Sony Music Australia & New Zealand chairman and CEO Denis Handlin will receive the Ted Albert Award for Outstanding Service to Australian Music at this year’s APRA Awards.

Denis has seen the careers of Midnight Oil, Savage Garden, Guy Sebastian, Men at Work, Delta Goodrem, and more flourish. he also started The Sony Foundation, an organisation which has raised more than $12 million for charity.

APRA CEO Brett Cottle said “Denis’ name has been synonymous with the success of some of Australia’s best loved acts over the past 25 years. His driving leadership and unstinting support of Australian music artists has helped shape our modern music landscape. A true advocate for Australian music, it is fitting that his influence is recognised in this way. On behalf of the APRA Board, we congratulate you.”

“I am truly humbled and honoured by this recognition from APRA. To be recognised by industry peers and in this case particularly from songwriters and music publishers, is very special indeed,” he said in a statement.

“I have the deepest respect and admiration for Ted Albert. He was one of the real founders of the modern Australian music industry and a great champion of songwriters and artists. I first met him when I was a very young MD in the 80s and he has always been a great influence on me.”

The 2009 APRA Awards will be held on June 23 at The Peninsula in Melbourne. It will screen on MAX on July 5.

Image source: APRA website

Image details: 2008 APRA Music Awards served by picapp.com

Last night Daniel Johns became the first person in history to win three APRA Awards in one year.

The Silverchair frontman was named Songwriter of the Year for the number one hit “Straight Lines,” which also won Song of the Year and Most Played Australian Work gongs.

The other awards showed the diversity of Australia’s musical landscape. Melbourne’s Sally Seltmann won the Breakthrough Songwriter title for “1, 2, 3, 4,” the monster song made famous by Feist.

The Rogue Traders took home the Dance Work of the Year award for “In Love Again” while John Butler bagged the Blues and Roots gong for “Good Excuse.” Troy Casser-Daley’s song “Everything’s Gonna Be Alright” proved to be somewhat prophetic, as it helped the singer bag the Country Work of the Year title. Jade McCrae proved she’s one of Australia’s brightest stars, taking home the Urban Work of the Year award for “In the Basement.”

Manager extraordinaire Roger Davies was awarded the Ted Albert Award for Outstanding Services to Australian Music.

Could a Canadian snag the Australian Song of the Year Award? They just might, after the song “1, 2, 3, 4″ penned by Canadian singer Feist and Aussie girl Sally Seltmann was nominated for the APRA song of the year award.

But the dynamic duo will face stuff competition from Silverchair’s “Straight Lines,” Powderfinger’s “Lost and Running,” The John Butler Trio’s “Better Than,” and Thirsty Merc’s “20 Good Reasons.”

“1, 2, 3, 4″ has already been nominated for a Grammy and won Canadian song of the year, but Sally said this nomination has the greatest personal significance.

“This one probably involves me quite a bit more than the other awards because it is for the songwriting,” she told AAP.

“It’s nice to think you get some recognition for something that you’ve worked on.”

The nominations were announced in Sydney this morning. The John Butler Trio led the charge with three nominations. They’re also up for the blues and roots award for “Good Excuse” and “Funky Tonight.”

The winners will be announced at the APRA Awards in Sydney on June 16.

Image source: Soft Revolution @ Flickr