We're inviting country music fans across Western Australia to help celebrate and recognise outstanding local talent by nominating artists and songwriters for the WA Country Music Awards. Artists and songwriters are also encouraged to nominate themselves.

 

To assist with the eligibility review process, please include a web link showcasing the nominated artist's work where possible. Nominations may be submitted across multiple categories; however, only one (1) song may be entered per category, and the same song cannot be entered in more than one song genre category. A separate nomination form must be completed for each artist. Please do not include multiple artists on a single form.

 

Nominations close on Monday, 31 August 2026. Following the closing date, the Country Music Club of Boyup Brook will assess all nominations for eligibility. Eligible nominees will then be invited to confirm their participation in the Awards process.

 

Artists who wish to proceed must submit their judging materials by Monday, 21 September 2026. Entries will then be assessed by an independent panel of music industry professionals.

 

Please note: It is preferable that award winners be available to accept their award in person at the 2027 Boyup Brook Country Music Muster.

 

ENTRY CRITERIA Entrants must meet all of the following criteria in their selected category.

 

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.

• Be over 18 years of age as of 1 January 2027.

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

• Have released a single, EP, album, or video clip between 1 September 2025 and 31 August 2026.

• 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.

 

West Australian Country Music Awards Male Artist

• Open to all WA male solo performers over 18 years of age as of 1 January 2027.

• 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 September 2025 and 31 August 2026.

• 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.

 

West Australian Country Music Awards Female Artist

• Open to all WA female solo performers over 18 years of age as of 1 January 2027.

• 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 September 2025 and 31 August 2026.

• 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.

 

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 2027.

• The entrant has released the single between 1 September 2025 and 31 August 2026.

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

 

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 2027.

• Entrant has released the single between 1 September 2025 and 31 August 2026.

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

 

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 2027.

• Entrant has released the single between 1 September 2025 and 31 August 2026.

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

 

West Australian Country Music Awards EP of the Year

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

• Entrant has released the body of work between 1 September 2025 and 31 August 2026.

• Entrant has not entered another EP of the Year entry for 2027.

• 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.

 

West Australian Country Music Awards Album of the Year

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

• Entrant has released the body of work between 1 September 2025 and 31 August 2026.

• Entrant has not entered another Album of the Year entry for 2027.

• 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.

 

West Australian Country Music Awards Video Clip of the Year

• Artist has not entered another Video Clip of the Year entry for 2027.

• Entrant has released the video clip between 1 September 2025 and 31 August 2026.

• 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.

 

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 September 2025 and 31 August 2026.

• Must be unsigned and over 18 years of age as of 1 January 2027.

• 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.

 

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 2027.

• 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.