The ROCKon song awards will encourage established and emerging song writers of all genres and levels to write original songs within a contemporary and commercial context.

The entrants will be judged by a panel of experts who have worked at the highest level in the Australian Music Business. Entries will be judged by Mark Opitz (renowned Australian record producer), Mark Callaghan (General Manager of the Australasian Music Publishers Association, formerly General Manager of Shock Music), Graham Buzz Bidstrup, (Manager/Record Producer/member of the Angels and GANGgajang), Bill Riner, (Music Programmer, ABC Local Radio Network ), and Stephen Green (Executive Programmer, Q Music 2008 Big Sound and music business consultant). All entries must comply with the Terms and Conditions of the awards.

The contest aims to foster creativity, an understanding of the commercial considerations of music business, and provide important feedback and information about songwriting and publishing to the participants through workshops at the Summit, where the expert panel will outline the reasons for their selections.

All categories of music outlined in the Terms and Conditions will be accepted and an overall winner will be selected. Highly commended finalists will have their songs played and be interviewed on 4RO, receive editorial coverage in The Morning Bulletin, and will be invited to perform showcase gigs during the summit. An encouragement award will be given to the best entrant under eighteen who show talent but need development and is not one of the finalists.

• Showcase performance as the support band to GANGgajang at the Pilbeam Theatre on Friday 10 July 2009.
• Winning song professionally recorded and produced
• Featured interviews and song played on 990 4RO
• "Starter Pack" sponsored by Q Music which includes a one year Q Music membership and a Q Music Action Plan and consultation with a music industry professional
• Digital distribution package sponsored by Musicadium
• Introduction to major publishing and record companies

• Opportunity to do showcase gigs as part of ROCKon
• Featured interviews and song played on 990 4RO
• Editorial coverage in The Morning Bulletin
• Introduction to major publishing and record companies

Eligible to eighteen years and under only

• Invitation to participate in an afternoon workshop with CQUniversity Jazz and Contemporary Music staff and students.
• Editorial coverage in The Morning Bulletin and interviews on 990 4RO

View Terms and Conditions