Jetty Road, The Prairie Oysters and Katrina Burgoyne took home their share of a $35,000 prize pool from the Australian Independent Artists’ Development Awards, (‘the AIADAs’) held at Rooty Hill RSL on October 15.The a

wards ceremony for Australia’s richest country music competition, that recognises professional excellence in Australia’s indie country music scene, was the culmination of a four-day Total Country Weekend event held at the Club.

Rooty Hill RSL provided $35,000 in cash prizes - making it Australia’s richest prize pool for country music awards – and the competition attracted a stellar list of entrants from across Australia across all three awards categories. Hosted by comedian and ventriloquist Darren Carr and singer-songwriter Tamara Stewart, the 2011 AIADAs celebrated indie country music while raising funds for Generation Country. 

Who won at the 2011 AIADAs

• Jetty Road (VIC) was named 2011 AIADA Professional Development Award winner and received a $20,000 cash prize;

• The Prairie Oysters (VIC) were named 2011 AIADA People’s Choice Award winner, as voted for online by the Australian public, and received a $10,000 cash prize; and

• Katrina Burgoyne (Copacabana, NSW) was named 2011 AIADA Video of the Year Award winner for her video “Ghost” and received a $5,000 cash prize.

The evening featured performances by 2010 Golden Saddles winner Tracy Killeen, Jetty Road, Katrina Burgoyne, Markus Meier, Pete Denahy, Rose Carleo, Tori Darke, Aleyce Simmonds, Jackie Dee and The Prairie Oysters.

Rooty Hill RSL’s chief executive officer, Richard Errington, describing the Club’s support for indie country music artists said: “We decided to offer Australia’s largest prize pool for indie country music artists to recognise and nurture the talent of communities not just at our doorstep, but from right around the country. The AIADA finalists travelled from far and wide – from Yackandandah and Gladysdale in Victoria, Neika in Tasmania and Finch Hatton in Queensland.” 

Proudly supporting country music Rooty Hill RSL Club is a proud supporter of country music with new Country Rock/Pop artists performing at the Club on Thursday nights every fortnight.