The inaugural Jack Awards, presented by Jack Daniels to recognise the activities of the Australian live music sector, will be held on Tuesday June 8 at City Recital Hall in Sydney. Over 80,000 votes were cast by the public on the www.thejackawards.com website since January, report organisers Peer Group Media. The nominations were selected by an independent music industry panel.

Performing on the night are You Am I (who head the nominations tally), Tex Perkins and the Dark Horses, and an all-star jam lead by The Superjesus' Sarah McLeod. The design group The Revolution has gone for a black carpet entrance, production Manager Matt Doherty is from Australian Event Services (Big Day Out).

Nominees are:

Live Band: Jet, Magic Dirt, Powderfinger, The Living End, The Waifs, You Am I

Best Male Performer: Alex Lloyd, Craig Nichols (The Vines), John Butler, Pete Murray, Tex Perkins, Tim Rogers (You Am I).

Best Female Performer: Adalita (Magic Dirt), Katie Noonan (George), Katy Steele (Little Birdy), Trey, Sarah Blasko, Sarah McLeod (The Superjesus).

Best Lead Guitarist: Brad Shepherd (Hoodoo Gurus/ The Persian Rugs), Charlie Owen (The Dark Horses), Chris Cheney (The Living End), Davey Lane (You Am I/The Pictures), Kurt Goedhart (The Butterfly Effect), Pat Davern (Grinspoon).

Best Bass Guitarist: Andy Kent (You Am I), Dean Turner (Magic Dirt), Joe Hansen (Grinspoon), Mark Wilson (Jet), Scott Owen (The Living End), Stephanie Ashworth (Something For Kate).

Best Drummer: Adam Robertson (Magic Dirt), Ben Gillies (Silverchair), Chris Cester (Jet), Jon Coghill (Powderfinger), Presser (Gerling), Russell Hopkinson (You Am I).

Best Newcomer: Jet, Little Birdy, The Cat Empire, The Mess Hall, The Sleepy Jackson, Thirsty Merc.

Best Live TV Appearance: George at Opening Ceremony, Rugby World Cup 2003, Powderfinger on Rove August 2003, Powderfinger on the ARIAs, 2003; Sonic Animation on Channel [V] Music Bus 2003, The Sleepy Jackson on the ARIAs, 2003, Waikiki on The Panel 2003

Best Tour Art: Big Day Out Festival 2003, Dallas Crane - "Fist Full of Dallas" Tour, Livid Festival 2003, Magic Dirt - "Tough Love" Tour, Silverchair - "Across The Night" Tour, You Am I - "Whisky Eggs & Bacon" Tour

Best Live Venue:
ACT ANU - Canberra Theatre, The Green Room, Tilleys, University of Canberra,
NSW - Annandale Hotel, Annandale, Enmore Theatre, Enmore, Great Northern Hotel, Byron Bay, Hopetoun Hotel, Surry Hills, Metro Theatre, Sydney.
NT - Browns' Mart venue, Darwin, The Groove, Nightcliff, Nirvana, Darwin, Pub Bar, Darwin, Discovery, Darwin.
QLD -Arena, Fortitude Valley, The Troubador, Fortitude Valley, Ric's Bar, Fortitude Valley, The Tivoli, Fortitude Valley, The Zoo, Fortitude Valley
VIC - Corner Hotel, Richmond, Esplanade Hotel, St Kilda, Forum, Melbourne, Hi Fi Bar & Ballroom, Melbourne, The Tote Hotel, Collingwood
SA - Heaven, Adelaide, Governor Hindmarsh, Grace EmilyThe Adelaide Uni Bar, Thebarton Theatre, Torrensville
WA - Amplifier/ The Globe, Belvoir Amphitheatre, Fly By Night, Fremantle, The Rosemount Hotel, Perth, Settlers Tavern, Margaret River

Best live rock photographer: Stephen Booth, Christopher Morris, Bill Green, Tony Mott, Daniel Guerra, Peter Ottery, Sophie Howarth, Marty Philby, Jack Mannix John Stanton

The Gentleman Jack Award is akin to a Hall Of Fame, for contribution to Australian live music. Winner of this award will be announced before the awards.