Pioneering Indigenous artist Bart Willoughby is the recipient of the 2024 Ted Albert Award for outstanding service to Australian music.
The prestigious accolade will be presented at the 2024 APRA Music Awards, which will be held on May 1 at the ICC Sydney, Gadigal Land.
Willoughby was a founding member and the driving force behind No Fixed Address, Australia's first and arguably most influential First Nations reggae-rock band and the first Aboriginal band to sign a major deal.
The group's 1981 protest song 'We Have Survived' continues to resonate and is preserved in Australia's National Film and Sound Archive.
“Willoughby's fusion of reggae with traditional Indigenous influences is a testament to the richness and diversity of Australia's original cultural identity,” the PRO said in a statement. “His illustrious career has garnered many accolades, yet his influence extends beyond music, including roles as a cultural ambassador, master storyteller, nurturing mentor and steadfast advocate for truth in Indigenous communities nationwide.”
The Ted Albert Award is one of the Australian music industry's highest awards and is decided by the APRA Council of Writers and Publishers Directors.
Previous recipients include the late Mushroom Group chairman Michael Gudinski, Paul Kelly, The Seekers, Cold Chisel, former Alberts chief executive Fifa Riccobono and last year's honouree, Colin Hay of Men at Work.
“I am very proud to receive the Ted Albert Award for my services to Australian music,” comments Willoughby, a Kokatha and Mirning man. “The best advice I received as a young musician was from Aunt Leila Rankin at CASM while I was busy practicing. he kindly opened the door and forced me out saying “I'll learn my craft on the road, it's been a long road.”
Ahead of this year's APRAs, Taylor Swift and co-writer Jack Antonoff won international work for most performances for “Anti-Hero,” the hit single from her chart-topping 10th studio album. Midnight. “Anti-Hero” wins from a short list that included songs by Ed Sheeran, Miley Cyrus, Sam Smith and David Guetta.
As previously mentioned, Sarah Aarons leads the pack heading into the 2024 APRAs, with Troye Sivan, Budjerah, Ainslie Wills, Styalz Fuego, Amy Shark, The Kid LAROI, James Johnston and MAY-A close behind.
Established in 1982, the Australasian Performing Right Association's annual songwriters' ceremony is one of the Australian music industry's most treasured events, a worthy counterpart to the UK's Ivor Novello Awards.
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/no-fixed-address-bart-willoughby-australia-ted-albert-award-1235658566/
