Gudinski tops music industry’s most powerful list – but only one radio exec makes top 50

Street Press Australia (SPA) and theMusic.com.au have released what they and their panel of professionals reckon is the Top 50 most powerful people of the Australian music industry. Called the AMID Power 50!, after it’s sponsor Australian Music Industry Directory, the list will no doubt create controversy as it means different things for different people in different industries. 

While the number one pick, Mushroom Group boss, Michael Gudinski, is unlikely to raise many eyebrows, the fact that not one commercial radio identity has made the list is. Unless you count mcm’s Simon Joyce who got a toehold at #33. However, flying the flag for radio under the ABC banner, is triple j Manager, Chris Scaddan (pictured) who came in at number nine. He told radioinfo,  “I’ve got no real comment on commercial radio.  It’s just a list, but it does show the how highly regarded triple j is held within the music industry.”

See the full list.

In addition to the editorial team behind AMID and the directors of SPA, a number of industry professionals were consulted at the beginning of 2012 to assist with creating the AMID Power 50.  SPA and theMusiclooked at a selection criteria that represents ‘power’ in the industry, and applied it to all the possible, and probable, finalists. That criteria included an individual’s ability to ‘shape’ the scene, their involvement in industry initiatives, overall career accomplishment, economic impact and their public profile.

Michael Gudinski tops the list with his company: the Mushroom Group of Companies which has been a major influence in our industry for the past four decades, not to mention fully Australian owned.  Many music industry types cut their teeth at Mushroom and most of those are still there.  Many refer to the music business as one big family so it’s great to see a father and son both on the list with Michael’s son, Matt Gudinski, coming in at 32. 

On hearing he topped the 2012 AMID Power 50, Michael Gudinski said “Like many on this list I’ve been working in this business for a long time, and more than anyone have constantly maintained an enormous passion for Australian music.  It’s an honour to have my contribution to the music and entertainment industry recognised. I certainly wouldn’t be where I am without the support and contribution of all the people around me.  I’m very proud to have my son Matt also appear on the list. To survive, the music industry needs to evolve and adapt and it’s very exciting to see a new generation starting to shine.

Three recording artists also made the cut and we’re pleased to include John Butler, Sia and Hilltop Hoods on the list and each deservedly so.

Festivals have been redefined since the likes of Jason Ayoubi and Brett Robinson at Future Entertainment, Richie McNeill (Totem Onelove) and John Wall and Ming Gan (Fuzzy) appeared on the scene, and in the past couple of decades they’ve carved themselves a great legacy on the festival circuit.

On an equally elevated level the good folk behind Splendour in the Grass, Bluesfest, Soundwave and Big Day Out also get a deserved mention.