Michael Gudinski talks new ‘State Of Music’ special series: ‘This is a very different type of show’
Michael Gudinski hasn’t been getting much shut-eye.
After delivering the three-hour-plus Music From The Home Front special, which won last Saturday night’s ratings for Channel Nine, the Mushroom Group chairman immediately turned his attention to a new iso initiative, The State Of Music.
Birds Of Tokyo, Diesel, G Flip and James Reyne join the line-up for the first of six live-streamed episodes, which lifts off this Sunday night (May 3) through a partnership with Daniel Andrews’ Victorian Government.
While the music community is facing a long, challenging stint on the sidelines, The State Of Music should keep the spotlight on some of Australia’s established and emerging talent.
“This is a very different type of show,” Gudinski tells TIO. “Acts can perform whatever song they want. For younger acts like G Flip, I think this show will be capable of doing what Unearthed did and still does. I’ll be shocked after the six shows if there’s not two or three acts that gain incredible traction.”
The format will be a blend of performances and interviews, with a new host each week. And your viewing pleasure won’t be spoiled by sponsors or ads.
Mushroom Group’s Michael Gudinski
Two months in the making, the series is curated and cut by Mushroom Group and will stream each Sunday at 7.30pm AEST across YouTube, Facebook and the just-launched site Victoria Together site.
This being 2020, viewers will be able to interact with artists and submit via livestream.
Victorian Government is chipping-in funding for the project, including artist performance fees.
“Victorians have done the right thing by staying at home,” comments state premier Daniel Andrews, “and we’re thanking them by bringing them the best of Victoria’s creative talents to their living rooms.”
Paraphrasing Jackson Browne’s ‘Running on Empty,’ Gudinski admits the action has been non-stop. Andrews “was so blown out” by last Saturday’s Music From The Home Front show, “he rang me on Monday and said I want it on air and I want it on this week.”
Andrews “is a bloke who cares,” Gudinski adds. With The State Of Music, “he’s not restricting acts to Victoria. He wants to see Australian music get to the world. We’re happy to deliver it.”
Gudinski promises “something special” for next week’s Mother’s Day episode.
First up, Episode one will be hosted by radio veteran Rosie Beaton, and Gudinski will make an appearance to discuss how he and Jimmy Barnes assembled Music From The Home Front in just one week.
By night’s end, more than 1.159 million people tuned in to the primetime TV special.
This article originally appeared on The Industry Observer, which is now part of The Music Network.