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CMAA Artist/Performer Survey 2025

About This Survey

Dear Country Music Artist (Performer/Musician/Writer),
The Country Music Association of Australia, with the assistance of State and Federal Governments and Tamworth Regional Council, is undertaking a major research project to measure the current economic value and cultural significance of country music in Australia.

Most importantly, it will provide updated data on our 2019 research to gauge the extent of the sector's post-pandemic recovery.

The information you provide in your responses to this survey will help the CMAA and industry practitioners and supporters, to continue to lobby to preserve and promote the livelihood and viability of country music artists and businesses and help ensure the continued investment that creates thousands of jobs annually.
It will also help us all to create a better experience for country music fans.

It will give us all a powerful story to tell about the music we love and, hopefully, help all of you to make better-informed decisions at all career levels.

If you choose to answer the survey anonymously, please do so.
BUT, if you provide your email at the end of the survey, you'll enter the prize draw to win - a $750 Coles Giftcard (one artist) and a VIP double pass to the 2026 Golden Guitars (one artist).
Your email WILL NOT be shared with any third party.

If you are responding as a member of a DUO or GROUP, please ensure that only ONE member completes the survey.

CONFIDENTIALITY
If you do choose to provide your contact details I personally GUARANTEE that the information you provide WILL NOT be used for any purpose other than to help create the final report which will be released to the public in mid 2025.

You WILL NOT be identified individually in that report, NOR will any individual information be communicated by me to ANY third party (including the CMAA) without your express permission.
Should you have any queries, feel free to contact me – dobenewton@gmail.com

Thank you in advance for completing the survey. It'll take some time - but it's VERY important!

Dobe Newton
Research Project Manager & CMAA President
1.What is your gender identity?
2.How old are you? 

3.What is your residential postcode?

4.Do you identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander?

5.In the last 5 YEARS, have you relocated to take advantage of increased industry opportunities ? (Select ALL that apply)
6.Are You ? (Select ALL options that apply)

7.HOW LONG have you been performing music in public (live gigs) ? (Select ONE) 

8.Which instruments do you perform with REGULARLY ? (Check ALL that apply)
9.As a performer/musician/writer, have you had FORMAL training ? (Select ALL that apply)
10.Which type of country music do you ENJOY listening to/watching ? (Select ALL that apply)

11.Which type of country music do you REGULARLY PERFORM ? (Select ALL that apply)

12.On AVERAGE, what percentage of your TIME per week is spent on your musical activities ? (select ONE)
13.Approximately what percentage of your OVERALL INCOME comes from being a musician/writer/performer ? (Select ONE)
14.How do you SUPPLEMENT your music income ? (Check ALL that apply)
15.Do you REGULARLY perform ? (Select ALL that apply)
16.If you perform SOLO, do you use a backing band ? (Select ONE)
17.What percentage of the music you REGULARLY perform is ORIGINAL ? (Select ONE)
18.How far do you REGULARLY travel to perform ? (Select ALL that apply)
19.How do you travel to LOCAL (1-20 Kms) gigs YOU PLAY ? (Select ALL that apply)
20.How do you travel to REGIONAL and/or INTERSTATE Gigs YOU PLAY ? (Select ALL that Apply)
21.In the LAST 12 MONTHS, approximately HOW MANY TIMES did you PERFORM at a LOCAL/REGIONAL FESTIVAL ? (Select ONE)
22.In the LAST 12 MONTHS, approximately HOW MANY TIMES did you PERFORM at an INTERSTATE FESTIVAL ? (Select ONE)
23.In the LAST 12 MONTHS, approximately HOW MANY TIMES did you PERFORM at an OVERSEAS FESTIVAL ? (Select ONE)
24.In the LAST 12 MONTHS, approximately HOW MANY TIMES did you perform IN-CONCERT at a Theatre/Civic Centre/Licensed Club ? (Select ONE)
25.In the LAST 12 MONTHS, approximately HOW MANY TIMES did you perform at a Hotel/Bar/Pub ? (Select ONE)
26.What percentage of your performances are FREE (no fee) ? (Select ONE)

27.When you do get paid, can you estimate your AVERAGE INCOME from a SOLO FESTIVAL appearance ? (Select ONE) 

28.When you do get paid, can you estimate your AVERAGE INCOME from a SOLO CONCERT appearance ? (Select ONE) 

29.When you do get paid, can you estimate your AVERAGE INCOME from a SOLO Club/hotel/Bar appearance ? (Select ONE) 

30.When you do get paid, can you estimate your AVERAGE INCOME from a DUO FESTIVAL appearance ? (Select ONE) 

31.When you do get paid, can you estimate your AVERAGE INCOME from a DUO CONCERT appearance ? (Select ONE) 

32.When you do get paid, can you estimate your AVERAGE INCOME from a DUO Hotel/Club/Bar appearance ? (Select ONE) 

33.When you do get paid, can you estimate your AVERAGE INCOME from a GROUP FESTIVAL appearance ? (Select ONE) 

34.When you do get paid, can you estimate your AVERAGE INCOME from a GROUP CONCERT appearance ? (Select ONE) 

35.When you do get paid, can you estimate your AVERAGE INCOME from a GROUP Hotel/Club/Bar appearance ? (Select ONE) 

36.Can you estimate what percentage of your MUSIC income comes from PAID LIVE PERFORMANCE ? (Select ONE)
37.Can you estimate what percentage of your MUSIC income comes from BUSKING ? (Select ONE)
38.Can you estimate what percentage of your MUSIC income comes from SONGWRITING ROYALTIES (APRA AMCOS/Publisher (including overseas) ? (Select ONE)
39.Can you estimate what percentage of your MUSIC income comes from RECORD SALES AT YOUR GIGS and/or YOUR WEBSITE ? (Select ONE)
40.Can you estimate what percentage of your MUSIC income comes from RECORD ROYALTIES (Label/distributor) ? (Select ONE)
41.Can you estimate what percentage of your MUSIC income comes from MERCHANDISE SALES At gigs and on your website (Other than recordings) ? (Select ONE)
42.Which are you THREE favourite FESTIVALS to play ?
43.Which are you THREE favourite CONCERT VENUES to play ?
44.Which are you THREE favourite Hotel/Club (non concert)/Bar VENUES to play ?
45.In the LAST 12 MONTHS, how many DEMO TRACKS did you RECORD ? (Select ONE)
46.In the LAST 12 MONTHS, how many TRACKS FOR COMMERCIAL RELEASE did you RECORD ? (Select ONE)
47.Where and with whom did you RECORD ? (Check ALL that apply)
48.How were the Recordings FINANCED ? (Check ALL that apply)
49.How were the recordings DISTRIBUTED ? (Check ALL that apply)
50.In the LAST 12 MONTHS, can you estimate your SALES of PHYSICAL SINGLES/EPs ? (Select ONE)

In order not to double-count, these sales questions (50-54) are for UNSIGNED artists ONLY.
IF you are SIGNED to a Major or Independent Label please GO TO Q.55
51.In the LAST 12 MONTHS, can you estimate your SALES of PHYSICAL ALBUMS ? (Select ONE)

52.In the LAST 12 MONTHS, can you estimate your SALES of DOWNLOAD SINGLES/TRACKS ? (Select ONE)

53.In the LAST 12 MONTHS, can you estimate your SALES of DOWNLOAD ALBUMS ? (Select ONE)

54.In the LAST 12 MONTHS, can you estimate your NUMBER of SINGLE TRACK STREAMS ? (Select ONE)

55.In the LAST 12 MONTHS have you created PROMOTIONAL VIDEOS ? (Select ALL that apply)
56.How were these videos FINANCED ? (Select ALL that apply)