17/12/2024
AUSTRALIAN MEDIA VOTE FOR MOST PLAYED ARTISTS ON RADIO
(c) Global Artist Network
The Gold Medallion Media Awards have been running since their introduction to the country music landscape 21 years ago. They are the only country music award structure in Australia that allows members of the coveted media to vote for their most aired artists on their radio programme and station.
This formula has been truly successful and well received in Australia since its inception, honouring all artists from new talent to independent artists and artists with major label backing. It is exciting that the finalists always feature artists from all sectors and sub-genres of our incredible music industry.
2024 once again delivers that musical diversity we have come to expect from our members of country radio and we thank all presenters who made the time to cast their vote selecting the most aired National Male Vocalists of the Year, Andy Penkow, Craig Lloyd, Jason Vorherr, Larry Cann and Lee Kernaghan and the National Female Vocalists of the Year, enjoying the most airplay across the nation, are Alice Benfer, Carol Chaney, Dianne Coombes, Sandy Summers and Shaza Leigh.
The National Musician of the Year features the who's who of specialist solo instrumentalists in Australia, Anthony Baxter, Lance Birrell, Lindsay Butler, Peggy Gilchrist, Pixie Jenkins and Ashley Cook, Col Thomson, Dianne Lindsay, Greg Bain and Tom Maxwell are undoubtedly amongst the best Bush Balladeers in the nation and they all come head to head for the National Bush Balladeer of the Year title.
In recent years some outstanding bands and duos have hit the country music scene and it is wonderful to see many of those established working groups and duos making the cut for National Group/Duo of the Year, Highway 95, Hope River Road, Patsy & Dave, The Silverline and Viper Creek Band.
The Australian categories are rounded out by the National Inspirational/Gospel Artist of the Year, amongst the finalists are our leading exponents of this genre, Don Allen, Kerrigan La-Brooy, Rick Ferrett, Shane Edwards, Shaza Leigh and our New Talents making waves in 2024 are Highway 95, Hope River Road, Lucy Parle, McKenzie Lee and Shane Edwards contesting National New Talent of the Year.
The introduction of the International Artist of the Year has exposed new comers to the Aussie airwaves enjoying widespread airplay when releasing singles to Australian radio. Congratulations to the 2024 internationals, Beverly Brown Simms, Billy Gregg, Chris Bannister, Garrett Gregory and Levi Coby.
NATIONAL MALE ARTIST of the Year and NATIONAL FEMALE ARTIST of the Year are the highest polling Male and Female Artist across all categories. Winners of each catergory will be announced in the new year but the depth and quality of talent in this years finalists shows that Australian Country Music Industry is the winner with so much great music being released.
