awards Entry Information
AWARDS ENTRY INFORMATION
ABBA MUSIC EXCELLENCE AWARDS
OPENING DATE – 1ST OF JULY 2024
CLOSING DATE – 1ST OF SEPTEMBER 2024.
ENTRY ELIGIBILITY RELEASE DATE FOR 2024:
1ST OF JANUARY 2023 – 25TH OF AUGUST 2024
- Material submitted recorded by Australian Artists.
- Songs written by Australian Songwriter/s.
- Independent artist music releases only.
- All material (Songs or Videos) submitted to the awards must be of commercial standard (not demos or home footage)
- All material entered must be a first *commercial release of the composition within the awards Entry Eligibility dates
(Excluding submissions for the OPEN SECTION – CLASSIC SONG OF THE YEAR in which cover versions of previously released songs can be included but the version must be a new recording and released within the eligibility time frame. The song must be from an Australian Songwriter/s)
*Commercial Music release details:
Released for sale eg., digital download via artist personal or commercial website such as iTunes, Spotify, or via a Commercial Compact Disc release, eg., CD album, Single, or EP under artists name or as part of a commercial compilation album artist release..
*Video Clip: Released via YouTube date (within Awards eligibility time line)
- Instrumental track must be recorded in Australia with Australian musicians.
- A track can only be nominated once in the Awards, with the exception of Video Clip Of The Year (which can be nominated in its own category if it was released as a song release as well).
- A trophy will be awarded to the performer of the winning song, video e.g., a solo, duo or group.
- A framed Finalist certificate to Finalists of all sections.
THE FINE PRINT
- Songs must be submitted as a MP3 (320kbps) sound file via this online entry platform which is provided by Song Central.
- A YouTube link is required for the Video Clip Category via the online platform.
- Entrants must supply: Name of Track, Songwriter/s, Commercial Release Date, Promotional Release date, Single cover or Album cover artwork the entry came from.
- You can enter in all categories, one track per category, but not the same song in different categories. *
* Video Clip of the Year can be entered in the Video Clip Category and entered separately into a music category as a song.
- In entering the ABBA Music Excellence Awards the entrant has deemed to have read, understood and agreed to the rules associated with entering the awards.
- The ABBA cannot be held responsible for any perceived digression or non-compliance in any matter.
- Offensive material, or songs containing language not deemed to be acceptable should not be entered.
- The awards will be presented at the ABBA Music Excellence Awards concert in January at the ABBA Balladeers Homestead in Tamworth.
- All Finalists will be announced prior to the Awards via media release on the ABBA Facebook page, and also via www.bushballadeers.com.au/MEAwards.htm
- If you are a Finalist, please advise the ABBA via email if you are not able to attend the Awards and who your nominated representative will be to collect your Award in the event of you winning. Email info@bushballadeers.com.au
- An artist who has won a section in the ABBA Music Excellence Awards cannot enter that same song in future ABBA Music Excellence Awards via the same or any other category.
- Specialist judges chosen with in depth knowledge in Australian Bush Ballads, and specialist judges chosen with in depth knowledge of Traditional Country Music.
- The judge’s decision is final and the ABBA will not enter into any discussion regarding the results, rules or the process of the Awards.
- Judges’ names will not be publicly announced.
- The ABBA committee cannot judge.
AWARDS 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.