Shane Nicholson launches inaugural Americana Music Prize

Alt-country/Americana singer-songwriter Shane Nicholson has launched the inaugural Americana Music Prize of Australia to generate more activity for the genre in this country.

Its popularity is said to be bringing younger audiences into the country music field.

The Americana Music Association of Australia last year held its first conference over three days in Sydney last year.

Also last year saw the first of the Americana Music Honours showcase, held in Melbourne and promoted by promoter Michael Chugg, producer and manager Nash Chambers and the international Americana Music Association.

Meantime, the likes of Nicholson, Kasey Chambers, All Our Exes Live In Texas, Ruby Boots, Henry Wagons, Taasha Coates, Colin Hay, Sarah Carroll & The Left Wing, Little Wise, Liz Stringer, Innocent Eve, Sam Buckngham and Tenderfoot are among those making their presence felt in the US Americana scene.

Nicholson says of the Americana Music Prize, “We want to support, encourage, mentor and resource aspiring unsigned artists in the Americana/alt-country scene in Australia and this is a great way to kick start a career.”

Also partnering him in the initiative are Forbes Street Studios and record label Lost Highway Australia.

The Prize includes a $10,000 cash prize, as well as the recording, production and mixing of an EP by Nicholson.

There’ll be an opportunity to have the record distributed by Lost Highway Australia/Universal Music.

The prize also includes mastering, a photo shoot, art design, an electronic press kit, an artist bio, and consultation with artist management and tour promoter, and magazine editorials.

Full details of the music industry identities involved is available here.

Nicholson has picked as his judging panel Michael Taylor (Lost Highway/Universal), Tim Daley (Country Music Channel), Henry Wagons, Rod Yates (Editor, Rolling Stone), Brian Taranto (Love Police), journalist Bernard Zuel and Brian Wise, Chris Familton (Post To Wire), Tracey Griffiths (Dashville Skyline), Graham Thompson (artist manager), Matt Fell (record producer), Alison Avron (The Newsagency), Jeremy Dylan (filmmaker), Jane Gazzo  (Triple M) and Denise Hylands (RRR-Twang).

Entries close 5pm on Friday March 2.

The application process requires submission of a song demo, artist synopsis/overview, and other available material such as bio, photos, videos, etc.

The winner will be announced at Crossroads in the Vines country music festival on Saturday March 24.