Sydney, AU. (Australian Gospel
Music Association) - The late
Peter Dodds McCormack, the composer of the "Advance Australia Fair" was awarded the Yamaha Golden Gospel Award for services to the music industry in Canberra today. This one of several awards is given in recognition of the unique Australian Christian music sector that has seen strong growth over recent years.
Whilst well known as the composer of the Australian National Anthem, Peter Dodds McCormack (1835-1916) was also a prolific songwriter, arranger and presenter of the Presbyterian Church. In this role he was responsible for forming church choirs across Australia, often against the very conservative elders of the period. In fact his efforts resulted in a world record when he conducted some 10,000 children and 1,000 teachers at the Raikes Sunday school Centenary in 1880 in Sydney. He was highly considered by many as the father of church choirs in Australia.
This is the first time a posthumous award has been made at the Australian Gospel Music Awards. Previous Yamaha Golden Gospel Award winners have included Jimmy Little, Sister Janet Mead and Francine Bell.
And in recognition of having the fastest selling Australian singles and the highest selling single in Australia of all time with "The Prayer," Anthony Callea was awarded the "Outstanding Achievement Award." Anthony was previously awarded an ARIA for the highest sales for this song which continues to receive wide airplay and is an excellent blending of a quality emotive tenor with a classic faith composition.
Amongst other awards, the Best Gospel Song went to "The Yearning" by Geoffrey Robertson, with runner up being "The Greatest Story Ever Told" by Wendy Cochrane. Other highlights included Best Lyrics to world famous a Capella quartet The Idea Of North's Trish Delaney Brown for "Prayer For Peace," rising R&B artist Skylla (a member of girl group "Sheeq") with Best Music for her CD title track "Trials Of Your Faith", and Col Joye protégé and praise and worship songwriter, Jim Peters with the Judges Commendation Award for "I Have Decided."
The Best Gospel Song 2007 in the Youth category was awarded to 18-year-old Albury bred Daniel Brinsmead (NSW), who wrote the song "Look Up" dedicated to his grandmother and was present at the awards.
For the third year running, Hillsong Church won the Best Independent Recording Artist Award for its domination of sales and airplay over the year.
The Australian Gospel Music Awards are presented every year by the Australian Gospel Music Association. The awards, also affectionately known as the "Angels," cover industry performance (sales/airplay), songwritting, genre and lifetime achievement and are the highpoint of recognition within the Australian Christian music industry.
Award details indicating winners and their respective home states are provided below:
Open Awards
� Yamaha Golden Gospel Award 2006 - Peter Dodds McCormack
� Best Independent Recording Artist - Hillsong Church
� Outstanding Artist Achievement - Anthony Callea - "The Prayer"
� Best Gospel Song 2006 - The Yearning - Geoffrey Robertson (QLD)
� Best Gospel Song Runner Up 2006 - The Greatest Story Ever Told - Wendy Cochrane (QLD)
� Best Gospel Song Lyrics 2006 -Prayer For Peace - Trish Delaney-Brown (NSW)
� Best Gospel Song Music 2006 - Trials Of Your Faith - Skylla Halstead (VIC)
� Best Gospel Song Judges Commendation 2006 - I Have Decided - Jim Peters (NSW)
� Best Gospel Song Youth 2006 - Look Up - Daniel Brinsmead (NSW)
Genre Awards
� Best Blues Gospel Song 2006 - Anything For You - Christian Jordan (QLD)
� Best Children's Gospel Song 2006 - He's Good - Michelle Gray (QLD)
� Best Country Gospel Song 2006 - The Greatest Story Ever Told - Wendy Cochrane (QLD)
� Best Folk Gospel Song 2006 - The Yearning - Geoffrey Robertson (QLD)
� Best Gospel Hymn 2006 - My Soul Find Rest - Trish Delaney-Brown (NSW)
� Best Indigenous Gospel Song 2006 - Mayatju Ngayulu - Sabrina Campbell (NT)
� Best Jazz/Fusion Gospel Song 2006 - Prayer For Peace - Trish Delaney-Brown (NSW)
� Best Pop Gospel Song 2006 - A Brand New Day - Teresa Bearsley (WA)
� Best Praise & Worship Gospel Song 2006 - I Have Decided - Jim Peters (NSW)
� Best Rock Gospel Song 2006 - These Days - Tyler Hall, David Hanbury, Rich Thompson, Mike Tenkate (NSW)
� Best Urban Gospel Song 2006 - Trials Of Your Faith - Skylla Halstead (VIC)
