Memory of music greats to open doors for industry hopefuls

The late Grant McLennan and legendary Billy Thorpe will continue to take Queensland music to the world, with Fellowships in their names set to open doors for the State’s up-and-coming artists in 2008.

Premier Anna Bligh today declared entries open for the 2008 Grant McLennan Memorial Fellowship and announced the inaugural Billy Thorpe Scholarship would also be held this year.

“Grant McLennan and Billy Thorpe left an indelible mark on the Queensland and Australian music scenes and these fellowships not only honour their contribution, but give emerging Queensland artists an opportunity to follow in their footsteps,” Ms Bligh said.

“As a founding member of the internationally successful Brisbane band The Go-Betweens in the late 1970s, Grant McLennan was one of the country’s greatest song-writers.

“The $20,000 Fellowship in his name gives a talented Queensland songwriter the chance to spend time in one of the world’s cultural hotspots – either London, New York or Berlin – to draw some creative inspiration.

“Until he died in 2006, Grant found real inspiration in travelling and performing overseas and these three cities had a significant impact on him as a songwriter.

“This Fellowship gives the lucky winner a chance to walk in his shoes.

“Toowoomba songwriter Greg Charles was the inaugural winner of the Grant McLennan Memorial Fellowship last year and will soon travel to New York to experience the city and write, perform and record his music.

“I encourage Queensland’s new and emerging songwriters to apply for this award so they can go on to be great ambassadors for our state on the world music stage,” she said.

Arts Minister Rod Welford said the fellowship was developed in consultation with The Go-Betweens co-founder Robert Forster and the McLennan family, who were keen to see entries from regional songwriters.

“The selection panel is looking for a contemporary music songwriter who has the talent to follow in Grant’s footsteps and who can take the best advantage of this opportunity,” Mr Welford said.

Applications close on 31 March and the winner will be announced in July.

The Premier also announced today that entries for the inaugural Billy Thorpe Scholarship would open next month.

“It’s hard to believe it has been a year since Billy Thorpe passed away on 28 February 2007,” Ms Bligh said.

“Billy Thorpe spent his formative years in Brisbane and by the age of 17 was an experienced singer and musician with numerous tours, recordings and television appearances under his belt.

“The $10,000 Billy Thorpe Scholarship will give an up-and-coming Queensland musician the opportunity to get their foot in the door and make the right contacts for a successful career in music,” she said.

Mr Welford said: “As part of the scholarship, the winner will get the chance to record tracks with an established producer, to prepare a professional career strategy and a meeting with representatives from industry heavyweight Chugg Entertainment – Billy Thorpe’s long-term management team.”

“Applications for the inaugural Billy Thorpe Scholarship will open on Tuesday 18 March and close on 30 April. The winner will be announced in August,” he said.

The annual Billy Thorpe Scholarship was developed in consultation with the Thorpe family and Chugg Entertainment to support the education and training of aspiring Queensland musicians.

For more information, or to access the guidelines and application forms, visit the Arts Queensland website at www.arts.qld.gov.au or call 1800 175 531.


Media: 3224 4500 (Premier’s office) or 3237 1000 (Minister Welford’s office)



27 February 2008