The annual 2011 AIADAs, formerly known as the Golden Saddle Awards, are independent country music’s richest annual awards. Three major prizes are awarded to independent country music artists, including The Professional Development Award ($20,000), The People’s Choice Award ($10,000) and Music Video of the Year Award ($5,000).
Independent country music artists can enter the 2011 AIADAs via the Total Country website. Entries must be submitted by 12 midnight on Sunday 24th July.
Public voting for the People’s Choice Award opens on 25th July and runs until 1st September at 12 midday. The six artists with the highest number of votes will move into the second round of voting, and be named as the six finalists in the AIADA People’s Choice Award.
The official AIADA concert is held on Saturday 15th October at Rooty Hill RSL Club. The AIADAs are part of the four-day Total Country Weekend that begins on evening of Thursday 13th October.
The AIAIDA concert on 15th October will see performances by a selection of the finalists, plus the winners of the 2010 Golden Saddle Award, Tracey Killeen, and the 2010 People’s Choice Award winner, Tori Darke. Winners of the 2011 AIADAs will be announced at the concert’s conclusion. Tickets go on sale on 2nd September.
The AIADAs are the main fundraising event for the Australian Independent Artists’ Development Organisation’s (AIADO) youth mentoring program, Generation Country, which provides access to music-making projects and a national performance program that includes a competition. The full $35 entry fee to the AIADAs will go to AIADO.