Forbes-born country music artist Nev Molloy has been honoured by the Australasian SouthernCross Music Association this year.

Molloy, who began his career as a guitarist right here in Forbes, was named a 2020 inductee into TASMA’s Entertainment Honour Roll and named a life member of the association.

The award recognises that he’s a great ambassador for the industry.

It’s the latest in a swag of honours: Molloy was inducted into the Australian country music hall of fame ‘hands of fame’ in Tamworth in 2018, then awarded the Living Legend award from Mal Norton Entertainment Services later that year.

The TASMA awards are conducted each year, with artists from across Australia and New Zealand.

As they couldn’t have an awards ceremony this year, Molloy was taken by surprise to receive word that he’d been named an honour roll inductee.

“I was very honoured to receive these awards,” he said.

Molloy first performed with local bands here in Forbes, with Greg Cook, his late brother Billy and the late Glen Bentic.

He hit the road, picking up a guitar everywhere he went.

Over time music went from being part of his life, to being his life.

Molloy has toured with Brian Letton, Slim Newton, Paul Lester, Lindsay Butler, Chad Morgan, the Howie Brothers, Bill Chambers and Troy Cassar-Daley.

He was house guitarist for Rick (Ford) Aitchison’s Cavalcade of Country, backing every artist that appeared over the 10-day event.

Nev started playing festivals, including Tamworth from the early 1980s, and before he knew it he was in demand in country music.

As well as performing, Nev spent years in Broken Hill, recording more than 60 albums for many artists.