The Queensland music industry and fans were out in force tonight as the State’s finest artists were honoured at the annual Queensland Music Awards.
Held at Brisbane’s Old Museum, the night belonged to new kids on the block Cub Scouts who picked up two awards including Song of the Year and the Pop Award for their song – “Do You Hear”.
Brisbane’s most loved troubadour Ben Salter collected the Album of The Year Award for his debut solo effort The Cat whilst Jeremy Neale picked up the Rock Award for “Winter Was The Time”.
Meanwhile, Kate Miller-Heidke once again picked up the Courier-Mail Most Popular Female Award – voted for by the public – Pete Murray collected the Courier-Mail Most Popular Male Award and The Grates were voted Most Popular Group.
Rising country music star Harmony James took out the Country Award, while Marialy Pacheco, who recently took out the prestigious solo pianist award at the Montreux Jazz Festival, received the Jazz Award.
International buzz band DZ Deathrays picked up the Export Achievement Award and the legendary Ed Kuepper was recognised for his contribution to the industry, honoured with the Grant McLennan Lifetime Achievement Award.
QMusic Executive Officer Denise Foley – whose organisation is behind the event – said the Awards gave much-needed recognition to Queensland’s established and emerging artists.
“These Awards are about turning the spotlight on Queensland artists making world class music, while discovering new talent from all corners of the State,” Ms Foley said.
The event also saw the announcement of the Arts Queensland’s $10,000 Billy Thorpe Scholarship which this year went to newcomers Astrid and The Asteroids.
Ball Park Music and Velociraptor performed live to a rapturous audience, tearing up the stage and showcasing the breadth of exhilarating talent the latest generation of Queensland musicians possess.
All the winning songs are featured online at the Queensland Music Awards website.
QUEENSLAND MUSIC AWARDS WINNERS 2012
School Award
You Could Be Happy – Sahara Beck
Indigenous Award
Red Roses – Sue Ray
Regional Award
Rainstorm – Jordan Brodie
Blues and Roots Award
Golden – Band of Frequencies
Children’s Music Award
The Hopping Mouse – The Lamplights
Country Award
Precious Little – Harmony James
Folk/Singer Songwriter
Raisin Heart – Mosman Alder
Urban Award
The Valley – Rainman
Electronic/Dance Award
M&R – Bec Laughton and Buré Godwin
Jazz Award
Dresden – Marialy Pacheco
World Music Award
Panini Fandango – Lüke
Rock Award
Winter Was the Time – Jeremy Neale
Heavy Award
Dawn to Rise – A Breach of Silence
Pop Award
Do You Hear – Cub Scouts
The Courier-Mail Most Popular Male Award
PETE MURRAY
The Courier-Mail Most Popular Female Award
KATE MILLER-HEIDKE
The Courier-Mail Most Popular Group Award
THE GRATES
The Grant McLennan Lifetime Achievement Award
ED KUEPPER
The Export Achievement Award
DZ DEATHRAYS
The Billy Thorpe Scholarship
ASTRID AND THE ASTEROIDS
Song of the Year
Do You Hear – CUB SCOUTS
Album of the Year
BEN SALTER – THE CAT