Entries open for Queensland Music Awards, Billy Thorpe Scholarship
Image: Amy Shark
Entries have opened for the 23 categories of the 2017 Queensland Music Awards, held on Monday March 27 at Brisbane Powerhouse.
Supported by Hutchinson Builders and APRA AMCOS, they are judged by 50 music biz executives around the world.
The categories include genre (Pop, Rock, Blues/Roots, Country, Urban, Folk/Singer Songwriter, World, Jazz, Electronic/Dance, Heavy), Regional, Video and Schools.
This year’s awards threw the spotlight on acts as Eves The Behavior, Sahara Beck, AYLA, Violent Soho and Blank Realm.
The winner of the Pop section, Gold Coast singer-songwriter Amy Shark, called her win with the track Golden Fleece a game changer. She connected with some American supervisors who told her to abandon her stage name Little Sleeper.
“No matter what anyone tells me, I know deep down, the Queensland Music Awards were the kick-start to the success I have achieved in 2016,” she remarked.
Published and unpublished original songwriters from across Queensland are encouraged to submit their entries for the 2017 awards by midnight December 4 on www.queenslandmusicawards.com.au.
As reported in TMN, Q Music is also holding a free QMA showcase on Sunday October 30 from 2 pm at the Brunswick Street Mall as part of the Valley Fiesta. It includes the unveiling of a 2016 Song of The Year plaque for Violent Soho’s Like Soda, as well as performances from winners and finalists Emily Wurramara, Deena, Bearfoot, Mzaza and FOREVR.
Also opening for entries is the 2017 Billy Thorpe Scholarship, funded by Arts Queensland. Available to any Queenslander-based musician over 18, it provides $10,000 for an emerging artist to record with an established producer, and receive career-planning advice from Chugg Entertainment. Applicants apply online through QMusic’s website, with the winner announced at the 2017 Queensland Music Awards.
Billy Thorpe spent his formative years in Brisbane before moving south where he became one of Australian rock’s first real stars. He died in February 2007.