A large parcel, containing a huge congratulatory card and specially-made plaque commemorating her 10th consecutive win in Queensland Female Vocalist of the Year in the Gold Medallion Media Awards, came from Central Coast broadcaster, ex-2TM announcer Mike Kennedy and his listeners.

Mike had taken the trouble to write out comments from his listeners congratulating Shaza on her success.

Conceived 10 years ago, the awards were designed to reflect radio activity and the success of Australian recording artists and tracks within each respective state, during the designated judging period.

With the Gold Medallion Media Awards, it’s a case of state-against-state and mate-against-mate, as they recognise all Australian country recording artists born in the respective states and territories, broken into four divisions: Queensland, NSW, South East (Victoria and Tasmania) and Central West (South Australia, Northern Territory and Western Australia).

The awards are administered and presented by an executive, with radio presenters and high-profile industry personalities from all over the country invited to nominate their top three country artists and tracks in each of the five categories – Male Vocalist, Female Vocalist, New Talent, Musician and Bush Balladeer of the Year.

“I was just blown away when it arrived out of the blue like that. It was something of a rarity for me as I was speechless, for once,” Shaza said.

“You don’t really think about things like that until it hits you between the eyes, like this did. It was so thoughtful of Mike and his listeners at Radio 1629AM Newcastle and Coast FM 963 to do this.”

The plaque will eventually join the hundreds of other accolades earned by Shaza, Lindsay and Peg Gilchrist on the walls of LBS Studio in Goonoo Goonoo Rd, which, by the look of it, needs some serious extensions to fit them all in!

As patron of the awards, Shaza is not certain if her winning streak will continue, as she thinks someone else might get a go at it each time.

She puts down her success to the fact the LBS crew tours nationally and frequently, getting out to a wide audience and maintaining great relationships with radio presenters across the country.

A prolific songwriter, Shaza has had more than 250 songs recorded by other artists, a large percentage of them charting extremely well.

As she has no problem coming up with new material with her fertile imagination, number 11 is looking pretty good for next year’s Gold Medallion Awards. 

IN OTHER great songwriting news, registrations are now open for the 2015 Singer-Songwriter Retreat at The DAG Sheep Station, Nundle.

Event organiser John Krsulja said the focus would firmly be on songwriting – and plenty of it – for the 2015 event in July.

“Over the past two years, we’ve discovered this is what everyone wants ... to walk away with new songs, new inspiration, new friends and to co-write with some of the big names,” John said.

“The success from the previous retreats is being felt around the country, with many artists doing their own open mic nights, recording new albums (like me!) and networking with each other between NSW, Queensland and Victoria.”

The retreat is being held from July 2 to 7, during the 2015 Hats Off to Country Festival in Tamworth and the tutors for 2015 will certainly fulfil the requirement of “writing with big names”.

Multiple award-winners Felicity Urquart, Allan Caswell, Kevin Bennett, Lachlan Bryan, Karl Broadie and Tamara Stewart will give one-on-one tuition to the participants and there will be plenty of time for collaboration and networking over the five days and nights of the retreat.

Thanks to APRA and AMCOS, The DAG recieved a grant to fund scholarships for an Indigenous artist from regional NSW and an artist from New Zealand to attend the 2015 event. 

Taylor Williams is the delighted NSW recipient of the Buddy Knox Indigenous scholarship for NSW, receiving the good news from Buddy, Luke O’Shea and John Krsulja.

New Zealand singer-songwriter Aly Cook delivered the good news to Hamilton (NZ) youngster Sarah Conlan at the 2014 National Country Music Awards in New Zealand, on her successful berth in the retreat.

You can find out all the details and register at www.thedag.com.au 

FORMER Tamworth song-stress, Deanna Rose,  now based inNewcastle, is headfirst into her first major recording project, appropriately titled HeartSong.

With the recording process complete and Dee thrilled with the end result, she’s now rattling the kitty to get the product out to the public.

This is where Country Music Notes readers come in. 

“I’ve poured my heart and soul into this record, and most of my money as well,” Dee said.

“To make sure I have enough for catfood, washing powder and guitar strings, I’m asking for a little help – as much or as little as you can offer – to go towards the mastering, pressing and distribution of my EP. 

“HeartSong was inspired by love and by being loved – by heartache and not getting what you hoped for. It will feature my bleeding heart (haha) and some impressive talent from some of my favourite musical friends.” 

Recorded in Tamworth across two locations over three years, Dee hasn’t rushed this project – she feels it’s too special to just get out there “on the cheap” and wants to ensure the quality is there in every aspect for her listeners’ enjoyment.

“It’s my first release and I wanted to make my first collection of songs something I am completely in love with,” she said.

If you have a few dollars to spare, Dee sure would be delighted to receive any financial assistance you could manage.

Visit her YouTube and have a listen. If you like what you hear, please consider donating to her crowdfunding campaign.

Every donation over $15 will ensure a a signed copy of the EP is sent to your door. Now that’s cool.

Here is the link to Dee’s crowdfunding page – www.gofundme.com/heartsong or you can visit her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/deannarosemusic