2008 Award Winners Announced

Australian Blues Music Awards

MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release

2008 Award Winners Announced

The Awards to recognise excellence in Australian Blues Music, were presented last night (Thursday 7 February) at the Tattersalls Hotel in Goulburn NSW as a part of the official opening of the 12^th annual Australian Blues Music Festival. Performances on the night were by Stingray (WA), Natural Ball (QLD) and Collard Greens and Gravy (VIC).

The Awards, which are independent of the Australian Blues Music Festival and named after Chain, the only blues band to have had a national number one hit in Australia are recognised as the industry's most prestigious honour and are presented each year to recognise excellence in blues music in Australia.

To coincide with the Awards, the National Press Club of Australia, one of Australia's premier blues rooms, hosted a satellite 'Chain' Awards for those that were unable to make it to Goulburn on the night. Nominated in six of the seven categories, and winners of Song of the Year and Duo or Group of the Year, Chase The Sun performed to an eager and very appreciative audience. They were supported by the Young Guns - Tom Richardson, Jonno Zilber and Jason Lowe who will be appearing at the 2008 Festival over the weekend.

'The quality and range of applications received for the 2008 Awards were extremely diverse and competition was fierce', Ms Dawson said. 'The seven judges from across Australia had a tough job this year, with a total of 128 nominations received across all categories, and with rejudging required in two of the categories because equal marks had been awarded'.

Australian Blues Music 'Chain' Awards were presented for: Song of the Year, Album of the Year, Best New Talent, Female Vocalist of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, Duo or Group of the Year and Producer of the Year.

'Whilst the judging panel for the Awards is completely independent of the selection panel for the Festival, it gives a strong indication of the quality of the performers appearing at the Australian Blues Music Festival, as a number of the winners and finalists are playing at the Festival this weekend, or have played here in the past', Ms Dawson said. 'With the likes of new talent such as Gail Page and Chase The Sun as finalists in six of the seven categories and both taking home a host of awards, the future of the industry is in safe hands'.

The winners for 2008 are:

SONG OF THE YEAR

WINNER - 'You Gotta Go' by Chase The Sun (Album: Chase The Sun)

Finalists:

·'Through The Fire' by Gail Page (Album: Colours That Run)

·'Play Me Sumthin New' by Hat Fitz (Album: Play Me Sumthin New)

·'Dead End Road' by Joe Galea Band (Album: Hiding Under Cover)

ALBUM OF THE YEAR

WINNER - Way Down The River by Sugarcane Collins

Finalists:

· Chase The Sun by Chase The Sun

· Colours That Run by Gail Page

· Hiding Under Cover by Joe Galea Band

DUO OR GROUP OF THE YEAR

WINNER - Chase The Sun for 'You Gotta Go' (Album: Chase The Sun)

Finalists:

· Gail Page and Parris Macleod for 'Without You Here' (Album: Colours That Run)

· Kate Meehan and Skip Landy for 'It Ain't Like It Is' (Album: Pocketful of Blues)

· Steve Romig and Mike Kelly for 'Way Down Homeless Blues' (Album: The Friday Sessions)

FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

WINNER - Gail Page with 'Through The Fire' (Album: Colours That Run)

Finalists:

· Anni Piper with 'More I Keep on Losing' (Album: Texas Hold 'Em)

· Jan Preston with 'The Big Beat' (Album: Boogie Boots)

· Kate Meehan with 'I'm A Woman' (Album: Pocketful of Blues)

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

WINNER - Tim Gaze (Tim Gaze and Rob Grosser) with 'Voodoo Chile' (Album: River City Blues)

Finalists:

· Jan Rynsaardt (Chase The Sun) with 'Gypsy Woman' (Album: Chase The Sun)

· Pugsley Buzzard with 'Hammer These Tongs' (Album: Hammer These Tongs)

· Ash Dilorenzo (The Lyman Debut) with 'Annie Roadside' (Album: Blue Harvest)

NEW TALENT OF THE YEAR

WINNER - Gail Page with 'Shape I'm In' (Album: Colours That Run)

Finalists:

· Chase The Sun with 'You Gotta Go' (Album: Chase The Sun)

· Heather Frahn Trio with 'Gracious' (Album: Synergy)

· Marshall and the Fro with 'Soldiers' (Album: Marshall and the Fro)

PRODUCER OF THE YEAR

WINNER - Parris Macleod for the Gail Page album Colours That Run

Finalists:

· Ryan Van Gennip for Chase The Sun's self-titled album Chase The Sun

· Sugarcane Collins for his self produced album Way Down The River

· Tim Gaze and Rob Grosser for their self produced album River City Blues

[ENDS]
8 February 2008

Media Enquiries : Please contact Sarah Dawson, Australian Blues Music Awards Administrator on (02) 4823 4492 or 0419 491 280.

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