Sundowner Artists’ Simone Ubaldi and Andrew Parisi, managers of punk rockers Amyl And The Sniffers, won Manager of the Year at the Association of Artist Managers’ (AAM) Awards. The duo, praised for their dedication and resilience, also run a live music venue and contribute to community radio. The AAM Awards recognize outstanding managers driving artist careers, with this year’s winners setting a benchmark for modern music management.
Sundowner Artists’ Simone Ubaldi and Andrew Parisi were the big winners at the Association of Artist Managers ’, presented lunchtime Wednesday at Sydney’s Crowbar, just hours before the APRA Music Awards.
The pair, who manage the international breakthrough punk rockers Amyl And The Sniffers, won manager of the year, the same category they nabbed at the inaugural AAM Awards in 2022.
“They’ve helped each of the Sniffers through areas they didn’t need to which is a testament to their generosity,” explains Amy Taylor, the ARIA Award winning band’s firebrand singer, in a statement. “Not only are they music managers, they also run a live music venue and contribute to community radio, and love going to watch live music. They’re not persuaded by dodgy deals and they’re fiercely protective, as anyone whose come in their crossfires I’m sure is aware of.
Their job isn’t easy but they’ve not only managed us as a band they’ve also managed to not blow their brains out dealing with our shit for eight-odd years. ” Manager of the year was one of seven categories announced on the day, all recognizing notable achievements and activity from January 2025 to December 2025.
The AAM Awards “recognize the managers at the center of artist careers; the ones driving strategy, navigating complexity, and making the work happen behind the scenes,” comments AAM executive director Maggie Collins. This year’s nominees, she continues “reflect the strength, diversity and ambition of our community. Our winners set the benchmark for modern management: forward-thinking, resilient, and deeply invested in their artists’ success.
But they’re also part of a broader ecosystem of managers who are all shaping the future of Australian music. ” Finalists were determined thorough consultation with a panel of respected representatives from different areas of the Australian and international music industry. Also on the day, AAM presented the Legacy Award to Melita Hodge of Six Boroughs Management, an honor curated by the trade body’s board.
Hodge’s long-time artist Kasey Chambers, the ARIA Hall of Fame inducted country legend, was on hand to pay tribute with words and song.
“I wouldn’t be the artist, I wouldn’t be the woman, I am today without you,” Chambers remarked, holding back tears. “Let’s do it for another 30 years, if you can put up with me,” she quipped. Chambers then performed a solo rendition of “The Captain,” the first song she and Hodge worked on together. The performance ended in happy tears.
Also during the ceremony, the Patron’s Gift Award to Ben Pierpoint of Ben Pierpoint Management, an accolade curated by the AAM patrons, and the 2026 APRA AMCOS Lighthouse Award was presented to Neon Tiger Mgmt’s Kristie McCarthy. In addition to the award, McCarthy receives a grant valued at A$5,000 to support her business and professional pursuits.
“Receiving the Lighthouse Award at this point in my management career feels incredibly special – just days before my daughter’s first birthday and only a month after launching my own business,” she remarked. “Like many first-time mothers, I was apprehensive about how I would manage maternity leave, especially as an artist manager.
I’m so grateful to my former teammates for looking after The Cat Empire while I was away, and to Felix and Ollie for taking this next step with me as I begin Neon Tiger Mgmt. ” Matt Okine emceed the ceremony, a week after he co-hosted the Queensland Music Awards on the Gold Coast. Guest speakers included John Graham, special minister of state, minister for the arts, minister for transport, minister for music and the night-time economy.
“When you look at the music industry, so much has challenged the years, but one of the constants has been a value of high quality managers, guiding us through an incredibly complicated system, and changes every time you turn around,” he remarked from the podium. “That’s why it’s so good to be here to acknowledge the role that managers part.
”, this year’s show, like all previous editions, was a lunchtime gathering before the APRAs, hosted this year at the Hordern Pavilion. Last year’s edition was presented in Melbourne. The not-for-profit AAM boasts more than 400 artist manager members, representing over 1,250 Australian artists globally.
Read more Manager Of The Year — Simone Ubaldi & Andrew Parisi, Sundowner Artists Roster: Amyl and The Sniffers, Grace Cummings, The Gnomes, Girl and Girl, Nice Biscuit , Baby Cool Breakthrough Manager Of The Year — Christopher Kevin Au, 24 Karat EnterprisesEmerging Manager Of The Year Winner — Ali Tomoana, Soul Has No TempoCommunity Engagement Award Winner — Tani Webb, First Nations Focus Legacy Award Winner — Melita Hodge, Six Boroughs Management Roster: Kasey Chambers, Andy Golledge, Denvah, Ball Park Music , Ruby Jackson Roster: Dino Dimitriadis, DOBBY, GODTET, Jamaica Moana , Milan Ring, Ngaiire , Rose Riebl, WallaceRoster: Riebl Tedesco McGill and The Cat Empire
Music Management AAM Awards Amyl And The Sniffers Australian Music Artist Managers
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
2026 ACM Awards: The Complete Winners ListSee the complete list of winners at the 2026 ACM Awards.
Read more »
Jordon Hudson awards title to boyfriend Bill Belichick after her latest cheerleading championshipBill Belichick is officially a WAG.
Read more »
ICC awards $8.4 million in reparations to victims of convicted former police chief in MaliThe International Criminal Court has ordered an al-Qaida-linked leader to pay 7.2 million euros in reparations for atrocities in Timbuktu, Mali. Al Hassan Ag Abdoul Aziz Ag Mohamed Ag Mahmoud was convicted of torture and religious persecution in 2024 and sentenced to 10 years in prison.
Read more »
ICC awards $8.4 million in reparations to victims of al-Qaida-linked leader in MaliThe International Criminal Court has ordered an al-Qaida-linked leader to pay 7.2 million euros in reparations for atrocities in Timbuktu in Mali.
Read more »
ICC awards $8.4 million in reparations to victims of al-Qaida-linked leader in MaliThe International Criminal Court has ordered an al-Qaida-linked leader to pay 7.2 million euros in reparations for atrocities in Timbuktu in Mali.
Read more »
George Clooney’s Big Night at the Chaplin Awards was a Hollywood Walk of Fame ReunionLife imitated art for George Clooney at the 51st annual Chaplin Award Gala— Film at Lincoln Center’s black-tie ceremony—on Monday evening. As the actor and humanitarian received the prestigious award, he referenced his latest movie, Jay Kelly, in which his aging movie star character is celebrated at a tribute show that’s not dissimilar.
Read more »