The Forbes local was invited to add his prints to the Hands of Fame at the Tamworth Country Music Festival last weekend. 

Nev says the week since has been a blur, with an overwhelming number of messages and congratulations.

But that’s hardly surprising, given the list of artists the self-taught guitarist has performed with over the past four decades. 

It would probably be easier to list the country artists Nev Molloy has not appeared with, played or toured with, than the ones he has.

A few names from an extensive list include Slim Newton, Paul Lester, Lindsay Butler, Chad Morgan, the Howie Brothers, Bill Chambers, Troy Cassar-Daley. 

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

But ask him about a career highlight, and there’s no hesitation: Brian Letton. Nev has toured with him for 23 years. 

“No one can touch him vocally,” Nev said.

Nev first heard Letton on the radio and went to hear him in Broken Hill. He waited for a chance to speak to the performer, and slipped him a cassette tape of his own guitar instrumentals. 

When Brian phoned to ask if he’d join him on tour, Nev jumped at the chance.

The other band that has to rate a mention in Nev’s story is his first, formed right here in Forbes in the early 1970s with his late brother Bill, Greg Cook and the late Glen Bentick.

The young band of rock ‘n’ rollers performed locally for several years. 

“We were earning $6 each a night,” Nev said. “We thought, today Forbes – tomorrow the world!”

While he dreamed of success, he reflects that it happened so steadily that it took him by surprise. 

Nev still remembers pressing his nose against the glass of Scotty Wallace’s shop admiring the guitar on display in the window.

He went on the road with Tommy Steele – selling fruit for two bob a bucket – to make it his own. Then he holed away quietly, playing it for four or five hours a day. 

Nev grew up and left Forbes, moving from town to town working for Carlton Brewery. He’d pick up a guitar wherever he went. 

It was only the comments and invitations from others that told the unassuming talent how good he was becoming over the years.

“The saying goes that a musician is someone who puts $5000 worth of equipment in a $500 car and drives 500 miles to make $50,” he quips. “There was a lot of years of that.”

Music was always part of his life – and at some point it just became his life. 

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. 

He “retired” back to Forbes about 12 years ago but the work has continued.

Nev has watched a lot of people come and go in the music industry and reckons you have to have a passion to stick it out. 

“You can’t play properly from here,” he touches his head. It has to come from the heart.

There’s also not as much room for egos as you might think.

“I think the secret – to success in anything – is if you can relax and be yourself,” Nev said.

“The further up the ladder you go, the less rot you get.”

There was no resting on his laurels for the new Tamworth Country Music Hall of Fame inductee, he was straight on the road again to the Bungendore Country Music Muster.

His song, “I’ve been married, mate” was one of three finalists for the comedy song of the year.

It was Brian Letton’s She’s Gotta be Emu Export that won the category.

Nev thanked his family and friends who travelled to support him in Tamworth.