National Songwriters Awards 2019 feat. Mike McClellan, Mental As Anything, Canterbury Hurlstone Park RSL 30th October 2019

The ASA’s National Songwriting Awards is an important annual gathering of songwriters, entertainment industry professionals, and fans of Australian music! Described by the press as ‘a glittering sit-down dinner – an unmissable fixture on the music industry calendar’, the night showcases the winning songs from each category in the Australian Songwriting Contest. The live performances guarantee a fascinating insight into current songwriting trends and fresh Australian talent. All Top 10 placegetters are acknowledged on stage by a range of celebrity presenters and sponsors, providing great networking opportunities.

This year ‘Song And Dance Man’ Mike McClellan performed and was interviewed as Special Guest Artist, and iconic Australian songwriting team Greedy Smith and Martin Plaza (Mental As Anything) were inducted by Glenn A Baker into the Australian Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Glenn A Baker said:

I took the stage at the Canterbury-Hurlstone Park Wednesday night to induct Greedy Smith & Martin Plaza of Mental As Anything into the Australian Songwriter’s Hall Of Fame. Illness did not allow Martin to be in the room (he has also withdrawn from the touring band for the past few years). I have been doing these inductions for more than a decade and been privileged to have honoured Wright/Vanda/Young, Brewster/Neeson/Brewster, Don Walker, Steve Kilbey, Ross Wilson, Brian Cadd, Kate Ceberano, Garth Porter, Hutchence (posthumously)/ Farriss, Johnny Young and, by video, Iva Davies.

There was an incredible warmth in the room for Greedy – one that comes with a run of 25 endearing hits from a hugely admired band of loveable lunatics. Hits that really have become part of our lives. I had an earworm for all the following day – if you leave me can I come too just raced from one side of my brain (brain) to the other. All day. And, though I don’t drink, The Nips Are Getting Better. We loved them then, we love them now. Yay Mentals.

I was pleased to be able to acknowledge the contributions to the Mentals canon of Reg Mombassa and Peter O’Doherty during my speech. They are all, we are all Berserk Warriors!