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.

Image details: Jimmy Barnes Launches "Blue Hotel" served by picapp.com

Mahalia Barnes’ musical pedigree is impeccable. So as you’d expect, some of Australia’s biggest names appear on her debut album, Mahalia Barnes + The Soul Mates.

There’s her uncle Mark Lizotte, band buddy Mr Percival, pals Jade McRae and Daniel Mifsud, and that’s just for starters.

“They are my dear friends, but they are also my musical inspiration,” Mahalia told The Sunday Telegraph. “They are also great teachers and friends.”

Her dad Jimmy Barnes even pops up to show he can play some mean percussion.

“He taught me everything and it just so happens that he is the bet tambourine player I know, so it was really great to have him involved,” she said.

Mahalia Barnes + The Soul Mates hit stores on June 21.

Some of our finest R&B and hip hop talent took home gongs at the 2007 Australian and New Zealand Urban Music Awards, which were held in Sydney on Tuesday night.

While there are some great up and coming urban acts, the awards tended to honor the usual suspects. Guy Sebastian took home his third consecutive best R&B album award, while Jade McRae took home the best female artist for the second year in a row.

New Zealand’s Hilltop Heads were again named the best hip hop group. They also scored the best hip hop album for the smash hit, The Hard Road.

Phrase scored a doubler for “Hold On,” which was named best video clip and best hip hop single.

Repeat offender P-Money won his third award in two years, while Nino Brown proved he’s the king of the beats taking home back-to-back best Australian DJ trophies.

Kid Confucius, Israel, Tyree, and Justice & Kaos also took home awards on the night.

Image source: Hilltop Hoods media kit/Obese Records

Image details: Helpmann Awards - Arrivals served by picapp.com

Now in its third year, Deborah Conway’s traveling celebration of female music, Broad, is hitting the road again.

This time around rootsy Anne McCue, R&B diva Jade McRae, blues queen Abbe May, and folkster Sally Seltmann (aka New Buffalo) will join Ms Conway on stage.

The idea behind Broad is simple: put five eclectic local musos on stage together, and see what happens. The performers play their own material and a few choice cover versions, making the experience truly one to remember.

The concept may seem like a clever marketing ploy, and it is. Yet Broad’s goal is a deeper one, allowing women to play together and celebrate their craft.

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Do you fancy seeing some amazing live music, and supporting a great charity at the same time? Then you’ll want to head out to one of the fantastic Jamm 4 Genes gigs playing around Australia next week.

From Wednesday to Sunday, Aussie performers and some special international artists will raise money to support the Children’s Medical Research Institute. Bloc Party, The Screaming Jets, Glenn Shorrock, Jade McRae, The Angels, Jon Stevens, and Beccy Cole are just some of the big names scheduled to perform.

There are shows in every Australian state and territory, so there’s no excuse not to help out. Check out the Jamm 4 Genes website to see where the gigs are near you. Make sure you give generously and help make a difference!

Image source: Jamm 4 Genes website