Troy Cassar-Daley's shares proud Dad moment as Queensland Music Award nominations enter final countdown.
10 days left for Artists, Venues and Festivals to self-nominate for the 2026 awards.
Image: QMA 2022 Troy and Jem Cassar-Daley steal the show. Photographer: Aimee Catt
From grassroots to household names, the Queensland Music Awards (QMAs) has a 20-year history of celebrating the best music that Queensland has to offer including Australian Country Music royalty, Troy Cassar-Daley, who said
The Queensland Music Awards, as my home state's awards, have always held a special place in my heart. They shine a light on the incredible talent who are sharing Queensland's stories and every year they seem to grow in significance.
The 2025 QMA Album of the Year Winner, who has also received six ARIA Awards and 45 Golden Guitars said while taking home QMAs is always nice, his proudest moments from the awards were those that celebrated his daughter, Jem Cassar-Daley.
Jem and I performed together at the awards ceremony in 2022 - the first year she took home the Indigenous Award. It was so special, and I didn't think I could be prouder, but then she took home Song of the Year a few years later and the Indigenous and Pop Awards again in another year.
The proud Dad emphasised the important role the QMAs play in shaping Queensland’s musical future for generations to come.
These awards not only celebrate Queensland's artists, they help us nurture the next generation - they are a true celebration of Queensland music, culture and community, and I’m honoured to be part of their story. I absolutely encourage all Queensland musicians to apply.
Presented at what’s known as the Queensland Music Industry’s night of nights, the QMAs’ ceremony has always featured living legends and icons in the making with names like Patience Hodgson (The Grates), Katie Noonan and Cub Sport also amongst previous QMAs performance alumni. Set to take place in April 2026, with a date to be confirmed, the CEO of QMusic Kris Stewart said,
The QMAs are about celebrating the best of Queensland’s Music. We want to hear music from every corner of our incredible state, from the Cape to the Condamine
Applications for the 2026 awards close on Monday, 1 December 2025 – there will be NO EXTENSIONS.
Open to all artists who identify as Queenslanders*, the QMAs began as the QSong awards in 2006 and has celebrated names like Amy Shark, Keith Urban, The Veronicas and Sheppard.
For further information / to nominate or apply for the Queensland Music Awards or QMusic Scholarships and Prizes please visit the QMusic website.
* to be eligible to enter an artist must either: Currently reside in Queensland; Spend a minimum of 75% of the year (9 months) living in Queensland at a residential address between 1st December 2024 and 30th November 2025; OR have started the development of their career in Queensland AND continue to publicly identify and be promoted as a Queensland artist.
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