The TIARA Awards 2009
The Tamworth Independent Artist Recognition Awards were inaugurated in 1998 by a group of Tamworth based musicians, performers and industry based individuals. They saw that a number of artists were overlooked by some sectors of the Country Music Industry and hence felt they should be recognised for their considerable talents and achievements.
These awards are for the grass roots sector of the Australian Country Music Industry, which happens to be around 90% of performers today. There are only a very small number of “BIG” name artists who have the prestige and backing that goes with it. The remainder are those artists who work two, three, four and five nights a week taking their music to the people to raise the finance to record their own album/mini-album or single and then organise distribution and sales of their final product.
Independent artist are more often found setting up in a corner of the local bar in the local pub on the corner or singing at a local bowling club. Some draw their inspiration from the great Australian showmen of yester year or from the pioneers of American Country Music. It is for these people the TIARAS have been created.
The TIARA Awards 2009 will be held at the new Capital Theatre in Tamworth on Tuesday, 20th January at 8pm.