The tragedy of farmers taking their own lives had affected her own family and friends, she said.

"It's so close to home it's scary. So many people have been touched by the problem," she said.

Storer's hit Land Cries Out, which continues country music's rapprochement with the land, won Golden Guitar awards in the Song of the Year and Heritage categories at the Tamworth Country Music Festival.

The song runs parallel with Australian of the Year Lee Kernaghan's concerts to raise money for farms and the country music community's concern with farmers.

Country music's night of nights drew a capacity house to the Tamworth Regional Entertainment Centre.

Stars who walked the red carpet included James Blundell, who arrived with his girlfriend Jesse Curran.

The awards, on Saturday night, were a celebration of up-and-coming and established stars being rewarded.

Spirit of the Bush won three Golden Guitars for Kernaghan, Adam Brand and Steve Forde, including Single of the Year. The other two were for vocal collaboration and video clip.

Dianna Corcoran, from Parkes, broke through to be Female Artist of the Year.