to write, and it inspired one of my favourite songs, called the Overland Corner Hotel Song, due to me being a regular performer there.

“At the moment I have four studio albums out now, of which two were done while living up here and collaborating with musicians around this area as well.

“My guitar was fabricated by Malcolm Rowe, who is very known in the area.

This article appeared in Murray Pioneer, 23 July 2025.