THE SOUTHERN STARS
THE AUSTRALIAN INDEPENDENT
COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS,
Presented by Neighbourhood Cable

Saturday October 2nd, 2010
Mercy Theatre St Joseph's Stadium

DIANNA CORCORAN, BRENDAN RADFORD, AMBER LAWRENCE and TRACY KILLEEN head the list of finalists for the 2010 Southern Stars - the 14th Australian Independent Country Music Awards, presented by Neighbourhood Cable.

All scored three finalist berths in a year that sees a total of 20 artists featuring in the eight judged categories.

Dianna, Tracy and Amber are head to head in Single of the Year, Album of the Year and Female Vocal.

Dianna’s entries include Thank You For Cheating On Me in Single and Female Vocal, and Keep Breathing in Album. Brave secured two nominations for Tracy in Single and Female Vocal with Driver’s Seat picking up an Album nomination, and Amber spread her options with Don’t Do Lonely Well in Single, When It All Comes Down in Female Vocal, and When It All Comes Down in Album.

Brendan grabbed berths in Album with Snow, Heritage Track of the Year for Coongoola Station, and Male Vocal with Stop The Night.

CARTER & CARTER, LUKE O’SHEA and IAN QUINN are also multiple finalists with two nominations apiece.

“We received nominations from 88 individual artists and groups,” said Awards Co-ordinator John Arnold, “but what really stood out amidst the finalists in the eight judged categories was the mix of well-established artists together with some outstanding emerging talent.

“Many of the 21 finalists have already achieved significant chart success with radio singles over the past year,” Mr Arnold emphasised, “and many have also released very successful new recorded product, albums or EPs, in the last 12 months.”

General Manager of Victoria for Neighbourhood Cable Andre Koot said, “Neighbourhood Cable is proud to continue its naming right sponsorship of this terrific annual event, which last year brought over 12,000 visitors to Mildura during the Festival period.

“The Festival plays a major role in fostering Australian country music talent and on behalf of Neighbourhood Cable I would like to congratulate all the nominees for the 2010 Southern Stars awards.”

The full list of finalists is on the website at www.milduracountrymusic.com.au

Tickets are now available for the Awards presentation and concert - the Festival’s gala event – on Saturday October 2 at the Mercy Theatre, St Joseph’s College. The awards evening, co-hosted by DIANNA CORCORAN and AMBER LAWRENCE features an impressive list of performers including TED EGAN, SHANDELL TOSONI, BRENDAN RADFORD, TRACY KILLEEN, 8 BALL AITKEN, SANDRA HUMPHRIES, DON COSTA, KRISTY COX, RICK BARTLETT, JAYNE DENHAM, DARREN COLSTON, MARIE HODSON, DALY STEPHENSON, KIMBERLEY BOWDEN and LUKE O’SHEA.

The 2010 festival will be staged from September 24 to October 3, with over 100 artists performing over the 10 days at 20 separate venues.

The festival Program, a full list of 2010 artists and further information is now available on the Mildura Country Music Festival website at www.milduracountrymusic.com.au. For Awards tickets, programs, accommodation or enquiries about the Festival, contact the Mildura Visitor Information Centre, 1800 039 043. For media enquiries: John Arnold 0418 303 206

 

The Southern Stars - The Australian Independent Country Music Awards

The Southern Stars – The Australian Independent Country Music Awards – were instigated in 1997 by the Mildura Country Music Festival Committee to recognise the recording achievements of Independent artists in Australian country music.

The Awards are open to all CD product by Australian Independent country music artists recorded in Australia during the designated period (July 1st to June 30th of the applicable year) on labels other than those specified as Major Labels.

The Awards comprise 7 judged categories as listed below. In 1999 the Australian Independent Artist of the Year Award was added with selection of the recipient from entrants in all of the judged categories, and in 2003, the Barry Thornton Memorial Service Award was inaugurated.

• APRA/AMCOS Australian Independent Country Music Single of the year
• Australian Independent Album of the Year
• Australian Independent Heritage Track of the Year - Traditional
• Capital News Australian Independent Rising Star Male Award
• Capital News Australian Independent Rising Star Female Award
• Australian Independent Female Vocalist of the Year
• Australian Independent Male Vocalist of the Year
• Australian Independent Group/Duo of the Year
• Australian Independent Artist of the Year
• Barry Thornton Memorial Service Award

All scored three finalist berths in a year that sees a total of 20 artists featuring in the eight judged categories.

Dianna, Tracy and Amber are head to head in Single of the Year, Album of the Year and Female Vocal.

Dianna’s entries include Thank You For Cheating On Me in Single and Female Vocal, and Keep Breathing in Album. Brave secured two nominations for Tracy in Single and Female Vocal with Driver’s Seat picking up an Album nomination, and Amber spread her options with Don’t Do Lonely Well in Single, When It All Comes Down in Female Vocal, and When It All Comes Down in Album.

Brendan grabbed berths in Album with Snow, Heritage Track of the Year for Coongoola Station, and Male Vocal with Stop The Night.

CARTER & CARTER, LUKE O’SHEA and IAN QUINN are also multiple finalists with two nominations apiece.

“We received nominations from 88 individual artists and groups,” said awards co-ordinator John Arnold, “but what really stood out amidst the finalists in the eight judged categories was the mix of well-established artists together with some outstanding emerging talent.

“Many of the 21 finalists have already achieved significant chart success with radio singles over the past year,” Mr Arnold emphasised, “and many have also released very successful new recorded product, albums or EPs, in the last 12 months.”

General Manager of Victoria for Neighbourhood Cable Andre Koot said, “Neighbourhood Cable is proud to continue its naming right sponsorship of this terrific annual event, which last year brought over 12,000 visitors to Mildura during the Festival period.

“The Festival plays a major role in fostering Australian country music talent and on behalf of Neighbourhood Cable I would like to congratulate all the nominees for the 2010 Southern Stars awards.”

The full list of finalists is on the website at www.milduracountrymusic.com.au

Tickets are now available for the Awards presentation and concert - the Festival’s gala event – on Saturday October 2 at the Mercy Theatre, St Joseph’s College. The awards evening, co-hosted by DIANNA CORCORAN and AMBER LAWRENCE features an impressive list of performers including TED EGAN, SHANDELL TOSONI, BRENDAN RADFORD, TRACY KILLEEN, 8 BALL AITKEN, SANDRA HUMPHRIES, DON COSTA, KRISTY COX, RICK BARTLETT, JAYNE DENHAM, DARREN COLSTON, MARIE HODSON, DALY STEPHENSON, KIMBERLEY BOWDEN and LUKE O’SHEA.

The 2010 festival will be staged from September 24 to October 3, with over 100 artists performing over the 10 days at 20 separate venues.

The festival Program, a full list of 2010 artists and further information is now available on the Mildura Country Music Festival website at www.milduracountrymusic.com.au. For Awards tickets, programs, accommodation or enquiries about the Festival, contact the Mildura Visitor Information Centre, 1800 039 043. For media enquiries: John Arnold 0418 303 206