Sundowner Artists’ Simone Ubaldi and Andrew Parisi Triumph as 2026 AAM Awards’ Managers of the Year
Sundowner Artists’ Simone Ubaldi and Andrew Parisi received the prestigious Manager of the Year award at the Association of Artist Managers’ fifth annual awards ceremony, held on April 29, 2026, at Sydney’s Crowbar. This recognition comes just hours before the APRA Music Awards, highlighting the significance of the event in the Australian music industry.
Celebrating Achievements in Artist Management
Ubaldi and Parisi, who manage the internationally acclaimed punk rock band Amyl And The Sniffers, were honored for their outstanding contributions to artist management. This marks a repeat victory for the duo, who previously won the same accolade at the inaugural AAM Awards in 2022.
Amy Taylor, the lead singer of Amyl And The Sniffers, praised Ubaldi and Parisi for their unwavering support and dedication. She noted their generosity in helping the band navigate challenges, emphasizing their commitment not only as managers but also as active contributors to the music community through their live music venue and community radio involvement.
Acknowledging Industry Excellence
The Manager of the Year award was one of seven categories presented during the ceremony, recognizing significant achievements in the music industry from January 2025 to December 2025. Maggie Collins, the executive director of AAM, stated that the awards celebrate the managers who play a crucial role in shaping artist careers, driving strategies, and navigating complexities within the industry.
Collins highlighted the strength and diversity of this year’s nominees, noting that the winners exemplify modern management practices that are forward-thinking and deeply invested in their artists’ success. The finalists were selected through consultations with a panel of respected representatives from various sectors of the Australian and international music industry.
Legacy and Recognition
During the ceremony, Melita Hodge of Six Boroughs Management was awarded the Legacy Award, a tribute curated by the AAM board. Kasey Chambers, a long-time artist of Hodge, expressed her gratitude, stating that she would not be the artist she is today without Hodge’s guidance. Chambers performed a heartfelt rendition of “The Captain,” a song that marked the beginning of their collaboration.
Additionally, the Patron’s Gift Award was presented to Ben Pierpoint of Ben Pierpoint Management, while Kristie McCarthy of Neon Tiger Management received the 2026 APRA AMCOS Lighthouse Award, which includes a grant of A$5,000 to support her business endeavors.
Ceremony Highlights
The event was emceed by Matt Okine, who recently co-hosted the Queensland Music Awards. Guest speakers included John Graham, the special minister of state, who acknowledged the vital role of high-quality managers in the music industry. He emphasized the importance of recognizing the contributions of managers who guide artists through complex challenges.
The awards ceremony, presented by White Sky, has become a staple event in the Australian music calendar, taking place annually before the APRA Music Awards. This year’s gathering at the Hordern Pavilion followed last year’s event in Melbourne.
2026 AAM Awards Winners
The following awards were presented during the ceremony:
- Manager Of The Year (Presented by White Sky): Simone Ubaldi & Andrew Parisi, Sundowner Artists
Roster: Amyl and The Sniffers, Grace Cummings, The Gnomes, Girl and Girl, Nice Biscuit (Consultant Managers), Baby Cool (Consultant Managers) - Breakthrough Manager Of The Year (Presented by DMT Law Firm): Christopher Kevin Au, 24 Karat Enterprises
Roster: POSSESHOT, SPEED (Co-Manager), Shady Nasty (Co-Manager), FUKHED (Co-Manager) - Emerging Manager Of The Year Winner (Presented by PPCA): Ali Tomoana, Soul Has No Tempo
Roster: Miss Kaninna - Community Engagement Award Winner (Presented by The Orchard): Tani Webb, First Nations Focus (FNFocus)
Roster: FLEWNT, Inkabee, Taija - Legacy Award Winner (Presented by Frontier Touring): Melita Hodge, Six Boroughs Management
Roster: Kasey Chambers, Andy Golledge, Denvah, Ball Park Music (Co-Manager), Ruby Jackson (Co-Manager) - Patron’s Gift Award Winner (Presented by the AAM Patrons): Ben Pierpoint, Ben Pierpoint Management
Roster: Dino Dimitriadis, DOBBY, GODTET, Jamaica Moana (Co-Manager), Milan Ring, Ngaiire (Co-Manager), Rose Riebl, Wallace - Lighthouse Award (Presented by APRA AMCOS): Kristie McCarthy, Neon Tiger Mgmt
Roster: Riebl Tedesco McGill and The Cat Empire
As reported by www.billboard.com.
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Published on 2026-04-29 10:45:00 • By FAME Delivered News Desk