NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN!

Lindsay Waddington Music is proud to celebrate the fourth year of the Thornton Young Award, an initiative dedicated to discovering and promoting new talent in Australian bush and heritage music. Named in honour of two iconic figures in the Australian country music industry, Barry Thornton and Brian Young, the award aims to support and nurture the next generation of Australian balladeers.

As an artist and musician who has toured extensively around the world, Lindsay Waddington has come to deeply appreciate the uniqueness and cultural richness of Australian bush and heritage music. He firmly believes that this distinct genre has the power to resonate with global audiences and hopes to see the rise of the next Slim Dusty or John Williamson - artists who will carry forward the tradition of sharing the heart and soul of Australia through song.

The Thornton Young Award was conceived by Lindsay Waddington and presented to the CMAA (Country Music Association of Australia) board in 2022. The concept was met with great enthusiasm and support, leading to its official endorsement. The award aims to discover a new Australian balladeer each year and provide them with the necessary resources to further their career in the industry. 

The winner of the Thornton Young Award will have the opportunity to record and master a new original song with some of Australia's finest session musicians, ensuring the highest quality production. In addition, they will receive a professional studio film clip and photo shoot for effective marketing purposes. The winning track will also benefit from radio distribution, increasing its reach and exposure to a wider audience. 

Lindsay Waddington Music is committed to fostering and supporting the growth of Australian bush/heritage music. By establishing the Thornton Young Award, they aim to encourage aspiring artists to explore and celebrate the unique musical traditions of our country, while paying tribute to the legacy of Barry Thornton and Brian Young, who dedicated their lives to nurturing young talent in the country music industry.

The Prize Package: 

* Lindsay Waddington Music will fund a new recording of an original song to master stage, at LWM House studio at the Gold Coast (QLD), produced by Lindsay Waddington and featuring some of Australia’s finest country session musicians. 

* Lindsay Waddington Music will also produce and fund a studio video clip for the single and will arrange the digital release and distribution to radio.

* A unique trophy shall be awarded to the winner of the Thornton Young Award. 

* In addition, the CMAA will provide a complimentary one-year professional membership of the CMAA and free entry in the Country Music Awards of Australia (Golden Guitar Awards) for that eligibility year. 

* The winner of the Thornton Young Award will be formally announced and awarded during the “Back to the Bush” concert in Bicentennial Park Tamworth 2027. 

* Following the release of the awarded single, the winner will be offered a performance opportunity in Tamworth on the Back to the Bush Concert plus other opportunities that may arise.

Important Dates;
Nominations Open 12th October and close 9th November 2026

Click here to Nominate!