To celebrate this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award winner James Blundell, country nominees Haley Marsten, Melody Moko and Tori Forsyth took to the stage to perform a rendition of Blundell and James Reyne’s 1992 track Way Out West.

With a career spanning 34 years, 14 studio albums and nine Country Music Association of Australia Golden Guitars, Blundell described this award as an “acknowledgement of survival”.

“I say to all the young artists I work with that longevity is a major part of the equation. You can be fabulous for a nanosecond, but to sustain a career, well, you’ve got to be a bit more interesting,” he said.

Queensland Music Awards

Song of the year: Jem Cassar-Daley – King of Disappointment

Album of the year: Cub Sport - Jesus at the Gay Bar

Lifetime Achievement Award: James Blundell

Blues, Roots Award: Busby Marou – Conversation

Children’s Music Award: Joff Bush – Dance Mode (Bluey)

Contemporary Classical and Music for Stage: Karin Schaupp – Cybernylon

Country Award: Tori Forsyth – Sometimes

Electronic Award: Cub Sport – Songs About It

Folk Award: Minor Gold – Cannonball

Heavy Award: DZ Deathrays – My Mind is Eating Me Alive

Hip Hop Award: Ozi Jarel – Uptown

Indigenous Award: Tia Gostelow - Spring to Life

Jazz Award: Andrew Butt Trio – Le Baiser Salé

Music for Screen: Joff Bush – Cricket (Bluey)

Pop Award: Jem Cassar-Daley – King of Disappointment

Rock Award: Felony – Everyone I Like Wants To Kill Themselves

Soul, Funk, RNB Award: Sahara Beck – Compromise

World Award: Taitu’uga – Falealili Manusamoa

Highest Selling Single: Fisher & Kita Alexander – Atmosphere

Highest Selling Album: Brad Cox - Acres

People’s Choice Award Metro Venue of the Year: The Fortitude Music Hall

People’s Choice Award Regional Venue of the Year: Kings Beach Tavern

People’s Choice Award Festival of the Year: Gympie Music Muster

People’s Choice Accessible Venue of the Year: Kingston Butter Factory Cultural Precinct