New Zealand Country Music Icon Jodi Vaughan Cemented In History With Induction Into Tamworth Hands Of Fame Australia

Australian-born country music legend Jodi Vaughan has officially taken her place among the greats of the industry. In a moving ceremony held today at the Tamworth Country Music Festival, Vaughan was inducted into the Australian Country Music Hands of Fame, cementing her legacy with handprints in concrete at Hands of Fame Park, a tribute to a career spanning over five decades.

Now residing in Hamilton, New Zealand, Vaughan’s induction is a significant Trans-Tasman milestone. While she has long been celebrated as the "Queen of Country" in her adopted home, today’s ceremony marked a triumphant homecoming for the Balmain-born singer of Biripi Aboriginal descent.

A Legacy Built on Iconic Partnerships

Vaughan’s rise to superstardom is inextricably linked to her legendary collaborations with fellow New Zealand icons Gray Bartlett and Brendan Dugan. Discovered by Dugan & Bartlett in 1976 following her success on The Entertainers, Jodi became a cornerstone of the "Golden Era" of New Zealand country music.

The trio became a powerhouse touring act, breaking box-office records across the South Pacific. Most notably, her duet partnership with Brendan Dugan became the stuff of folklore; their 1982 album Fairweather Friends reached Platinum status, and their 1990 Together Again album (with Bartlett) hit #1 and went Platinum, becoming one of the fastest-selling records in New Zealand history.

"To have my journey recognised here in Tamworth, back where my roots are, is an incredible honor," said Vaughan. "From the early days being discovered by Brendan & Gray to the decades spent on stage with Brendan and now with Aly with Sisters in Country this award belongs to the fans who have followed my music from the very beginning."

Key Career Highlights Honored Today:

Television Icon: A lead resident performer on That’s Country (1980–1984), where her weekly duets with Brendan Dugan made them a "household name" pairing.

International Success: Her 1984 appearance on Nashville Now with Bartlett and Dugan, performing to a US audience of 30 million, and opening for stars like Kenny Rogers and Freddy Fender.

Indigenous Heritage: Only recently discovering that she is a woman of Biripi Aboriginal descent, Jodi has embraced her heritage as a vital part of her identity. Having been raised in foster care in Shellharbour from 1958, her journey back to her roots has been a deeply personal chapter of her life and career.

Ongoing Success: Her current #1 success with the duo Sisters in Country (alongside Aly Cook), proving her voice remains as influential as ever in 2025.

The "Double" Hands of Fame

This induction creates a rare "double" for Vaughan. Having been inducted into the Gore Country Music Hands of Fame in New Zealand in 2024, she now holds the distinction of being recognized at the two most prestigious country music shrines in the Southern Hemisphere.

Continuing the Journey: Sisters in Country

Vaughan continues to be a prolific force in the industry from her home in Hamilton. Her 2022 album, For the Love of Country, hit #1 exactly 40 years to the week after her first Platinum success with Dugan testament to her enduring appeal.

Most recently, Jodi has found renewed chart success through her collaboration with award-winning singer-songwriter Aly Cook in their duo, Sisters in Country. Their debut album, Downunder Girls, soared to #1 on the Official NZ Album Charts and features several singles that have dominated Australian independent airplay charts, including the #1 hits "Hey Jolene" and "That’s What We Do." Proving that "talent and authenticity only deepen with age.

Sister in Country duo with Jodi Vaughan & Aly Cook along with their guest Marian Burns, have enjoyed a highly successful Tamworth with performances at the Golden Fiddle Awards, CCMA Awards ,Toyota Fanzone and the highly successful Hands Across the Tasman showcase at Wests. Sisters in Country have been the hosts of Harmony road tour which brought a dozen Kiwis tourists with them for the ride. (Sydney Harbour Cruise, Hunter Valley Wine Experience, 4 days of Tamworth Country Music Festival, Coffs Harbour and Gold Coast)

About Jodi Vaughan: Jodi Vaughan is an award-winning singer-songwriter and 2023 Benny Award recipient (New Zealand longest running entertainers award) From her iconic "Together Again" tours with Gray Bartlett and Brendan Dugan to her modern chart-toppers, she is one of the most enduring and successful female artists in Australasian music history.

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