NLMAs Board welcomes Ngaiire and Fred Leone [exclusive]

The board of the National Live Music Awards (NLMAs) welcomes two members this week, with singer-songwriter Ngaiire and groundbreaking artist Fred Leone named as new additions.

The pair join the 10-person board in place of former members Dallas Frasca and Aeron Clark, who stepped down from their positions earlier in 2020.

Papua New Guinean-born, Sydney-based artist Ngaiire is a multi-award winning artist, has performed at festivals including Glastonbury and Splendour In the Grass.

She has opened for the likes of Alicia Keys and John Legend, had her work commissioned twice by Broome’s Marrugeku Dance Theatre for their productions, and will release her third album later this year.

Fred Leone is one of the Butchulla Songmen, a language custodian, and a ground- breaking, award winning artist who works across genres and mediums to bring a distinctly original voice to his performances and recordings.

He founded Odd Records, Queensland’s only Indigenous owned and operated record label, is a member of the Australian Live Music Business Council board and a current member of the Indigenous Advisory Group for the National Indigenous Music Awards.

“We are humbled and truly honoured to welcome Ngaiire and Fred Leone to the Board of the National Live Music Awards,” NLMAs founder and director Larry Heath said.

“Especially in these times of industry turmoil, events like this can’t grow and adapt without strong voices to help lead the way – and few come more powerful than these incredible artists. Their input will be invaluable to the future of the Awards.”

The National Live Music Awards board exists to provide direction for the long term vision of the awards, and to ensure they remain inclusive and representative of Australia’s dynamic live music sector.

The NLMAs will take place in conjunction with the opening of BIGSOUND 2020, taking place at The Triffid on October 20, and live streamed around Australia.

NLMAs / by Lachlan Douglas

The 2020 awards are recognising live streams for the first time, reflecting the rise of streaming during the coronavirus pandemic.

Aussie promoters are also set to be recognised for the first time, with Best International Tour to be awarded to a promoter for their work on an Aussie leg of an international guest, deemed the most impressive in terms of scope, production and talent by 100 national judges.

The full NLMAs board is now as follows:

• Andrew Tuttle (APRA AMCOS, QLD)
• Damian Cunningham (Elastic Entertainment, NSW)
• Fred Leone (Butchulla Song Man, QLD)
• Katie Noonan (Musician, QLD)
• Mark Smith (MusicNT, NT)
• Michelle Padovan (Coolin’ By Sound, QLD)
• Mike Harris (WAM, WA)
• Ngaiire (Musician, NSW)
• Ruth O’Brien (Artist & Disability Advocate, ACT)
• Sian Walden (Little Acorn Music, SA)

For more information about the 2020 NLMAs head to the official website.