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A PDF of this announcement can be found in the Media Centre section of this website.
With the ARIA HALL OF FAME just a week away, event organisers are delighted to announce details of the host, inductors, special guest performers AND a long overdue industry inductee who will take to the stage at Melbourne's Plaza Ballroom (Regent Theatre) on WEDNESDAY, JULY 18. The 2007 event, which will pay tribute to HOODOO GURUS, MARCIA HINES, FRANK IFIELD, BRIAN CADD, RADIO BIRDMAN and JO JO ZEP AND THE FALCONS will be broadcast exclusively on Vh1 (available on channel 810 on subscription television Foxtel, Optus and Austar) on SUNDAY, JULY 22 from 7.30PM.
In addition to the six inductees, ARIA (Australian Recording Industry Association) is proud to announce that manager, record company executive, concert promoter, music publisher and artist advocate JOHN WOODRUFF will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2007 ARIA HALL OF FAME event on Wednesday July 18th at Melbourne's Plaza Ballroom (Regent Theatre).
Awarded at the discretion of the ARIA Board, the Lifetime Achievement Award is primarily about recognizing shape shifters - industry players rather than musicians who have made a significant and profound contribution to Australian music and the Australian music industry. Previous recipients include Ted Albert, Daryl Somers, Stan Rofe, Ian Meldrum, Michael Gudinski, Ron Tudor, Bill Armstrong and Charles Fisher. Now John Woodruff becomes the next recipient to be bestowed this prestigious honour before his peers.
John Woodruff commenced his career in Adelaide and has been responsible for nurturing some of Australia's greatest music talents from the beginning of their careers to international heights, among them The Angels, Icehouse, Johnny Diesel and the Injectors, Baby Animals and the world breaking, chart topping Savage Garden. In his current ventures he is actively involved in the development of another generation of stars on the world stage including Evermore, Butterfly Effect, Kisschasy and Small Mercies.
In the late 1970s John Woodruff, together with Ray Hearn and Rod Willis, formed Dirty Pool Artist Management. Dirty Pool was responsible for changing the power and leverage from venue owners back to the artists. Previously performers were only paid on a minimal fee basis and the venue promoter took most of the money. By changing the system, John brought balance and fairness in remuneration between the parties.
Before the advent of the current trend of downloading music files legally and illegally, John was at the forefront of presenting a forum at Parliament House in Canberra to demonstrate how artists' rights could be damaged by such activities. As a result, changes were made to the copyright act in regard to digital rights, which protect artists to some degree to this day. His foresight in such areas as this led to the formation of The Music Managers Forum of which he was a founding member. The organisation has since grown to become an international body, the International Music Managers Forum (IMMF), that allows artist managers from around the globe to discuss changes in various territories and business sectors to the betterment of their artists and also to act as a lobby group for performers.
John Woodruff's list of credentials is long and impressive and also includes being the founder and co-publisher of Australia's only music industry trade magazine, The Music Network. Since being informed of this honour, I have come to realise more and more with every passing day, just how much it means to me personally and to the wonderful people around me. I am humbled and deeply moved. It's a great feeling that 'you know what, somebody did notice'. I've often said that I am the luckiest bastard alive, and this just goes further to prove it', said John Woodruff.
Denis Handlin AM, ARIA Chairman and long time friend of John's said: Woody is one of the best blokes I've ever met both professionally and personally. His contribution to the industry is truly remarkable. It's been a real pleasure to be part of the incredible journey so far. Woody - 'I'm glad I bought the ticket!'.
Rockwiz hostess with the mostest, JULIA ZEMIRO will host the 2007 ARIA HALL OF FAME event. A regular face on television via Good News Week (ABC TV), as a performer/writer on the sketch comedy show Totally Full Frontal, and more recently The Great BBQ Challenge for The LifeStyle Channel, Song For The Socceroos for SBS, presenting at the 2005 ARIA Awards and Ten's hit show Thank God You're Here, this will be her first time in the hot seat for this dedicated event. Citing US Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame inductee Bruce Springsteen as her first love, comedienne, actor and all round entertainer, JULIA ZEMIRO will bring her unique talent and her wonderful knowledge and empathy for Australian music to the ARIA HALL OF FAME.
Taking on induction honours for the 2007 HALL OF FAME event is a group of performers who are widely respected in their own right. This Sporting Life's HG NELSON will step up the plate to induct HOODOO GURUS while JIMMY BARNES will induct BRIAN CADD. Super agent HARRY M MILLER, who staged the production of Hair, will fittingly induct MARCIA HINES, and self-proclaimed Birdman fan DANIEL JOHNS will induct RADIO BIRDMAN.
As always, the live music at the ARIA HALL OF FAME will be a combination of special tributes and inductee performances. Two time ARIA Award winners, THE WAIFS, will perform a special tribute to FRANK IFIELD. On the upcoming performance Josh Cunningham from THE WAIFS said, Anyone who has had the Beatles as an opening act is an undisputed legend. It is a privilege and an honour to be asked to perform Frank Ifield's classic, 'I Remember You'. BRIAN CADD will perform two hits from his extensive repertoire - Ginger Man (with THE AUDREYS) and Little Ray of Sunshine (with RAI THISTLETHWAYTE from THIRSTY MERC). Rai said, I am honoured to be asked by Brian. My mum used to call me Little Rai (of sunshine) as a kid. I'm really looking forward to it. Joining MARCIA HINES on stage for what is sure to be a show stopping performance will be CONNIE MITCHELL, lead singer of Sydney pop-dance outfit SNEAKY SOUND SYSTEM.
RADIO BIRDMAN, HOODOO GURUS and JO JO ZEP AND THE FALCONS will each perform two of their most memorable songs on the night, each song a classic in its own right. With the live performances at the ARIA HALL OF FAME event always a highlight, this year will be no exception.
Music fans should not miss this slice of Australian history. Featuring all the live performances and magic moments, the exclusive 2007 ARIA HALL OF FAME broadcast will be screened on Vh1 on Sunday, July 22 at 7.30pm. The Triple M Network is the radio broadcast partner for the ARIA Hall of Fame. |
