THE HUNT BEGINS AGAIN FOR QUEENSLAND 'S BEST SONGS
The search is on once again to discover Queensland 's best songwriters, with the the forth annual Q SONG AWARDS just around the corner.
Over the past 50 years, Queensland has produced some of the finest songwriters in not just the country, but the world. From Keith Urban to Grant McLennan, Pete Murray and Powderfinger, to up and comers The Gin Club, Queensland 's music stands tall on the world stage.
Proudly supported by Q Music, The Courier-Mail, 612 ABC Brisbane and ABC Local Radio Queensland , Q Song 2009 is a statewide search for our best and most innovative songwriters.
$25,000 in cash and prizes will be up for grabs across 23 categories covering everything from rock and pop to jazz, blues and roots, hip-hop, electronic/dance, alternative, country, ballads, metal, punk, indigenous and world music.
Q Song 2009 is open to all unpublished songwriters, with the winner of each category going into the running to collect the Song of the Year award.
What's more, the state's music fans will have the chance to walk away with a $5000 prize just by voting in the Courier-Mail People's Choice Award.
James Grehan, winner of the 2008 Courier-Mail People's Choice Award
Since its inauguration, in 2006, Q Song has attracted over 10, 000 entries. With each year, the awards continue to strengthen, in both the number and caliber of its entries.
Q Music President, Professor Julian Knowles, said “Q Song is about more than just rewarding our established songwriters. These awards aim to encourage and foster the state's finest new and emerging artists."
Q Song recognises excellence in songwriting at all levels. The Awards are open to all unpublished Queensland songwriters (artists who hold their own copyright), with the exception of the Published Song of the Year and Lifetime Achievement categories (these categories facilitate published song writers—ie. Robert Forster, Pete Murray, etc).
Q Song is an initiative of the Queensland Music Network Inc – Queensland 's leading contemporary music office for more than a decade.
Entries open on Monday March 30 and have been extended to close Friday May 29 2009, with finalists announced on Tuesday June 30.
Winners will be announced at the Q Song Awards Ceremony on August 11, 2009 to be held at The Tivoli, Fortitude Valley.
For the first time, entrants will be able to submit songs online for entry into Q Song 2009! Information regarding entering Q Song will be available from March 30th at www.qmusic.com.au/qsong
A full list of 2008 finalists and winners is available from www.qmusic.com.au/qsong
To receive updates on Q Song 2009 and other music news via email, be sure to sign up to Q Music's Broadcast e-newsletter.
MEDIA INQUIRES: DAN LEWIS and JIM BUDD- P: (07) 3257 0013