Country Legend Jodi Vaughan Joins Tamworth Hall of Fame

A 76-year-old country music icon placed her hands in wet concrete at Australia's Tamworth Country Music Festival, marking a triumphant return to the country where her journey began.

Jodi Vaughan was inducted into the Australian Country Music Hands of Fame on January 24, joining an elite group of artists permanently honored at Hands of Fame Park. Born in Balmain and now living in Hamilton, New Zealand, Vaughan's career has spanned both sides of the Tasman Sea for over 50 years.

The journey started in 1976 when producers Gray Bartlett and Brendan Dugan discovered Vaughan on the talent show The Entertainers. What followed became the golden era of New Zealand country music, with the trio breaking box office records across the South Pacific.

Vaughan's partnership with Dugan produced some of the region's most beloved country albums. Their 1982 record Fairweather Friends went platinum, while 1990's Together Again with Bartlett hit number one and became one of New Zealand's fastest-selling albums ever.

"To have my journey recognized here in Tamworth, back where my roots are, is an incredible honor," Vaughan said at the ceremony. She shared the award with fans who have followed her from weekly TV appearances in the 1980s to her current chart success.

Between 1980 and 1984, Vaughan became a household name as a lead performer on That's Country, where her duets with Dugan captivated audiences each week. The trio even performed on Nashville Now in 1984, reaching 30 million American viewers and opening for stars like Kenny Rogers.

Why This Inspires

Vaughan's story carries extra meaning as she recently discovered her Biripi Aboriginal heritage. Raised in foster care from 1958, reconnecting with her Indigenous roots has become a deeply personal chapter in her ongoing journey.

Her current success proves that authentic talent has no expiration date. Sisters in Country, her duo with Aly Cook, hit number one on New Zealand charts in 2022 exactly 40 years after her first platinum album.

Their recent singles "Hey Jolene" and "That's What We Do" have dominated Australian independent airplay charts. During this year's Tamworth Festival, they performed at multiple prestigious venues and hosted the Harmony Road tour, bringing New Zealand fans along for performances and adventures from Sydney to the Gold Coast.

This induction creates a rare double honor for Vaughan. After being recognized at New Zealand's Gore Country Music Hands of Fame in 2024, she now holds handprints at both nations' most prestigious country music monuments.

At 76, with fresh hits climbing the charts and sold-out shows across two countries, Vaughan shows no signs of slowing down.