Category Criteria
CATEGORY CRITERIA
AUSTRALIAN BUSH BALLAD – HERITAGE SONG OF THE YEAR
In the style of songs listed:
Kidman’s Men – recorded by Peter Coad
Hilda’s Rest – recorded by Dean Perrett
The Saddle That Wieneke Made – recorded by Dean Perrett
Rural heritage lifestyle/historic events. Australian Bush Ballad style presentation.
Simple musical arrangements with prominent pick and strum/that compliments the vocal story line.
TRADITIONAL COUNTRY – BLUEGRASS SONG OF THE YEAR
In the style of songs listed:
The Ringing Of The Steel – recorded by Peter Denahy
Moonlight, Moonshine and Blue Moon of Kentucky – recorded by Kristy Cox
Lonesome Highway Blues – recorded by Runaway Dixie
Traditional Bluegrass style/banjo/acoustic instruments.
TRADITIONAL COUNTRY – HERITAGE SONG OF THE YEAR
In the style of songs listed:
1942 – recorded by Peter Coad (About the bomb attacks on Darwin)
Where Country Is – recorded by Slim Dusty (About Characters/particular places)
She Gave Us The Song – featuring Lee Kernaghan and Sara Storer – recorded by Tom Curtain (Paying tribute to Joy McKean OAM)
Lyrics can be about Australian lifestyle, past or present events. Traditional Country music style presentation.
OPEN SECTION – HILLBILLY SONG OF THE YEAR
In the style of songs listed:
Rocky Ned – recorded by Tex Morton
Music In My Ponies Feet – recorded by Buddy Williams
Golden Wattle Blooms – recorded by Shirley Thoms
Hillbilly songs may contain Hillbilly guitar licks/and/or include yodeling.
OPEN SECTION – CLASSIC SONG OF THE YEAR
This section includes cover versions of classic releases.
The song must be an Australian song.
Classic tracks of TRADITIONAL COUNTRY or AUSTRALIAN BUSH BALLAD re-recorded in the eligibility timeframe accepted.
OPEN SECTION – GROUP / DUO OF THE YEAR
The group or duo must be a full-time act – that has recorded an album together– not a one-off song.
Australian Bush Ballad/Traditional Country/Hillbilly/Bluegrass style.
OPEN SECTION – VIDEO CLIP OF THE YEAR
Supply link YouTube Link of video.
Australian Bush Ballad/Traditional Country/Hillbilly/Bluegrass style.
OPEN SECTION – INSTRUMENTAL OF THE YEAR
Strong lead instrument with a memorable tune.
Bush Ballad/Country/Bluegrass styles.
Instrumental track must be recorded in Australia and must be an Australian composition with Australian musicians.
TRADITIONAL COUNTRY – SONG OF THE YEAR
In the style of songs listed:
Trains – recorded by Troy Cassar-Daley
The Verandah – recorded by Tania Kernaghan
Losin’ My Blues Tonight – recorded by Slim Dusty
General Australian life/Romantic content.
AUSTRALIAN BUSH BALLAD – TRADITIONAL SONG OF THE YEAR
In the style of songs listed:
Leave Him In The Long Yard – recorded by Slim Dusty
Letter To Arrabury – recorded by Slim Dusty
Bloodwood & Clover – recorded by Dean Perrett
Lyrics reflect rural life and events.
Simple musical arrangements with prominent pick and strum/ feel that compliments the vocal story line.
AUSTRALIAN BUSH BALLAD – CONTEMPORARY SONG OF THE YEAR
In the style of songs listed:
Bush Looks After Its Own – recorded by Matt Scullion
We’re Still Here – recorded by Tom Curtain
Raining on the rock – recorded by John Williamson
Lyrics reflect rural life with a simple musical arrangement with folk style influences.