Chris Golden, the brother of Bahrain’s former favourite visiting American country and gospel legend Rusty who died suddenly at the age of 65, has won another top US music award and dedicated the prize to his late sibling.
He recently became the star turn at the Inspirational Country Music Awards, held at the famous Grand Ole Opry House, a live music and broadcast venue in Nashville.
“I was proud to accept the Musician of the Year award, which I dedicated to my late brother Rusty,” said Chris, who tours as a solo artist and with a band to sell out shows across the country.
“We had fun dressing up, walking the carpet, singing a few songs, and catching up with friends we don’t often see.”
Chris Golden with his band on stage
The Tennessee venue was the same location that witnessed Rusty receiving one of music industry’s most coveted prizes, the Josie Music Awards ‘Musician of the Year (piano/keyboards)’ accolade at a glitzy ceremony just a few months before his death in 2024.
Flashback: The late, great Rusty Golden
During his annual trips to Bahrain, prior to the global Covid-19 pandemic, Rusty Golden regularly set the stage alight at venues in Juffair, helped local acts with recording and performing guidance, as well as playing and singing at Friday gospel services at the US naval facility.
He made the headlines in 2019 after he was involved in an airport visa mix up and sent packing back to the US after flying into Bahrain.
After news of the airport calamity appeared in the GDN, communication with government officials followed and the star was all set to make the trip again when his late mother was suddenly diagnosed with cancer.
He described the travel delay as a ‘blessing in disguise’ and was able to concentrate on family matters before returning to Bahrain to a warm welcome and a VIP reception.
His Bahrain adventure started with a piece of luck, good fortune and loose family connections, bringing along a beloved Western buckskin jacket given to him by his father – Country Music Hall of Fame and The Oak Ridge Boys member William Lee Golden – because he thought it would help show that ‘real American Country & Western music had finally come to the Middle East’.
Brother Chris Golden has performed for every living United States President and, In addition to his own endeavours and touring schedule, he is an award-winning music producer and is highly decorated throughout various organisations with other recent accolades including Entertainer of the Year, Instrumentalist of the Year and Producer of The Year.
This one is for you, said Chris Golden
There are ongoing discussions to bring gospel star Chris Golden to Bahrain to perform once the regional unrest is resolved. He said he would be honoured to visit the country his late brother Rusty loved so much.
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