Josh Cunningham | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Joshua Hayden Cunningham |
| Origin | New South Wales |
| Genres | Folk rock |
| Occupation(s) | Guitarist Singer-songwriter |
| Instrument(s) | Guitar Ukulele Mandolin Dobro |
| Years active | 1987–present |
| Labels | Jarrah Records |
Joshua Hayden Cunningham[1] is an Australian guitarist, vocalist and songwriter who is one-third of folk rock band the Waifs.[2] His involvement with the Waifs has resulted in a total of four Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) Award wins, all in 2003 for Up All Night and ten further nominations.[3] Cunningham has released five studio albums with The Waifs and co-writes songs with fellow members Donna Simpson and Vikki Thorn, including "Lighthouse", which was nominated for ARIA Award for Single of the Year at the ARIA Music Awards of 2003.
Cunningham has been a regular member of Missy Higgins's backing band, performed on her album On a Clear Night and appeared in her live shows. He has constructed some of the guitars he plays, both acoustic and electric.
Biography
Joshua Cunningham grew up on a farm in Moruya, New South Wales, and picked up his first guitar in 1987. He met Donna and Vikki Simpson while the two sisters played gigs in Broome, in 1992. At the time, Cunningham played bass guitar in an all-male band. Donna Simpson described, on The Waifs' official website, how they met:
"We jammed for about 10 minutes and I asked him to join the band and he said "ok"... Just like that, and we became The Waifs."
Cunningham has been a member of The Waifs ever since.
Cunningham was nominated for six awards at the 2024 Country Music Awards of Australia.[4][5]
Discography
Solo studio albums
| Title | Details | Peak chart positions |
|---|---|---|
| AUS [6] | ||
| Into Tomorrow |
|
— |
| The Song Club (with Felicity Urquhart) |
|
77 |
| Birdsong (with Felicity Urquhart) |
|
— |
Awards and nominations
AIR Awards
The Australian Independent Record Awards (commonly known informally as AIR Awards) is an annual awards night to recognise, promote and celebrate the success of Australia's Independent Music sector.
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022[8][9] | The Song Club (with Felicity Urquhart) | Best Independent Country Album or EP | Won |
ARIA Music Awards
The ARIA Music Awards is an annual ceremony presented by Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), which recognise excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of the music of Australia. They commenced in 1987.
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | The Song Club (with Felicity Urquhart) | ARIA Award for Best Country Album | Nominated | [10][11] |
Country Music Awards of Australia
The Country Music Awards of Australia is an annual awards night held in January during the Tamworth Country Music Festival. Celebrating recording excellence in the Australian country music industry. They commenced in 1973.
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Felicity Urquhart & Josh Cunningham | Group or Duo of the Year | Nominated | [12] |
| The Song Club | Alt. Country Album of the Year | Nominated | ||
| The Song Club | Album of the Year | Nominated | ||
| "Spare Parts" | Video of the Year | Nominated | ||
| 2023 | "Bogswamp" (written by Josh Cunningham) – Recorded by Felicity Urquhart & Josh Cunningham | Heritage Song of the Year | Nominated | [13] |
| 2024 | Birdsong (with Felicity Urquhart) | Album of the Year | Pending | [4][5] |
| Birdsong (with Felicity Urquhart) | Traditional County Album of the Year | Pending | ||
| "Size Up" (with Felicity Urquhart) | Single of the Year | Pending | ||
| "Size Up" (with Felicity Urquhart) | Song of the Year | Pending | ||
| "Size Up" (with Felicity Urquhart) (dir. Duncan Toombs & The Filmery) | Video of the Year | Pending | ||
| Josh Cunningham & Felicity Urquhart | Group or Duo of the Year | Pending |
References
- ↑ ""Highway One" at ASCAP ACE Title Search". American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP). Retrieved 18 February 2010.
- ↑ Spencer, Chris; Zbig Nowara; Paul McHenry (2002) [1987]. "Waifs, The". The Who's Who of Australian Rock. Noble Park, Vic.: Five Mile Press. ISBN 1-86503-891-1. Archived from the original on 29 February 2012. Retrieved 18 February 2010. Note: [online] version established at White Room Electronic Publishing Pty Ltd in 2007 and was expanded from the 2002 edition.
- ↑ "ARIA Awards winners by artist - The Waifs". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Retrieved 18 February 2010.
- 1 2 "Toyota 52nd Golden Guitar Awards". TCMF. 20 November 2023. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
- 1 2 "Nominees Announced for the 52nd Country Music Awards". TCMF. 20 November 2023. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
- ↑ "The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 17 May 2021". The ARIA Report. No. 1628. Australian Recording Industry Association. 17 May 2021. p. 6.
- ↑ "Felicity Urquhart & Josh Cunningham 'Birdsong'". ABC. 29 September 2023. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
- ↑ "Nominees Announced For AIR Independent Music Awards 2022". musicfeeds. 1 June 2022. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
- ↑ Tyler Jenke (5 August 2022). "Genesis Owusu Wins Big At The 2022 AIR Awards". MusicFeeds. Retrieved 6 August 2022.
- ↑ Kelly, Vivienne (20 October 2021). "ARIA Awards nominees revealed: Amy Shark & Genesis Owusu lead the charge". The Music Network. Archived from the original on 20 October 2021. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
- ↑ Gbogbo, Mawunyo (24 November 2021). "You could dub this year's awards the Hip Hop and R'n'B ARIAs". ABC News. Retrieved 25 November 2021.
- ↑ "Toyota Golden Guitar award nominees announced for event's 50th year". On with the Show. 26 November 2021. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
- ↑ "Tamworth Toyota Golden Guitar Award Nominees Announced". The Music. 22 November 2022. Retrieved 23 November 2022.