Photo: Jordan Kirk / Supplied

Paul Kelly Recites Poem To Induct Kasey Chambers Into ARIA Hall Of Fame

By Tom Williams

Kasey Chambers was inducted into the ARIA Hall Of Fame in spectacular fashion at tonight’s ARIA Awards, after performing with some of her musical friends and having Paul Kelly dedicate a poem to her.

Chambers, who became the youngest woman to ever be inducted into the Hall Of Fame, was honoured with a performance of her song ‘Not Pretty Enough’ from Missy Higgins, Kate Miller-Heidke and Amy Sheppard, before claiming the spotlight herself for a powerful rendition of her song ‘Ain’t No Little Girl’.

Following the performance, Paul Kelly took to the stage to recite a poem he wrote in Chambers’ honour, which brought the audience to their feet (and many to tears).

“Kasey, they’ll never call you tame. That is why you live right here, in my own hall of fame,” Kelly said.

In her speech to the ARIAs crowd, Chambers offered up some advice.

“Always be true to yourself, and find your tribe,” she said. “I have had the most amazing tribe that I could ever imagine.”

Chambers also shared some of her Dad’s advice, which she continues to live by.

“The best advice my dad ever gave me was ‘just don’t be a dickhead’. I know it doesn’t sound very profound, but it’s been the best advice to follow. Seriously, you don’t need to be a dickhead to get ahead in this business, you really don’t. You don’t have to drag other people down to get to the top.”

In closing, Chambers said that while she is proud to be “a strong woman”, she believes she didn’t receive her ARIA induction just because she is a strong woman.

“I think I’m standing up here because I’m just myself, and that’s all any of us ever need to be,” she said.

Watch the performance, poem and speech unfold in all their glory, below.

Kasey Chambers’ induction into the ARIA Hall Of Fame celebrates her incredible contribution to the Australian music industry; the singer-songwriter currently retains the most number one albums by an Aussie female artist — tied with Kylie Minogue and Olivia Newton-John.

This year’s ARIA Awards were dominated by Amy Shark and late Indigenous artist Gurrumul, who both claimed four awards apiece.

Tom Williams
Tom Williams

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