SYDNEY (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) – Veteran rock promoter Michael Chugg was recognized for his achievements when he was awarded the Ted Albert Award for Outstanding Services to Australian Music.
With over 40 years experience, Michael Chugg is one of the most prominent, respected and colorful promoters within Australian music and around the world. Considered to be a pioneer of the Australian music industry, he has been responsible organizing and promoting tours and events by such an impressive array of international artists that it would be impossible to list them all. His fundraising efforts have been nothing short of legendary. Michael Chugg is behind the annual Golden Stave Luncheon event, which raises money for various children’s charities and other deserving beneficiaries. Michael Chugg was also one of the key driving forces behind the mammoth charity concert event WAVEAID that raised over 2.3 million dollars to aid the Tsunami relief effort. A true Aussie music legend and diamond in the rough, we salute you Michael Chugg.
It was the songwriters' night of nights, the annual APRA Awards, but the big winners were elsewhere.
Singer-songwriter Missy Higgins took the main prize, song of the year, for her hit Scar, but she was in Britain touring. And rock band Jet picked up two titles at the Australasian Performing Right Association's gala Sydney event, including songwriters of the year, but they were in a Melbourne recording studio.
Voted by in excess of 15,000 Australian songwriters, at 21 years of age, Missy Higgins is the youngest ever songwriter to take out this major, peer voted award.
Singer Pete Murray won the most-performed Australian work for his song So Beautiful. He was a no-show as well. Even star turn Delta Goodrem, who was to have performed at the awards, lost her voice and pulled out at the last minute.
It was left to perennial favorite Kasey Chambers, who collected the most-performed country work gong for her track Like a River, and singer Danielle Spencer to add some glamour to the occasion.
Higgins also received a breakthrough award, following the success of her debut album, The Sound of White.
The 2005 APRA Music Awards were held in Sydney at the Four Seasons Hotel and hosted by Jonathan Biggins. The evening featured performances by KASEY CHAMBERS, ESKIMO JOE, EVERMORE, MELINDA SCHNEIDER, DANIEL MERRIWEATHER, DALLAS CRANE, TIM FREEDMAN and SARAH BLASKO.
Also in attendance were award presenters Peter Garrett, Harry Vanda and Billy Thorpe, while there were performances from The Whitlams' Tim Freedman and Perth pop band Eskimo Joe.
