TMN Tinnies: Manager of the Year
We’rejust over one week away from the TMN Tinnies – Australia’s free music business awards event that celebrates those in the industry.
Being an artist manager means you see it all – the good, the bad and the in-between, all while juggling the day-to-day life as well as long-term goals. Which is why we’ve nominated these five legends for Manager of the Year.
The final winner will be announced as one of the eight TMN Tinniesawards handed outon Friday,February 2.
Bill Cullen (One Louder)
Currently representing the likes of Kim Churchill, Neil Finn, Alex The Astronaut (with Original Matters) and Ball Park Music, Bill Cullen’s artists earned themselves a decent amount of local accolades and international touring exposure in the last 12 months.
Most notable was Paul Kelly, the industry veteran who earned his first number one album in his 40-year career, as well as picking up four wins from seven nominations at the 2017 ARIA Awards. Also worth a mention is Kate Miller-Heidke, who worked with Keir Nuttall on the music and lyrics for Muriel’s Wedding The Musical.
Cathy Oates (Original Matters)
Original Matters artist Dean Lewis went from strength to strength last year, riding the wave of his 2016 track ‘Waves’, thanks to featuring in the mid-season finale of acclaimed US TV series, Suits. The track was also certified 3 x platinum in November.
With Lisa Mitchell and Alex The Astronaut (with One Louder) also on the roster, as well as a scheduled appearance at BottleRock Napa Valley for Dean Lewis, the coming year is shaping up nicely for the management team.
Regan Lethbridge & David Morgan (Lemon Tree Music)
After signing Tash Sultana in mid-2016, the Lemon Tree Music team have had their hands full. Touring almost non-stop since the release of her debut album, Sultana not only appeared on Late Night with Seth Meyers, but also sold out her 2017 US tour almost six weeks out from the first show – a notoriously difficult feat when dealing with an audience who isn’t accustomed to purchases that far in advance.
Regan Lethbridge and David Morgan also added Perth songwriter Riley Pearce to their roster at the end of last year, joining the growing list of artists including Willow Beats, Pierce Brothers and Maddy Jane.
Jaddan and Rachael Comerford (UNIFIED Music Group)
ARIA Awards darling Amy Shark proved to be the jewel in the crown of UNIFIED Music Group last year – a title that doesn’t come lightly, given that Vance Joy and producer Edwin White are also on the roster.
The husband and wife team also had a strong year in the punk/metal scene thanks to workhorses Trophy Eyes, Violent Soho and Northlane, while also helping to launch the Your Choice campaign.
Ben Dennis (Myriad Management)
It’s one thing to be the founder of your own management company, but it’s “babysitting” the electronic duo Peking Duk that keeps Ben Dennis the busiest.
When he’s not on a personal mission ofpetitioning Virgin Australia to introduce Sriracha as a condiment to the lounge, he also manages Melbourne DJ Benson.