APRA Music Awards recognise Australian Calisthenic Federation

Music licencing bodies APRA AMCOS has acknowledged the Australian Calisthenic Federation (ACF) as its 2024 Licensee of the Year.

Recognising and rewarding the contribution of licensees as good music citizens, the award takes into account the role of ACF (which develops, administers and co-ordinates the unique Australian sport of Calisthenics) in actively promoting OneMusic to their members, including the importance of ensuring composers are paid when their music is used.

Announced in advance of the 2024 APRA Music Awards being held on Wednesday 1st May at ICC Sydney, it was also announced that the Ted Albert Award for Outstanding Services to Australian Music will be presented to trailblazing drummer, songwriter, singer, actor, educator and artist Bart Willoughby.

As a founding member, Kokatha and Mirning man Willoughby was the driving force behind No Fixed Address, Australia's first and arguably most influential First Nations reggae-rock band. They etched their place in history as the first Aboriginal band to secure a major label deal, were championed by Tina Turner and shared stages with icons such as The Clash, Ian Dury, Peter Tosh, and Cold Chisel. Their anthem of resilience, We Have Survived, which still resonates profoundly, is enshrined in the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia. Willoughby’s fusion of reggae with traditional Indigenous influences is a testament to the richness and diversity of Australia’s original cultural identity.

Welcoming receipt of the award, Willoughby commented “I am very proud to receive the Ted Albert Award for my services to Australian Music.

“The best advice I received as a young musician was from Aunty Leila Rankin at CASM whilst I was preoccupied practising; she kindly opened the door and forced me out telling me ‘I’ll learn my craft on the road, it’s been a Long Road.’ Compassion. I am something else now. All you have to do is put the black bits and the white bits together. I’m on a road of destiny. I wake up as it starts to begin. That’s when you know you’re riding the wave. It’s part of destiny. That’s when you know you’ve found what you’ve looking for.”

With a manifesto that’s as infectious as it is irresistible, alt-electronic music outfit Haiku Hands will perform at the 2024 APRA Music Awards.

Also joining the performance line-up is dynamic six-piece band, Sweet Talk, known for infusing their music with vintage influences and redefining them into something uniquely their own.

With their rough and tumble brand of jangling rock and roll, Adelaide band Bad//Dreems will hit the stage off the back of fourth album Hoo Ha!. Stepping onto the Awards stage for the first time is Ashli, whose acclaimed EP Only One not only marked her debut but also garnered her a nomination for Best Independent Soul/R&B Album or EP at the 2023 AIR Awards. Independent global music powerhouse Cub Sport will bring their pop classicism and joyous energy to the APRA stage off the back of their ground-breaking album Jesus at the Gay Bar.

Taylor Swift and co-writer Jack Antonoff have taken out Most Performed International Work for Anti-Hero, the smash hit lead single from her 10th studio album, Midnights.

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Images: Australian Calisthenic Federation (top) and Bart Willoughby (below). Supplied.