APRA Honours Paul Kelly

Much loved Australian music icon Paul Kelly has honoured by APRA (Australasian Performing Right Association), who yesterday announced that he’s to be bestowed with the Ted Albert Award For Outstanding Services To Australian Music. He’s receive the gong at this year’s APRA Awards, set to be held at held at Carriageworks in Sydney on June 21.

Kelly’s 30 odd year career has seen him virtually gain sainthood amongst music fans in Australia for his work as a poet , author and songwriter. The award, which was created in honour of the memory of Australian musician, Ted Albert, is awarded to a music figure for their achievements in the industry, and previous winners include brothers Angus & Malcolm Young of AC/DC, music promoter Michael Chugg, the late country music icon Slim Dusty, record executive Dennis Handlin AM, jazz legend Don Burrows and indigenous songwriter Jimmy Little.

APRA|AMCOS CEO, Brett Cottle says “Ted Albert was a giant of the Australian music industry and a great champion of Australian music. Each year the APRA Board honours Ted’s memory by conferring an award on someone who has contributed immensely to Australian music,” said Cottle. “It is difficult to think of an Australian musician or songwriter of the past 30 years who has crafted more distinctly Australian music, with as much univeral appeal, as Paul Kelly. Paul embodies every attribute and achievement that the Ted Albert Award seeks to recognize.”