“The opportunities the One Movement for Music scholarship brings are the sort most musicians can only dream about. I wish Lee the very best of luck making the most of this brilliant kick-start to his career,” Mr Walker said.
As the scholarship winner Morgan will receive major development opportunities including the chance to record a full album with a professional producer and manufacturing, distribution and marketing. Album distribution is supported by Skinnyfish Music and MGM Distribution.
Morgan was chosen from five indigenous artists/bands by a selection panel that included Mark Grose (Managing Director, Skinnyfish Music and manager of Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu), Alan Pigram (Pigram Brothers), Shane Howard (Goanna Music) and Rhoda Roberts (Artistic Director The Dreaming Festival).
Lee “Sonnyboy” Morgan, from the Gunditjmara Kirrae Whurrong clan from the south west of Victoria has performed and appeared on many albums as a guitar-gun for hire with some of Australia’s legendary musical talents including Shane Howard, Archie Roach, Rubie Hunter, Jessica Mauboy, Dean Geyer and The Mary G Show.
“It’s exciting that One Movement Festival recognises the importance of hosting such a positive platform for Indigenous artists from all around Australia to participate in, and to share their music and stories with others,” Morgan said of his win. “All of the other participants were great people and performed wonderful music. The judges took it all very seriously, as we all did, and were generous with their knowledge and support. I’m extremely grateful for the amazing opportunities not only the prizes will bring but the chance for people to hear what I’ve got to say. It’s really come at a great time for me."
As part of its commitment to fostering new talent, OMFM, in partnership with the Western Australian Department of Indigenous Affairs, founded the Australian Indigenous Music Scholarship (AIMS). State winners for this ground-breaking program for Australian Indigenous musicians included: Western Australia – Thaylia, Queensland – Max Judo, New South Wales – Brothablack, Victoria – Lee Morgan and South Australia – The MERRg. Each act performed at the One Movement Showcase Music Festival at the weekend and received studio mentorship by a professional producer.
AIMS is a pioneering partnership between OMFM, Western Australia’s Department of Indigenous Affairs, Skinnyfish Music and MGM Distribution, and is supported by the Victorian, Queensland, New South Wales and South Australian state governments, through their corresponding arts departments via direct support of participating artists.
OMFM invited indigenous artists from across Australia to apply to participate in the scholarship, receiving many amazing submissions. The scholarship will return for OMFM 2010.
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Author: World Music Central News Room
World music news from the editors at World Music Central
