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

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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