Less than a month out from the Tamworth Country Music Festival, which the prestigious awards ceremony is part of, Pye is feeling on top of the world.

“Last year was the first time I had been nominated, which was for Best New Talent and Instrumental of the year,” he said.

“I can’t ever go in Best New Talent again, so it is just Instrumental of the Year and this time it’s with a new song, Buckle Up.”

The single was recorded at the Vault Studio in Sydney and released in September.

It was described by Pye as “fast-paced, chicken-picking”, a style of playing where a guitarist uses all the fingers on their right hand to play.

Pye said he was surprised to be acknowledged again by the Golden Guitar Awards.

“You never really expect it at all, but I guess the hard thing is that I’m up against Stuie French and he has been my favourite guitarist for years,” he said

“I don’t really expect to win it with him in it, but it is great to be nominated.” 

The Golden Guitar awards will be held on January 28 in Tamworth. 

In addition to his nomination, Pye is one of the acts due to perform throughout the Tamworth Country Music Festival, which runs from January 20 to 29.

“We have three main shows at Tamworth and they’re all at the Royal Albert Hotel,” he said.

He will also play with fellow musicians Travis Collins, who he spent a portion of 2016 on tour with, and Tania Kernaghan.

The festival holds a special place in Pye’s heart and he said it is the "highlight of the year” for country music acts.

“If you’re in the country music scene, you have to go there, and also you wouldn’t want to miss it because it is like our celebration,” he said.

Fans of Pye will be happy to hear he plans to release his second album later this year.

It will feature his Golden Guitar nominated track Buckle Up, among others.

“I think it will be a 15-track album,” Pye said.