Andy Penkow is a unique and award-winning singer-songwriter from Sussex Inlet, NSW, Australia. Blending Americana, Alternative Country, and Contemporary influences, Andy has built a reputation as one of the most distinctive voices in Australian country music.

Recognised as the Most Successful Independent Australian Male Country Artist for three consecutive years (2022, 2023, 2024) by the Country Songs Top 40 National Airplay Charts, Andy continues to carve out an impressive career on both the national and international stage.

​

Career Highlights

• 4-time CMAA Golden Guitar Nominee

• Bush Ballad of the Year – “Ghostly Gums” (2023) & “The Lone Drover” (2025)

• Contemporary Album of the Year – Shades On Me (2023)

• Toyota Album of the Year – Shades On Me (2025)

• Over 1.5 million Spotify streams

• ARIA Chart Success:

  • Love, Lies & Dirty Dishes – #3 (Australian Country Albums)

  • Shades On Me – #2 (Australian Country Albums), #7 (All Australian Albums)

Awards

• Best Male Vocal – 2025 (Independent CMA) & 2024 (Tamworth People’s Choice Awards)

• Best Album – Shades On Me (2025 People’s Choice Awards, Tamworth)

• Most Popular Balladeer – 2024 (Independent CMA)

• Best Bush Ballad – 2023 (Tamworth People’s Choice Awards)

• Most Popular Male Artist & Music Video – 2023 (Independent CMA)

• Purple Guitar Awards: Best Male Vocal & Best Album (2023)

• Most Promising New Talent – 2022 (Tamworth People’s Choice Awards)

• Most Popular New Male Artist – 2022 (Independent CMA)

• Winner – 2019 Australian Busking Championships (Gundagai)

• Radio Presenters Award – 2024 (TSA – Tamworth Songwriters Association)

• Multiple APRA AMCOS and TSA Songwriter Award nominations

• ​

Radio & Media Achievements

• 22 singles on the Country Songs Top 40 Australian Airplay Charts – including 16 #1 singles

• “1993,” “Fallen Snow,” and “Aussie Rain” each charted for 16+ weeks

• “Shades On Me” charted for 19 weeks

• “Fallen Snow,” “Fireflies,” and “Ghostly Gums” all hit #1 on Indie Nashville Radio Charts (2022–2023)

• Love, Lies & Dirty Dishes debuted at #3 ARIA Australian Country Albums and #1 AIR Independent Albums (All Genres)

• Shades On Me debuted at #2 ARIA Australian Country Albums, #7 ARIA Australian Albums (All Genres), and #1 AIR Independent Albums (All Genres)

• Both albums spent 4 consecutive weeks on the ARIA Country Album Charts

• Three Top 5 albums on the iTunes Country Album Charts, with two debuting at #1

• Six Top 10 singles on the AMRAP Metro & Regional Charts

• 13 Top 20 singles on the PlayMPE Charts

.

Andy’s Career and Media Presence

​

Andy Penkow has become a familiar presence across Australia’s country music landscape, appearing regularly on CMT Australia, the Music Network Top 30, Kix FM, Triple M, and ABC Country, where he has built a loyal and growing fan base. In 2024 alone, he performed more than 120 shows, taking the stage at festivals, theatres, hotels, and cruise ships both at home and abroad. His festival credits include Groundwater Country Music Festival, Gympie Muster, Airlie Beach Music Festival, Stock Route Music Festival, Country By The Bay, Tamworth Country Music Festival, and Captain Cook Cruises.

A graduate of JMC Academy with an Advanced Diploma in Popular Music and Performance, Andy’s career has also seen him featured on ABC Radio programs such as Ian McNamara’s Australia All Over (“Macca”), Simon Marnie’s weekend show, and Saturday Night Country with Beccy Cole. His television appearances include spots on SBS, Channel 7 Australia, and CMT.

Internationally, Andy has showcased his music in Nashville, Texas, Iceland, and at key Canadian events, including Canadian Music Week, the Canadian National Exhibition, and the Toronto International Busking Festival. He has also been featured on global platforms like Rogers TV Ottawa and other international media outlets.

Collaboration has been central to Andy’s journey, working alongside an impressive roster of acclaimed songwriters and producers such as Shane Nicholson, Allan Caswell, Lyn Bowtell, David Carter, Lindsey Waddington, Steve Newton, Michael Moko, Shawn Moore, Elias James, Jessica Sole, Michael Flanders, Rip Van Parks, Kath Stewart, Rob Motbey, TC Cassidy, X-Factor finalists Man & Shar, and leading studios including 2000 Studios, Blacklist Productions, Silver Queen Productions, and MRVP Studios.

Andy first gained national attention in 2001, reaching the Top 20 on the TV series Popstars. His debut album, Sad Love Songs, and his follow-up, Love, Lies & Dirty Dishes (2018), were recorded and mixed by Rob Motbey and mastered in Nashville by Steve Corrao at Sage Audio. His 2020 EP Chasing the Sun, produced by ARIA and Golden Guitar winner Shane Nicholson, further cemented his place in the industry. Most recently, Andy released his critically acclaimed album Shades On Me (2024), recorded in Canada and produced by Shawn Moore, the CMAO Producer of the Year.

Beyond music, Andy proudly serves as a brand ambassador for the Australian Koala Foundation and Thomas Cook Clothing, reflecting his commitment to both community and conservation

​​

​