We’re calling on music fans to help shine a spotlight on West Australian talent by nominating artists and songwriters they believe deserve recognition in the WA Country Music Awards. Artists and songwriters are also encouraged to put themselves forward.

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​To assist with the pre-judging process, and if possible, please include a web link showcasing your nominated artist’s work. You may nominate in multiple categories, but only one (1) song can be submitted per category. The same song cannot be entered in more than one song genre. Each artist must be submitted on separate nomination forms. Please do not put multiple artists on one nomination form.

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Nominations close Friday 15 August 2025. After the deadline, the Country Music Club of Boyup Brook will review all nominations for eligibility. Eligible nominees will then be contacted to confirm if they wish to proceed.

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Those who choose to continue must submit their material for judging no later than Friday 12 September 2025, after which entries will be assessed by a panel of music industry professionals.​​

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Please note: All winners must be available to accept their award in person at the 2026 Boyup Brook Country Music Muster.

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ENTRY CRITERIA

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West Australian Country Music Awards Group/Duo of the Year

A Duo consists of two artists who regularly perform together and have developed a distinctive sound unique to their collaboration.

A Band or Group is made up of two or more musicians who perform vocal and/or instrumental music under a shared identity or band name.

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​Entrants in this category must meet all of the following:

• Be over 18 years of age as of 1 January 2026.

• The entrants in this category cannot enter in either Male Artist of the Year or Female Artist of the Year.

• Have released a single, EP, album, or video clip between 1 August 2024 and 31 August 2025.

• Be actively pursuing a music career through live performances and/or touring.

• Maintain a visible online presence with some form of media interaction (e.g., radio or television airplay/interviews).

• Have been a resident of Western Australia for the past five (5) years, with WA as their home base.

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West Australian Country Music Awards Male Artist

• Open to all WA male solo performers over 18 years of age as of 1 January 2026.

• The entrant cannot enter the Group/Duo of the Year category in the same year.

• The entrant has released a single, EP, album or video clip between 1 August 2024 and 31 August 2025.

• Pursuing a career in the music industry with live gigs and/or touring.

• Have an established online presence with media interaction including televised and radio play/interviews.

• Has been a resident of Western Australia for the past five (5) years and classify WA as their home base.

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West Australian Country Music Awards Female Artist

• Open to all WA female solo performers over 18 years of age as of 1 January 2026.

• The entrant cannot enter the Group/Duo of the Year category in the same year.

• The entrant has released a single, EP, album or video clip between 1 August 2024 and 31 August 2025.

• Pursuing a career in the music industry with live gigs and/or touring.

• Have an established online presence with media interaction including televised and radio play/interviews.

• Has been a resident of Western Australia for the past five (5) years and classify WA as their home base.

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West Australian Country Music Awards Alt Country Song of the Year

'Alt Country' generally refers to a broad 'Americana' genre of music incorporating elements of Roots, Folk, Bluegrass, R&B and Blues music.

• Single entered must be available for purchase or can be downloaded.

• Artist has not entered another Alt Country Song of the Year entry for 2026.

• The entrant has released the single between 1 August 2024 and 31 August 2025.

• Has been a resident of Western Australia for the past five (5) years and classify WA as their home base.

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West Australian Country Music Awards Contemporary Country Song of the Year

Contemporary country music is a genre of country music that is characterised by its use of electronic instruments and pop or rock orientated melodies.

• Single entered must be available for purchase or can be downloaded.

• Artist has not entered another Contemporary Country Song of the Year entry for 2026.

• Entrant has released the single between 1 August 2024 and 31 August 2025.

• Has been a resident of Western Australia for the past five (5) years and classify WA as their home base.

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West Australian Country Music Awards Traditional/Heritage Country Song of the Year

'Traditional/Heritage' country music generally refers to a genre which draws musical influences from past generational music, for example, bush balladeers like Slim Dusty, or outlaw country like Merle Haggard etc. Storytelling and Australian Heritage themes are often incorporated.

• Single entered must be available for purchase or can be downloaded.

• Artist has not entered another Traditional/Heritage Country Song of the Year entry for 2026.

• Entrant has released the single between 1 August 2024 and 31 August 2025.

• Has been a resident of Western Australia for the past five (5) years and classify WA as their home base.

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West Australian Country Music Awards EP of the Year

• Album/EP must be available for purchase or can be downloaded.

• Entrant has released the body of work between 1 August 2024 and 31 August 2025.

• Entrant has not entered another EP of the Year entry for 2026.

• EP is up to six (6) tracks.

• Has been a resident of Western Australia for the past five (5) years and classify WA as their home base.

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West Australian Country Music Awards Album of the Year

• Album/EP must be available for purchase or can be downloaded.

• Entrant has released the body of work between 1 August 2024 and 31 August 2025.

• Entrant has not entered another Album of the Year entry for 2026.

• Album is a minimum of seven (7) tracks.

• Has been a resident of Western Australia for the past five (5) years and classify WA as their home base.

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West Australian Country Music Awards Video Clip of the Year

• Artist has not entered another Video Clip of the Year entry for 2025.

• Entrant has released the video clip between 1 August 2024 and 31 August 2025.

• Must be no longer than five (5) minutes.

• Entry must be just one song or melody, not a mix.

• Video clips must be made available online for our judges to view.

• Has been a resident of Western Australia for the past five (5) years and classify WA as their home base.

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West Australian Country Music Awards OPEN Songwriter of the Year

• Open to all ages.

• Can nominate one (1) song.

• The songwriter/s does not have to be the performing artist on the track.

• Submit lyrics in a WORD document.

• Submit songwriter/s full information on the application.

• 50% of the titled songwriter/s must be a resident of Western Australia for the past five (5) years and classify WA as their home base.

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West Australian Country Music Awards Emerging Artist of the Year

• Open to all WA performers beginning to pursue a career in the country music industry with any live gigs and/or touring with online presence, media interaction, including televised and/or radio play/interviews.

• Emerging entrant cannot enter Male Artist of the Year, Female Artist of the Year or Group/Duo of the Year.

• Entrant has released a single during 1 August 2024 and 31 August 2025.

• Must be unsigned and over 18 years of age as of 1 January 2026.

• Will be rendered ineligible if having previously won in either Group-Duo, Male, Female, Album, EP, Video Clip, Emerging or any of the Song categories of the West Australian Country Music Awards.

• Has been a resident of Western Australia for the past five (5) years and classify WA as their home base.

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West Australian Country Music Awards Junior Artist of the Year

• Open to all WA solo performers who have not won a WA Country Music Award in the senior sections.

• Must be unsigned and under 18 years of age as of 1 January 2026.

• Has entered material that honestly reflects the entrants vocal and performance ability during the current eligibility period.

• Has been a resident of Western Australia for the past five (5) years and classify WA as their home base.